Nucleus Alternatives

Nucleus is described as 'PlayStation 3 emulator' and is an app. There are four alternatives to Nucleus for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and AppImageHub apps. The best Nucleus alternative is RPCS3, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Nucleus are aPS3e, ChonkyStation3 and Short Waves.

More about Nucleus

Nucleus alternatives page was last updated Aug 15, 2025

RPCS3
32 likes
RPCS3 is an experimental open-source Sony PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger written in C++ for Windows, Mac and Linux. RPCS3 began development in May of 2011 by its founders, DH and Hykem.
7 RPCS3 alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Game Emulator
Origin
International
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
AppImageHub
Flathub
FreeBSD
Is RPCS3 a good alternative to Nucleus?
RPCS3 is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Nucleus.
RPCS3 is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Nucleus.
RPCS3 is Free and Open SourceNucleus is also Free and Open Source
aPS3e
2 likes
aPS3e is an Android-based PS3 emulator built from the RPCS3 source code, adhering to the GPLv2 license.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Game Emulator
Platforms
Android
+3
Is aPS3e a good alternative to Nucleus?
aPS3e is the most popular Android alternative to Nucleus.
aPS3e is Free and Open SourceNucleus is also Free and Open Source
ChonkyStation3
1 like
PlayStation®3 Emulator.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Game Emulator
Origin
Italy
EU
Platforms
Windows
Mac
Linux
Is ChonkyStation3 a good alternative to Nucleus?
Short Waves
1 like
Short Waves is a PS3 emulator for windows. (Very early release, can run a few homebrews)
Cost / License
Free Personal
Proprietary
Platforms
Windows
Is Short Waves a good alternative to Nucleus?