Retrom
Retrom is a centralized game library management service focused on emulation.
What Retrom is
Retrom is a centralized game library management service focused on emulation. It scans a server filesystem for games and platforms, then adds them to a library that desktop clients can use to install, uninstall, and play games. Clients are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with a web client for browser access. Users can run the service in standalone mode, where a client hosts the local server, or in standard mode with a dedicated server.
Retrom supports cloud saves for built-in and standalone emulators, syncing save data and save states to the server. Emulator profiles can be stored centrally for sharing or restoration, but sharing configurations requires matching emulator and other client-specific paths on each device. Metadata and artwork downloads are available through supported providers; IGDB is the only listed metadata provider. Steam is the only supported third-party library integration and requires a Steam API key and user ID. The project recommends local-network use or a properly secured reverse proxy because it was designed without specific security measures. Retrom is free and licensed under GPL-3.0.
Good
- Scans server storage and adds games to the library.
- Desktop clients can install, uninstall, and play games.
- Syncs saves and save states to the server.
- Offers standalone and dedicated-server deployment modes.
- Free and distributed under GPL-3.0.
Watch out
- Standalone server connections work only while its client runs.
- Steam is the only supported third-party library integration.
- IGDB is the only listed metadata provider.
- Project recommends local-network use or a secured reverse proxy.
Who it suits
Retrom suits people who want to manage an emulation-focused game library across desktop clients or a browser. It is particularly relevant to users comfortable hosting a server and configuring clients.
Verdict
Retrom brings an emulation-focused library, desktop clients, browser access, and cloud save syncing together. Plan for server setup, matching client paths where configurations are shared, and the stated security limitations.
The facts
Each one read from Retrom's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Cloud saves
- Retrom supports cloud saves for built-in and standalone emulators, and can sync save data and save states to the server.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Container setup
- The quick start documents running the dedicated server with Docker Compose and mounting a game library directory plus persistent data and configuration volumes.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Deployment modes
- Retrom supports standalone mode, where the client runs the server locally, and standard mode with a dedicated server.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Desktop clients
- The README lists desktop client support for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Emulator profiles
- Retrom stores per-client emulator profiles on the server so configurations can be shared between devices or restored after reinstalling.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Filesystem scanning
- Retrom scans a filesystem for games and platforms and automatically adds them to the library.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Game management
- Desktop clients can install, uninstall, and play games from the service.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Game metadata
- Retrom downloads game metadata and artwork from supported providers; the wiki currently identifies IGDB as its only supported metadata provider.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Library scanning
- Retrom can scan its server filesystem for games and platforms and add them to the library.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies Retrom as licensed under GPL-3.0.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Metadata and artwork
- Retrom can automatically download game metadata and artwork from supported providers.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Metadata integration
- IGDB is currently the only supported metadata provider and requires an IGDB client ID and secret.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Retrom is a centralized game library management service focused on emulation, for hosting games on one device and connecting clients on other devices.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project states that it was designed without specific security measures and recommends local-network use or a reverse proxy with proper security measures.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- Retrom can run with a dedicated server or in standalone mode, where the client manages the server under the hood.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Setup limitation
- Sharing emulator configurations between clients requires matching emulator paths and other client-specific paths on those clients.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Standalone limitation
- Other clients can connect to a standalone server only while the standalone client is running.checked 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- The quick start directs users who need help to Retrom's Discord server.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Web client
- The README says users can access their library from anywhere with the web client.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Steam integration
- Retrom can import Steam games when configured with a Steam API key and Steam user ID; the wiki says Steam is its only currently supported third-party library.checked 2 Oct 2026
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