RetroArch is a free, open-source frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players, using a unified settings system.
Alternatives to MAME
MAME spans arcade machines, vintage computers, consoles, calculators, and other electronic amusement systems, with more than 32,000 individual systems represented. Its debugger, Lua interface, plugins, save states, input recording, and image or video capture also support investigating software and developing for older hardware. It runs on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is free. ROMs and copyrighted software are generally not included, and emulation may be imperfect…
BlastEm is a free, open-source emulator for Sega 16-bit and 8-bit systems.
ares is a free, open-source emulator for Linux, macOS, and Windows, focused on accurate emulation and preservation.
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ClownMDEmu
ClownMDEmu is a free emulator for the Sega Mega Drive, also known as the Sega Genesis.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.5Free plan - 5
7.3Free plan - 6
Nostalgist.js
Nostalgist.js is a free, MIT-licensed JavaScript library for developers creating retro-console emulation experiences in web browsers.
Free planOpen sourceWeb7.1Free plan - 7
EmulatorJS
EmulatorJS is a free, open-source web frontend for RetroArch that lets site owners embed an emulator into a website.
Free planAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted6.8Free plan - 8
Lakka
Lakka is a free, lightweight Linux distribution that turns a small computer into a retrogaming console.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.8Free plan - 9
Genesis Plus GX
Genesis Plus GX is a free, open-source emulator for Sega 8-bit and 16-bit systems.
Free planLinuxWindows6.7Free plan - 10
Manic EMU
Manic EMU is a free, browser-based gaming site for playing curated classic games and modern puzzles without downloading or installing them.
AndroidiOSWebLinux6.5 - 11
higan
higan is a free, standalone emulator for multiple game systems, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.3Free plan - 12

Lemuroid
Lemuroid is a free, open-source Android emulator that gathers supported game files into one library.
Free planAndroid6.3Free plan - 13
ClassicBoy Pro
ClassicBoy Pro combines emulator cores with a game library for playing classic games on Android devices.
Free planAndroidWindows6.2Free plan - 14

Delta
Delta is an emulator for iOS and iPadOS, described as an all-in-one successor to GBA4iOS.
Free planiOSmacOS6.2Free plan - 15
PicoDrive
PicoDrive is a free Sega console emulator that runs games for systems from the Mega Drive/Genesis through the 32X, as well as Sega Pico, SG-1000,…
Free planLinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.2Free plan - 16
BizHawk
BizHawk is a free multi-system emulator for Windows and Linux, with EmuHawk providing recording, playback and debugging tools aimed at Tool-Assisted Speedrunners.
Free planLinuxWindows6.1Free plan - 17
jgenesis
jgenesis is a free cross-platform emulator for 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, distributed through GitHub Releases for Linux and Windows systems plus web availability.
WebLinuxWindows6.1 - 18
Sandopolis
Sandopolis is a free, portable emulator for Sega systems, with a browser version and pre-built desktop binaries.
Free planWeb6.1Free plan - 19
Zeta
Zeta is an iPhone emulator app for playing games from classic systems on modern devices.
Free planiOS6.1Free plan - 20

Batocera
Batocera is a free, open-source Linux distribution for turning compatible computers and small devices into retro-gaming systems.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 21
Cavaliercoder Genesis
Cavaliercoder Genesis is an experimental Sega Genesis emulator written entirely in Go.
Free plan5.9Free plan - 22
emmd
emmd is a free Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) emulator written in Go and aimed at Model 1 hardware.
iOSLinuxmacOSWindows5.9 - 23
Mednafen
Mednafen is a free, portable emulator for several classic computer and console systems, controlled from the command line and built around OpenGL and SDL.
LinuxWindows5.9 - 24

Recalbox
Recalbox is a free, open-source retro gaming system for replaying games from consoles and computers.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan - 25
Exodus
Exodus is a free, open-source Windows platform for emulating physical hardware, with an emphasis on technical inspection and debugging.
Free planWindows5.8Free plan - 26
Moa
Moa is a free Linux emulator and simulator for computers built around 68000 and Z80 CPUs and their peripherals.
Linux5.8 - 27
MD.emu
AndroidLinux4.9 - 28
Lemuroid
Android4.8