Microsoft coding software

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Creators cited with it: 2; From 3 reports.
First cited: March 2020; By Techno Tim. Last reported 5 months ago.
Reviewers: Praised for developer experience; Pushback on performance. From 2 reviews. What they said

Pricing varies by plan

Creators cited with this

Andres VidozaYouTube, 632K followersJune 2026
“And if I need access to my server, I just open Windows Subsystem for Linux, connect instantly, and everything keeps moving without breaking my flow.”
Watch the video at 0:51
Techno TimYouTube, 339K followersFebruary 2021
“…then we'll need to install the WSL or the Windows Subsystem for Linux this gets you Linux on top of Windows in our terminal”
Watch the video at 0:22
1 more report from Techno Tim
- March 2020
  “…so what I'm gonna do is install the super simple to say WSL the windows subsystem for linux and that's a mouthful but really what that gives me is Linux under the covers”
  Watch the video at 2:53

What reviewers say

Based on 2 reviews, newest August 2025

What press reviews of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) judged, by what buyers compare. Open any line for the quotes behind it.

Where it shines

Developer experience

Where reviewers push back

Performance
Ecosystem

Developer experienceRated highly: Reviewers rate it highly.Easy to start and set up from the command line2 reviews›
Praise (3)
- “It's easy to use”
  PressMakeUseOf, Brian · April 2023Read the review
- “It's easy to get started”
  PressMakeUseOf, Brian · April 2023Read the review
- “setting up Ubuntu in WSL is easy from the CLI”
  PressXDA Developers, Brian Burgess · August 2025Read the review
PerformanceMostly negative: Leans negative.WSL2 improved things, yet still slower than native Linux2 reviews›
Praise (1)
- “The updated WSL2 offers improved performance and compatibility over the first generation”
  PressXDA Developers, Brian Burgess · August 2025Read the review
Complaints (2)
- “Performance is slower than a virtual machine or running Linux natively on your hardware”
  PressMakeUseOf, Brian · April 2023Read the review
- “can be slower than Windows or Linux on a bar-metal machine”
  PressXDA Developers, Brian Burgess · August 2025Read the review
EcosystemSplit: Reviewers are split.Reviewers split: many distros and open source, but integration gaps2 reviews›
Praise (3)
- “If you want access to the thousands of open-source projects out there”
  PressMakeUseOf, Brian · April 2023Read the review
- “can install virtually any distro you want”
  PressXDA Developers, Brian Burgess · August 2025Read the review
- “they play alongside your Windows apps”
  PressXDA Developers, Brian Burgess · August 2025Read the review
Complaints (3)
- “It doesn't truly integrate with Windows itself”
  PressMakeUseOf, Brian · April 2023Read the review
- “Not compatible with all Linux programs”
  PressMakeUseOf, Brian · April 2023Read the review
- “accessing files between systems can be tricky”
  PressXDA Developers, Brian Burgess · August 2025Read the review
ValueNot covered by enough reviews