Best Sega Genesis Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: RetroArch is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Lakka and MAME. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Lakka.
For Sega Genesis gaming, emulator choices differ in supported platforms, system scope, and features for playing and saving games. The ranked entries compare save states, cheat support, shader support, and netplay, alongside license, free-plan availability, and paid starting point. RetroArch, Genesis Plus GX, and emmd are among the first entries, followed by BlastEm and PicoDrive. Check supported platforms against the devices you use, then consider which listed features matter to your setup—such as netplay or shader support. System scope can also help you compare what each emulator is intended to cover.
29 Sega genesis emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 RetroArch Top pick · 7.6 Free plan · Free
#2 Lakka Runner-up · 7.3 Free plan · Free
#3 MAME Also great · 7.3 Free plan · Free- Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Netplay
- 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
- System scope
- multi_console
- Save states
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About MAMEVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- web browser; standalone desktop frontend; libretro-compatible hosts
- System scope
- genesis_only
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows; GameCube; Wii; RetroArch-based platforms
- System scope
- sega_family
- Save states
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About aresVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Linuxself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- windows, linux
- System scope
- multi_console
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Android
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Android, Android TV
- System scope
- multi_console
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - iOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- windows, macos, linux, ios
- System scope
- genesis_only
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Supported platforms
- Android, iOS, Linux
- System scope
- sega_family
- Save states
- Yes
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Android, Android TV
- System scope
- multi_console
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- web browsers
- System scope
- multi_console
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- System scope
- genesis_only
- Save states
- No
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Supported platforms
- windows
- System scope
- genesis_only
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - iOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- iOS (iPhone)
- System scope
- multi_console
- Save states
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - iOSmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebiOSAndroid
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
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 Sega genesis emulator is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 7.6. Lakka is second and MAME third.
How many of these have a free plan?
13 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
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.