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Best Multi-System Emulators in 2026

For games spanning different platforms, an emulator’s Supported systems can help you check whether it covers the systems you care about. Arcade support and Android support further narrow compatibility, while BIOS required is worth checking before you plan a setup. Netplay and Shader/upscaling describe additional play and display considerations. License, Free plan, and Paid from offer ways to compare access and cost. RetroArch, Virtual Jaguar, and MAME are among the software included here; SkyEmu and VICE provide more options to weigh. Compare the listed support and features with your preferred games and the devices you intend to use.

  1. 1

    ares

    Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    ares offers playback controls, display options, and a broad listed range of systems in a free, open-source package.

    9.3 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    DOSBox-X

    Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    Pick DOSBox-X if you need a configurable, open-source emulator for DOS software, DOS-based Windows, preservation, testing, or DOS development.

    9.1 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    Flycast

    Free plan Open source AndroidLinuxMac+2

    Flycast covers four Sega systems and publishes several release channels across its listed platforms.

    9.0 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    Manic EMU

    Free plan Open source iPhoneMacSelf-hosted

    Manic EMU offers broad system support and a range of play and save features for iPhone and iPad.

    8.7 Open source Visit site
  5. 5

    QEMU

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

    QEMU covers whole-machine and cross-architecture process emulation, with disk-image utilities included.

    8.7 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    SkyEmu

    Free plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    SkyEmu offers multiple platform builds, save states, configurable controls, and local web operation.

    8.5 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    Provenance

    Free plan Open source iPhoneMac

    Provenance offers broad system support and a substantial set of listed emulation features for Apple platforms.

    8.4 Free plan · paid from $3.99/mo Visit site
  8. 8

    OpenEmu

    Free plan Open source Mac

    OpenEmu offers a library-focused way to manage game backups and use multiple emulation systems on a Mac. Check the Intel-only release detail and BIOS requirement before choosing it.

    8.3 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    ARAnyM

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    Choose ARAnyM if you want to run Atari TOS/GEM software on a host computer and are comfortable with an unfinished beta project.

    7.7 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    86Box

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    86Box offers detailed emulation options across older x86 computers, peripherals, and operating systems.

    7.6 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    Atari800

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

    Atari800 offers broad Atari system and peripheral emulation across four listed platforms at no cost. A BIOS is required, so users should account for that before setting it up.

    7.6 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Dolphin

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

    Dolphin combines GameCube and Wii emulation with listed enhancements such as 1080p and networked multiplayer.

    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  13. 13

    EmulatorJS

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneSelf-hosted+1

    EmulatorJS is aimed at website embedding rather than use as a standalone emulator site. Check the supported-systems documentation and browser-serving requirements before setting it up.

    7.5 Open source Visit site
  14. 14

    AmiArcadia/WinArcadia

    Free plan AndroidWindows

    AmiArcadia and WinArcadia pair multi-system emulation with debugging, recording, and network-play tools.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  15. 15

    Eclipse

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

    Eclipse supports a broad set of classic systems and several input methods, with offline play for cached local games. Save limitations vary by system, and multiplayer is not available.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  16. 16

    FinalBurn Neo

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

    FinalBurn Neo covers a range of arcade systems and offers features such as netplay and rewinding across several documented builds.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  17. 17

    Foxol

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Foxol brings emulation, cross-device saves, multiplayer, and customization together across several platforms.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    ClassicBoy Pro

    Free plan AndroidWindows

    Choose ClassicBoy Pro if you want to organize and play classic games with a range of emulator cores, control options, and gameplay tools.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    Clock Signal

    Free plan LinuxMac

    Clock Signal brings a broad range of classic systems together with media detection and automated loading steps.

    7.3 Open source Visit site
  20. 20

    Delta

    Free plan iPhoneMac

    Delta combines support for several game systems with library management, controller options, syncing, and online play for compatible Nintendo DS games.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    Emu198x

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Emu198x combines scripted emulation with MCP control and capture tools across desktop platforms. Users need to bring any required ROMs, firmware, and other media themselves.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  22. 22

    Emulicious

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Emulicious pairs multi-system emulation with a substantial set of debugging and analysis tools. It is free for personal use, but commercial users should seek permission first.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  23. 23

    BizHawk

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Choose BizHawk for tool-assisted speedrunning across supported systems, especially when movie recording, TAStudio editing, or memory debugging matters.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  24. 24

    EKA2L1

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

    EKA2L1 offers broad Symbian and N-Gage emulation at no cost.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  25. 25

    Happy Chick

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneWindows

    Choose Happy Chick if you want a free retro game emulator with support for multiple consoles, cloud sync, and multiplayer.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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