Is a Playnite for Linux planned for 2026?

Yes, an initial Linux build of Playnite is targeted for 2026.

The plan was confirmed directly by Playnite's lead developer, Josef Nemec, who stated that he intends to transition to Linux as his main operating system, with Playnite currently being his own primary blocker for making the switch.

Technical Context & Scope

1. The Avalonia Framework Transition

Playnite historically relied on WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), a framework locked to Windows. For Playnite 11 (P11), the UI is being migrated to Avalonia UI, a modern cross-platform framework that enables native Linux compilation.

2. What to Expect in 2026

• Desktop Mode First: The initial Linux build will focus on desktop mode to get a "daily drivable" release out. Full parity with the Windows version and Fullscreen mode (controller/handheld interface) will follow later as the Avalonia port matures.

• Linux-Native Integrations: Rather than a simple 1:1 port, the developer plans to include Linux-specific functionality out of the box, such as Wine/Proton management and backend hooks into tools like Legendary (for Epic Games) and heroic-gogdl (for GOG).

Note on Timeline: The Linux release depends on the completion and public launch of Playnite 11 on Windows. As with most single-maintainer open-source projects, timelines are subject to adjustments, but 2026 remains the active milestone for initial Linux builds.

Share on Google Plus

About Giampaolo Rossi.

Fond of computer and video games. Stay informed of the latest news on games for Linux and Android. The future of gaming is in Linux. All you need to know about How to play Windows games on Linux.