Best Emulation Frontends in 2026
Updated
In short: RetroArch is ranked #1 of 25 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Lakka and RetroHub. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Lakka. The lowest first paid tier on this page is RePlayOS at $5/mo.
Finding a frontend for your game collection means balancing how it handles emulators with how you want to browse and launch games. These entries are compared on supported platforms, emulators included, library import, metadata scraping, and controller navigation. Cloud sync and portable mode offer other useful points to check, while free-plan availability and the paid starting price help you consider access and cost. RetroArch leads the ranking, with ES-DE Frontend and LaunchBox next; RetroHub and Pegasus Frontend also appear among the first entries. Check which platforms and emulators match your setup, then weigh the organization and navigation features that suit the way you play.
25 emulation frontends ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 RetroArch Top pick · 7.7 Free plan · Free
#2 Lakka Runner-up · 7.3 Free plan · Free
#3 RetroHub Also great · 7.2 Free plan · Free- Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- PC; Raspberry Pi; Cubieboard; Banana Pi; Cubox-i; Hummingboard; UDOO; Odroid; WeTek Play
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Emulators included
- No
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 30 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2, 3, 4, and 5 running RePlayOS Linux
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$5/mofirst paid tier About RePlayOSVisit site - Free plan Linuxself-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Android
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Android
- Emulators included
- No
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Linuxself-hosted
- Supported platforms
- Anbernic RG series, GoRetroid Pocket 5/Mini, Miyoo Flip, Powkiddy RGB30/X55, Orange Pi Zero 2w, TrimUI Brick/Smart Pro
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Linux; Plasma Desktop; Plasma Mobile; Plasma Bigscreen
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - self-hosted
- Supported platforms
- Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 25 one-time
- Supported platforms
- Windows
- Emulators included
- No
- Library import
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Anbernic RG28XX H, RG34XX H, RG34XX SP, RG35XX 2024, RG35XX H, RG35XX PLUS, RG35XX PRO, RG35XX SP, RG40XX H, RG40XX V, RGCUBEXX; TrimUI Brick and Smart Pro
- Emulators included
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebiOSAndroidRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- Windows
- Paid from
- 50 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which emulation frontend is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.7. Lakka is second and RetroHub third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, RePlayOS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.