Hercules
6.1#26 in emulator softwareFree planFree planLinuxmacOSWindows
VisitHercules vs Vita3K
What both publish
| Fact | Hercules | Vita3K |
|---|---|---|
| License | Hercules is OSI Certified Open Source Software licensed under the Q Public Licence. | The main Vita3K repository is distributed under GPL-2.0. |
| Networking | Hercules can connect guest TCP/IP networking to the host through a TUN/TAP interface and its hercifc program. | Ad-Hoc multiplayer is partly implemented for some commercial games through tools such as ZeroTier or Tailscale, while PSN connectivity is not feasible. |
| Purpose | Hercules is an open-source software implementation of the System/370, ESA/390 and 64-bit z/Architecture mainframe architectures. | Vita3K is an experimental open-source PlayStation Vita emulator. |
| Support | Paid technical support may be available through Open Source Mainframes, Inc., while free support is provided through Hercules discussion forums. | The project directs users to Discord for help and GitHub issues for general problems; game-specific issues go to the compatibility repository. |
Hercules plans
- HerculesFree
Vita3K plans
- FreeFree
- Vita3KFree
Pick Hercules if…
Hercules suits system programmers and others who need to run mainframe software on a PC for non-production purposes. Users need to supply a legally licensed compatible operating system or a standalone program.
Pick Vita3K if…
Vita3K suits users interested in emulating PlayStation Vita games who can work within game-specific compatibility and setup limits. It may also suit people looking for an open-source project with builds across desktop platforms and Android.