RePlayOS

Free plan APILinuxWeb

What RePlayOS is

RePlayOS is a free Linux distribution with a libretro frontend for emulating classic game consoles, arcade machines, and computers. It is designed for Raspberry Pi hardware, including Zero 2, 3A/B/B+, 4B, and 5B models, and supports LCD and CRT screens. Its DynaRes display engine offers native CRT timings, timing changes, CRT profiles, dual-screen modes, and LCD operation at game refresh rates. The system supports more than 700 controllers and up to six players, plus RetroAchievements in compatible cores and games. Replay Control, a companion web app, can browse games, launch them on a TV, manage favorites, and configure the system over a local network. Compatible cores can use Link Play multiplayer on a local network. Alpha Player plays audio and video files, with Raspberry Pi 5 recommended for movies. A local or LAN HTTP JSON API is available when network control is enabled; requests other than get_version need a token, and the API is plain HTTP. RePlayOS does not work on PC. Most components are open source, but the frontend is proprietary and restricted from modification, standalone redistribution, and unauthorized commercial use.

Who it suits

RePlayOS suits Raspberry Pi owners who want to emulate classic systems on LCD or CRT displays. It is not intended for PC use, and users should note the frontend's licensing restrictions.

What it does well

Supports more than 700 controllers and up to six players.
DynaRes includes CRT profiles and dual-screen modes.
Replay Control manages games over a local network.
Alpha Player handles audio and video files.

What to know first

Does not work on PC.
The frontend is proprietary and restricted from modification and redistribution.
API uses plain HTTP rather than HTTPS.
No cloud sync.

Limits

The public version is free and is listed for supported Raspberry Pi models. The API uses plain HTTP; requests other than get_version require the NET CONTROL CODE in the X-RePlay-Token header when using the API.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Public RePlayOS	latest public version · supported Raspberry Pi models	Free
Pixel Insider	$ 5 / month · roadmap access · RePlayOS beta and release candidates · Discord access	$5 a month

As replayos.com lists them, read 1 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://www.replayos.com/ and choose the public RePlayOS version.
Use a supported Raspberry Pi Zero 2, 3, 4, or 5 running RePlayOS Linux.
Connect an LCD or CRT screen and supported game controllers.
Use Replay Control over the local network to browse games, launch them on a TV, manage favorites, or configure the system.
Enable network control to use the HTTP JSON API locally or over a LAN.

Verdict

RePlayOS combines emulation, display options, controller support, and local-network tools for listed Raspberry Pi models. Its PC limitation and proprietary frontend restrictions are important considerations.

Questions

Is RePlayOS free?

Yes. The Public RePlayOS plan is free and provides the latest public version for supported Raspberry Pi models.

What devices does it support?

RePlayOS supports Raspberry Pi Zero 2, 3A/B/B+, 4B, and 5B. It does not work on PC and is developed around ARM architecture and Raspberry Pi devices.

Does it include emulators and game library import?

Yes. Emulators and library import are included. Metadata scraping and cloud sync are not supported.

Can I control RePlayOS over a network?

Replay Control can browse games, launch them on a TV, manage favorites, and configure the system over a local network. An HTTP JSON API also provides local or LAN control when network control is enabled.

Is RePlayOS open source?

Most distribution components use open-source licenses, but the frontend is proprietary and restricted from modification, standalone redistribution, and unauthorized commercial use.

Who created RePlayOS?

RePlayOS was created by Rubén Tomás Alonso, also known as RTA or rTomas.

Facts from RePlayOS's own pages

Achievements: RePlayOS supports RetroAchievements in compatible libretro cores and games. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
API security: API requests except get_version require the NET CONTROL CODE in the X-RePlay-Token header, while the API itself is plain HTTP rather than HTTPS. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Controllers: The system supports more than 700 game controllers and up to six players. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Display engine: The DynaRes engine provides native CRT timings, on-the-fly timing changes, CRT profiles, dual-screen modes, and LCD game-refresh-rate operation. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Integrations: RePlayOS supports core-managed Link Play multiplayer over a local network. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Licensing: Most distribution components use open-source licenses, while the frontend is proprietary and restricted from modification, standalone redistribution, and unauthorized commercial use. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Maker: Rubén Tomás Alonso, also known as RTA or rTomas, created RePlayOS and describes himself as a C, Python, HTML, and JavaScript programmer focused on Raspberry Pi frontends. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Media playback: The built-in Alpha Player multimedia core plays audio and video files, with Raspberry Pi 5 recommended for movies. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Platform limitation: The FAQ says RePlayOS does not work on PC and is developed around ARM architecture and Raspberry Pi devices. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Purpose: RePlayOS is a Linux distribution with a streamlined libretro frontend for emulating classic game consoles, arcade machines, and computers. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Replay Control: Replay Control is a companion web app that browses games, launches them on the TV, manages favorites, and configures the system over the local network. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
REST API: RePlayOS includes a small HTTP JSON API for local or LAN control on port 55356 when network control is enabled. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Support channels: The maker points users to official Discord and Telegram servers for community discussions, support, and updates. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Supported models: The requirements list Raspberry Pi Zero 2, Raspberry Pi 3A/B/B+, Raspberry Pi 4B, and Raspberry Pi 5B. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026
Target hardware: RePlayOS is optimized for Raspberry Pi boards and supports LCD and CRT screens. · replayos.com, 1 Oct 2026

Where RePlayOS stands on Freedom251

Emulation Frontends#15 of 25