EmulationStation Alternatives for Mac

EmulationStation is not available for Mac but there are some alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The best Mac alternative is RetroArch, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to EmulationStation and eight of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to EmulationStation are Lakka, Mame, Pegasus and Nostlan.

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Alternatives list

  1. RetroArch icon

    RetroArch

     339 likes

    A fast, modular emulator frontend offering portability and extensive support for systems from arcade consoles to mobile platforms, featuring game engines like Doom and Quake, and capabilities for real-time rewinding and shader support on a variety of devices.

    160 RetroArch alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Steam
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    • Haiku
    Main view
     
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    4
    RetroArch vs EmulationStation Comments
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    0

    RetroArch is core (emulator) but emulationStation is like a interface or GUI.

    Guest
    Negative
    4

    RetroArch allows you to emulate directly using "cores" included with the program and downloadable from their website. EmulationStation does not do emulation, and only acts as a front-end for other emulators installed on the system.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    EmulationStation is an interface for retroarch.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    • RetroArch is Free and Open SourceEmulationStation is also Free and Open Source
  2. Lakka icon

    Lakka

     38 likes

    Lakka is the official Linux distribution of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem. Each game system is implemented as a libretro core, while the frontend RetroArch takes care of inputs and display.

    37 Lakka alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Cubieboard
    • HummingBoard
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Odroid
    Splash screen
     
  4. Mame icon

    Mame

     95 likes

    MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. When used in conjunction with images of the original arcade game's ROM and disk data, MAME attempts to reproduce that game as faithfully as possible on a more modern general-purpose computer.

    24 Mame alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Mame screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Mame vs EmulationStation Comments
    munnie
    Negative
    0

    MAME is an emulator, while EmulationStation is an interface that allows to sort MAME's games

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Emulationstation is an interface for mame

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Mame is Free and Open SourceEmulationStation is also Free and Open Source
  5. Pegasus icon

    Pegasus

     29 likes

    Pegasus is a graphical frontend for browsing your game library (especially retro games) and launching them from one place. It's focusing on customizability, cross platform support (including embedded devices) and high performance.

    49 Pegasus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Raspberry Pi
    Pegasus screenshot 1
     
  6. Nostlan icon

    Nostlan

     5 likes

    A front-end or user interface (UI) is the presentation and interaction layer of an app or website. Most modern emulator apps have basic game list UIs that you can interact with using a mouse/keyboard but not a game controller.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dolphin (Wii, Gamecube, Virtual Console) [Linux, macOS, & Windows]
     
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    1
    Nostlan vs EmulationStation Comments
    kendo friendo
    Positive
    0

    The latest version of the application is locked behind a purchase. Users cannot change the theme of the application without donating to their patreon. Avoid.

    • Nostlan is Freemium and Open SourceEmulationStation is Free and Open Source
  7. MESS icon

    MESS

     14 likes

    MESS emulates portable and console gaming systems, computer platforms and calculators. The project strives for accuracy and portability and therefore is not always the fastest emulator for any one particular system.

    96 MESS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Menu
     
  9. GameEx icon

    GameEx

     4 likes

    Feature rich gaming front-end for MAME, GameBase, Daphne, PC Games and all command line based game emulators, along with being a complete Home Theatre PC solution or plug in for windows media center.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Android
    GameEx screenshot 1
     
  10. AdvanceMenu icon

    AdvanceMenu

     2 likes

    AdvanceMENU is a GNU/Linux, DOS and Windows front-end for AdvanceMAME, MAME, MESS, RAINE and any other emulator.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    AdvanceMenu screenshot 1
     
8 of 8 EmulationStation alternatives