What is Lutris?

Lutris is an open-source game manager for Linux that acts as a unified launcher for running native, Windows, emulated, and web-based games. It supports a wide range of platforms—like Steam, GOG, Epic Games, and emulators—using configurable "runners" such as Wine, Proton, DOSBox, and more. Lutris simplifies the process of setting up complex game environments by offering one-click installation scripts maintained by the community, making it an essential tool for Linux gamers seeking to manage and launch all their games from a single interface.

Key Features of Lutris:

1. Unified launcher for native, Windows, and emulated games
2. Support for multiple runners: Wine, Proton, DOSBox, RetroArch, etc.
3. One-click game installation scripts from the community
4. Built-in Wine and Proton version management
5. Seamless emulator integration (Dolphin, PCSX2, RPCS3, etc.)
6. Per-game configuration: environment variables, DLL overrides, DXVK/VKD3D
7. Game import and scanning features
8. Integration with Steam, GOG, Epic Games, and more
9. Open-source and community-driven platform

What is Bottles?

Bottles is an open-source Linux application designed to simplify running Windows software and games using Wine within isolated, customizable environments called “bottles.” Each bottle acts as a self-contained container with its own configuration, dependencies, and runtime settings, offering better stability and control. Bottles provides a modern, user-friendly interface with built-in tools for managing DXVK, VKD3D, environment variables, sandboxing, and preconfigured bottle types (Gaming, Application, Custom), making it ideal for users who need reliable and repeatable Windows app setups on Linux.

Key Features of Bottles:

1. Isolated Wine environments (“bottles”) with custom configurations
2. Predefined bottle types: Gaming, Application, and Custom
3. Built-in dependency manager for DXVK, VKD3D, .NET, and more
4. GUI-based configuration for environment variables and DLL overrides
5. Snapshot and restore functionality for bottle rollback
6. Integrated sandboxing support using Bubblewrap
7. Flatpak-native design for secure and portable deployments
8. Built-in tools for log viewing, debugging, and runtime management
9. Modern GTK4-based user interface for ease of use
10. Open-source and actively developed with frequent updates

Lutris and Bottles are both powerful Linux tools for running Windows games and applications, but they serve different purposes. Lutris is a game-focused launcher that integrates with platforms like Steam, Epic, and GOG, offering one-click installers and support for emulators, making it ideal for managing large game libraries. In contrast, Bottles focuses on creating isolated Wine environments with customizable settings and built-in dependency management, perfect for running Windows apps or games in stable, sandboxed containers. Lutris excels in automation and gaming integration, while Bottles offers precision and control for Wine-based setups.

#1 Key Differences between Lutris and Bottles

1.1 Core Purpose

Lutris is a unified gaming platform for Linux that simplifies launching and managing native, Windows, and emulated games from various stores.
Bottles is a modular Wine environment manager tailored for running Windows apps and games in isolated, customizable containers on Linux.

➤ Lutris is ideal for gamers managing diverse libraries, while Bottles suits users needing precise control over Windows app environments.

1.2 Multi-App Handling per Environment

Lutris typically manages one Wine prefix per game or app, optimizing each environment individually. While technically possible to share a prefix among multiple entries, it’s not the default workflow and may require manual setup.
Bottles is intentionally designed to host multiple applications within a single bottle, functioning like a lightweight, self-contained Windows workspace where apps coexist with shared dependencies and settings.

➤ Bottles is ideal for running and managing several apps in a unified environment, while Lutris is best for isolating each game or app for maximum compatibility.

1.3 Game Store Integration

Lutris offers native integration with platforms like Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Origin, and Battle.net through community-provided install scripts that automate launcher setup and configuration.
Bottles does not support direct integration with game stores; all installations—including launchers or games—must be performed manually within each bottle.

➤ Lutris simplifies store-based game installations, while Bottles provides a blank canvas for manual setups.

1.4 Emulated Game Support

Lutris features built-in support for popular emulators such as Dolphin, RetroArch, PCSX2, RPCS3, and more, allowing users to manage and launch emulated games with per-title configurations.
Bottles lacks native emulator integration; while you can manually install emulators inside a bottle, it offers no dedicated tools or workflows for emulation.

➤ Lutris is ideal for managing and launching emulated titles, whereas Bottles is not optimized for retro or console gaming setups.

