Side by side
Sober vs VKD3D
Both stand on game compatibility layers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Linux
Sober offers Linux desktop users an unofficial way to run Roblox, with configurable graphics and input options. Its experimental status, hardware requirements, and single-instance limit are important considerations.
Visit Sober Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose VKD3D if you need libraries and tools for porting Direct3D applications or translating shaders across supported formats. Look elsewhere or add another library if your application needs DXGI windowing, swapchains, or adapter enumeration supplied by VKD3D itself.
Visit VKD3DThe facts
| Sober | VKD3D | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Not published |
| Plans published | 1 | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sober.vinegarhq.org | gitlab.winehq.org |
| On game compatibility layers | #17 of 27 | #21 of 27 |
Sober: what it does well
- Free Flatpak distribution through Flathub
- Supports Vulkan and configurable OpenGL
- Offers gamepad and touchscreen options
- Ads and telemetry disabled by default, per Flathub
What to know first
- Experimental software may have bugs or instability
- Cannot run multiple Roblox instances
- Closed source
- Requires Linux kernel 5.11 or newer and specific graphics support
VKD3D: what it does well
- Free and open source under LGPL version 2.1 or later.
- Implements low-level Direct3D 12 on Vulkan.
- Translates among HLSL, DXIL, DXBC, SPIR-V, and Direct3D formats.
- Includes HLSL compilation and DXBC inspection utilities.
- Provides familiar Direct3D entry points including D3D12CreateDevice() and D3DCompile().
What to know first
- Does not implement DXGI interfaces for adapter enumeration, swapchains, or windowing.
- GLSL and Metal Shading Language output are works in progress.
- Building requires several headers and tools, including Perl and libjson-perl.