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Best SNES Emulators in 2026
SNES emulators let you play games from the Super Nintendo era on supported devices. Compared on supported platforms and emulation format, the entries also list features such as cheat support, shader support, rewind, and RetroAchievements. Online multiplayer may matter if you want to play with others; check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing as well. RetroArch, Virtual Jaguar, and bsnes are among the named options to compare. Start with platform and format compatibility, then weigh the listed play and customization features that fit your setup.
- 30 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
ares
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1ares offers playback controls, display options, and a broad listed range of systems in a free, open-source package.
- 2
Manic EMU
Free plan Open source iPhoneMacSelf-hostedManic EMU offers broad system support and a range of play and save features for iPhone and iPad.
- 3
Provenance
Free plan Open source iPhoneMacProvenance offers broad system support and a substantial set of listed emulation features for Apple platforms.
- 4
OpenEmu
Free plan Open source MacOpenEmu 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.
- 5
bsnes
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2bsnes provides SNES emulation with visual options, save-state tools, and support for several controller types.
- 6
bsnes
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsbsnes pairs support for several Nintendo systems with graphics options and playback tools. Its project lists nightly builds for major desktop platforms and FreeBSD.
- 7
BizHawk
Free plan LinuxWindowsBizHawk combines broad system support with tools for recording, scripting, and memory debugging. Check the platform and Linux core limitations before choosing it for a particular setup.
- 8
delta
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsdelta offers a broad set of display options for diffs and other command-line output, with documented Git and editor integrations. It depends on less for paging.
- 9
Hemulator
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsHemulator offers customizable emulation and developer tools without a listed price. System support varies, and users need to supply their own legally obtained ROM files.
- 10
higan
Free plan LinuxMacWindowshigan offers a free standalone emulator with support for many systems and a focus on accuracy, preservation, and configurability.
- 11
RetroArch
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3RetroArch combines a broad core library with game organization, graphics options, netplay and recording or streaming. Check the limits of the specific platform or store version you plan to use.
- 12
Snes9x
Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+3Snes9x offers a free way to play most SNES and Super Famicom games, with saves and several documented Windows tools.
- 13
jgenesis
Free plan LinuxWebWindowsPick jgenesis if you want a free emulator covering many 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, with flexible graphics and playback controls.
- 14
John NESS
Free plan AndroidChoose John NESS if you use Android 6.0 or later and want configurable controls, save states, screenshots, and adjustable playback speed.
- 15
SNES Emulator
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1SNES Emulator offers browser and native access to Super Nintendo games at no cost. Its work-in-progress status and source-build requirement are important considerations for native users.
- 16
Lemuroid
Free plan AndroidLemuroid offers library organization, multiple control options, and several save methods at no cost. Users need their own game files, and performance varies by device, game, system, and settings.
- 17
Mednafen
Free plan LinuxWindowsMednafen combines support for multiple systems with save, rewind, and capture features. Note its command-line approach, disc-image requirements, and warnings about untrusted save states.
- 18
bsnes-mercury Accuracy
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 19
nSide Balanced
Free plannSide Balanced offers broad libretro features and support for several Nintendo-era formats, including Super Game Boy content.
- 20
rust-wasm-snes
Free plan Webrust-wasm-snes has detailed CPU and audio support, but its graphics and game compatibility remain incomplete. ROMs are not supplied, and users should check the listed game-specific limitations.
- 21
SnesFox
Free plan MacWindowsSnesFox pairs SNES playback with extensive debugging and ROM-analysis features at no cost. Its documented builds target macOS and Windows, while Linux users lack a build path.
- 22
SNESticle Revive
Free plan Self-hostedWindowsSNESticle Revive provides a feature-rich SNES and NES emulator for PlayStation 2, including artwork, music, save states, and varied storage.
- 23
Super Famicast
Free planSuper Famicast offers CD-based SNES emulation and adjustable controls and display options for Sega Dreamcast.
- 24
NiN10
Free plan iPhoneMacChoose NiN10 if you use a supported Apple device and want NES support for free, or prefer a one-time purchase for more systems. Look elsewhere if you need a platform beyond iOS or macOS.
- 25
Vortex Universal Emulator
Free plan AndroidVortex combines broad classic-platform emulation with save management, rendering options, controller support, and multiplayer.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price