RetroArch AlternativesTop Game Emulators and other similar apps like RetroArch

RetroArch is described as 'A portable, fast, and lightweight emulator frontend supporting classic and modern gaming systems with features like real-time rewinding and shader support' and is a very popular Game Emulator in the gaming software category. There are more than 100 alternatives to RetroArch for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iPhone apps. The best RetroArch alternative is PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like RetroArch are DuckStation, Lemuroid, Lakka and OpenEmu.

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RetroArch alternatives are mainly Game Emulators, but if you're looking for Game Library Managers or Compatibility Layer Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Linux, Windows and iPhone. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to RetroArch.
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Alternatives list

  1. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac

     247 likes
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    PlayOnLinux is a graphical frontend for the Wine software compatibility layer which allows Linux and Mac users to install Windows-based video games, Microsoft Office (2000 to 2010), Microsoft Internet Explorer, as well as many other applications.

    44 PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Wine
    • FreeBSD
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Brouware
    Negative
    7

    PlayOnLinux is a compatibility layer to play Windows games (or other software) on Linux. Retroarch is a multi-platform emulator frontend. They are not at all similar.

    RetroArch Icon
    PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac icon

    • This alternative is disputed. PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is a legitimate RetroArch alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is the most popular Mac & Linux alternative to RetroArch.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to RetroArch.

    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  2. DuckStation icon

    DuckStation

     49 likes
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    DuckStation is an simulator/emulator of the Sony PlayStation(TM) console, focusing on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability.

    13 DuckStation alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    Silent Hill
     
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    1
    Comments about DuckStation as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    4

    DuckStation is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    RetroArch Icon
    DuckStation icon

    • Some users think DuckStation is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • DuckStation is the most popular Windows, Android & Android Tablet alternative to RetroArch.

    • DuckStation is Free and ProprietaryRetroArch is Free and Open Source
    • DuckStation is LightweightRetroArch is not according to our users
  4. Lemuroid icon

    Lemuroid

     38 likes
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    Lemuroid is an open-source emulation project based on Libretro. It's completely free, without ads and focused on ease of use and good user experience.

    32 Lemuroid alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Lemuroid screenshot 1
    Lemuroid screenshot 2
    Lemuroid screenshot 3
     
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    4
    7
    Comments about Lemuroid as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Teoman
    Positive
    0

    is good but i doesn't have advanced features it should have more options but still keeping it simple

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's MUCH easier to get started for beginners, instead of overwhelming you with vague and confusing concepts like "core"s and "content"s.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Lemuroid uses libretro cores just like retroarch but it's way simpler to use and it supports SD cards without tweaks

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    RetroArch Icon
    Lemuroid icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Lemuroid is a great RetroArch alternative.

    • Lemuroid is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
    • Lemuroid is LightweightRetroArch is not according to our users
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  6. Lakka icon

    Lakka

     37 likes
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    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
     
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    9
  7. OpenEmu icon

    OpenEmu

     65 likes
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    Open Emu is an open source project to bring game emulation to OS X as a first class citizen, leveraging modern OS X technologies such as Cocoa, Core Animation and Quartz, and 3rd party libraries like Sparkle for auto-updating.

    55 OpenEmu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    OpenEmu screenshot 1
     
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    10
  8. VisualBoyAdvance icon

    VisualBoyAdvance

     156 likes
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    VisualBoyAdvance (VBA) is a free software (GNU GPL) emulator targeted for the Game Boy, Super Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance handheld game consoles sold by Nintendo.

    40 VisualBoyAdvance alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    VisualBoyAdvance screenshot 1
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about VisualBoyAdvance as an Alternative to RetroArch
    DifferentDance8Real
    Negative
    1

    VBA is specifically for the GBA console, whereas RetroArch can handle any console

    Guest
    Negative
    -14

    Retroarch is for ios VBA is for windows

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RetroArch Icon
    VisualBoyAdvance icon

    • Some users think VisualBoyAdvance is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • VisualBoyAdvance is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  10. Ludo icon

    Ludo

     21 likes
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    Ludo is an Emulator Frontend able to run retro video games. Ludo does not emulate the consoles itself, but does it through emulator plugins called libretro cores. Libretro cores are well known emulators (like Snes9x or Genesis Plus GX or PCSX) stripped from their user interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Ludo's user interface is distraction free and configuration is always optional.
     
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    8
  11. Snes9x icon

    Snes9x

     149 likes
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    Snes9x is a portable, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator. It allows you to play most games designed for the SNES and Super Famicom Nintendo game systems on your PC.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Snes9x screenshot 1
     
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    1
    10
    Comments about Snes9x as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Guest
    Negative
    8

    Retroarch is not an emulator. Retroarch is a frontend for Libretro, which is a backend in which "cores" can be implemented and then run through a frontend(RA in this case.) These cores are emulators, and are what do most of the work of emulating systems. The vast majority of Libretro cores are simply preexisting emulators (like Snes9x!) ported into the Libretro API.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RetroArch Icon
    Snes9x icon

    • Most users think Snes9x is a great RetroArch alternative.

    • Snes9x is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  12. ScummVM icon

    ScummVM

     125 likes
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    ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files.

    13 ScummVM alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Symbian S60
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Windows/German)
     
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    1
    Comments about ScummVM as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    2

    ScummVM is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    RetroArch Icon
    ScummVM icon

    • Some users think ScummVM is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • ScummVM is the most popular iPhone alternative to RetroArch.

    • ScummVM is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  13. Delta Emulator icon

    Delta Emulator

     28 likes
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    Delta is an iOS emulator that supports multiple game systems such as NES, SNES, N64, and DS, improving upon its predecessor, GBA4iOS.

    39 Delta Emulator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • AltStore
    • iPad
    Delta Emulator screenshot 1
     

    • Delta Emulator is the most popular iPad alternative to RetroArch.

    • Delta Emulator is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  14. Mame icon

    Mame

     94 likes
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    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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    1
    Comments about Mame as an Alternative to RetroArch
    Douze
    Negative
    0

    Mame is an emulator, whereas RetroArch is a front-end for multiple emulators and the games using them.

    RetroArch Icon
    Mame icon

    • Some users think Mame is a great RetroArch alternative, some don't.

    • Mame is Free and Open SourceRetroArch is also Free and Open Source
  15. ZSNES icon

    ZSNES

     198 likes
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    ZSNES is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System emulator. Aside from emulation accuracy, many interface features first introduced in ZSNES have been adopted by other emulators. ZSNES interface features include: Smoothing and dynamic image scaling; screenshot capture; state...

    25 ZSNES alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    ZSNES screenshot 1
     
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    7
12 of 157 RetroArch alternatives