1.5 AAA & DRM-Free Game Support

Lutris provides strong support for AAA games by streamlining launcher installations (Steam, Epic, Origin, etc.) and offers one-click setups for DRM-free titles from platforms like GOG and Itch.io.
Bottles supports DRM-free games through manual EXE/MSI installation inside bottles, but setting up AAA launchers requires manual dependency handling and runtime tuning.

➤ Lutris offers a more seamless experience for both AAA and indie DRM-free games, while Bottles is better suited for hands-on, manual setups.

1.6 Flatpak & Sandboxing

Lutris is available as a Flatpak, but due to file system restrictions, it may require additional permission tweaks (e.g., via Flatseal) to access game directories or external drives.
Bottles is built with Flatpak in mind and includes native sandboxing support through Bubblewrap, ensuring better isolation, security, and compatibility within containerized environments.

➤ Bottles delivers a Flatpak-native, sandboxed experience by design, whereas Lutris may need manual adjustments to function optimally in Flatpak environments.

1.7 User Interface

Lutris features a minimalist, launcher-style interface focused on organizing and launching games, with straightforward access to runners and configurations.
Bottles offers a modern GTK-based interface with tabs, toggles, and tool panels that expose deep configuration options in an intuitive layout.

➤ Lutris prioritizes simplicity for gamers, while Bottles provides a visually rich UI tailored for advanced environment customization.

#2 Advanced Differences between Lutris and Bottles 

2.1 Dependency & Runtime Handling

Lutris relies on community install scripts and runner configurations to install necessary dependencies like DXVK or .NET, which can vary per game and aren't centrally managed.
Bottles includes a built-in dependency manager that allows you to install and manage components like DXVK, VKD3D, .NET, and more directly within each bottle.

➤ Bottles offers centralized, GUI-driven control over dependencies, while Lutris depends on script-based setups per title.

2.2 Session Persistence

Lutris does not natively manage persistent environments; session behavior depends on the runner used, and game state is usually managed within the game or launcher itself.
Bottles maintains persistent Wine environments within each bottle, allowing applications and settings to remain intact across sessions without reconfiguration.

➤ Bottles ensures consistent, resumable environments, while Lutris focuses on launching games without maintaining long-term session state.

2.3 Rollback & Reset

Lutris does not offer built-in snapshot or rollback functionality; restoring a game environment requires manual backup and reconfiguration.
Bottles includes native options to reset or restore bottles to a previous state, enabling safer experimentation and easy recovery from misconfiguration.

➤ Bottles provides robust rollback capabilities, while Lutris requires manual effort to recover or reset game environments.

2.4 Built-In Utilities

Lutris relies on external system tools and runner-specific utilities for tasks like runtime management and log access, offering minimal in-app tooling beyond launch configurations.
Bottles features integrated, GUI-driven utilities for managing logs, runtimes, environment settings, and dependencies directly within each bottle.

➤ Bottles centralizes essential tools for a smoother workflow, while Lutris delegates much of the utility handling to the system or community scripts.

2.5 Community & Development Focus

Lutris has a long-standing, game-focused community with mature support for a wide range of runners and platforms, backed by years of stability and script contributions.
Bottles is a rapidly evolving project built with GTK4, emphasizing modular design, UX refinement, sandboxing, and seamless integration with modern Linux environments like Flatpak and immutable systems.

➤ Lutris brings legacy depth and a strong gaming ecosystem, while Bottles leads with innovation, isolation, and desktop-native user experience.

2.6 Script Automation

Lutris supports YAML-based community scripts that automate game installations, configure runners, and apply dependencies—greatly simplifying complex setups.
Bottles does not currently offer script automation; all configuration and installation steps are performed manually through the GUI.

➤ Lutris excels in hands-free, repeatable setups via scripts, while Bottles prioritizes manual control through its graphical interface.

#3 Ideal Use Case

Lutris is best suited for gamers who want to manage a wide range of titles—native, Windows-based, or emulated—across platforms like Steam, Epic, GOG, and console emulators from a unified interface.
Bottles is ideal for users who need clean, isolated Wine environments to run Windows applications or games with full control over dependencies, configuration, and sandboxing.

➤ Lutris streamlines game management and launch workflows, while Bottles excels at creating stable, customizable containers for Windows software on Linux.