Side by side
86Box vs Cemu
Both stand on emulator software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
86Box offers detailed emulation options across older x86 computers, peripherals, and operating systems. Its single-threaded emulation and preview manager are important considerations for setup and performance.
Visit 86Box Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose Cemu if you want a free, open-source Wii U emulator for a desktop computer, especially if you want controller options, netplay, or graphics upscaling. Look elsewhere if you need a stable native macOS build or want to use .wud or .wux games without supplying your own decryption keys.
Visit CemuThe facts
| 86Box | Cemu | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | 86box.net | cemu.info |
| On emulator software | #7 of 39 | #11 of 39 |
86Box: what it does well
- Free to use.
- Emulates systems from 1981 through PCI-based systems.
- Supports a wide range of guest systems.
- Offers Windows, Linux, and macOS builds.
- Supports configurable virtual machines.
What to know first
- Most emulation logic runs in a single thread.
- Experimental builds may be less stable or performant.
- Built-in virtual machine manager is only a preview.
- BIOS is required.
Cemu: what it does well
- Free to download and use.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Emulates several Wii U controllers and supports keyboard and USB controllers.
- Includes netplay and graphics upscaling.
- Graphic packs can be downloaded within Cemu.
What to know first
- The native macOS build is experimental and not considered stable.
- Intel GPU support is limited.
- .wud and .wux games require users to provide decryption keys.
- Pretendo support is experimental and only in 2.0 experimental releases.