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 seven of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to EmulationStation are Lakka, Pegasus, Mame and MESS.
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EmulationStation alternatives are mainly Game Emulators but may also be Game Library Managers or Linux Distros. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of EmulationStation.- Game Emulator
- Free • Open Source
- 273 likes151 RetroArch alternatives
RetroArch is a graphical frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- iPad
- OpenPandora
- Steam
- Raspberry Pi
- Playstation
- Xbox
RetroArch Features
- Multi System Emulator
- Multiplatform
- Emulation
- Controller Support
- Modular System
- Gameboy emulation
- Dark Mode
- Variety
- Rewind button
- Portable
RetroArch VS EmulationStation
Is RetroArch a good alternative to EmulationStation? - 33 likes25 Lakka alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Cubieboard
- HummingBoard
- Raspberry Pi
- Nintendo Switch
- Odroid
Lakka Features
- Emulation
- Linux-based
- Gaming-focused
Lakka VS EmulationStation
Is Lakka a good alternative to EmulationStation? - 26 likes35 Pegasus alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Raspberry Pi
Pegasus Features
- Portable
- Game Launcher
Pegasus VS EmulationStation
Is Pegasus a good alternative to EmulationStation? - 89 likes18 Mame alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- AmigaOS
- MorphOS
Mame Features
- Portable
- Integrated Android Emulator
Mame VS EmulationStation
Is Mame a good alternative to EmulationStation?Comments about Mame as an Alternative to EmulationStation
Emulationstation is an interface for mame
0 - 13 likes104 MESS alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
MESS Features
- Emulation
- Multi System Emulator
MESS VS EmulationStation
Is MESS a good alternative to EmulationStation? - 4 likes119 Nostlan alternatives
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.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Nostlan Features
- Controller Support
- Game Launcher
- Emulation
- Xbox
Nostlan VS EmulationStation
Is Nostlan a good alternative to EmulationStation? - 2 likes8 AdvanceMenu alternatives
AdvanceMENU is a GNU/Linux, DOS and Windows front-end for AdvanceMAME, MAME, MESS, RAINE and any other emulator.
AdvanceMenu VS EmulationStation
Is AdvanceMenu a good alternative to EmulationStation?
Comments about RetroArch as an Alternative to EmulationStation
RetroArch is core (emulator) but emulationStation is like a interface or GUI.
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.
EmulationStation is an interface for retroarch.
You need retroarch for emulationstation... they work together not alternates