Side by side
DeSmuME vs EKA2L1
Both stand on game console emulators. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
DeSmuME covers core DS controls, graphics and audio options, plus recording and cheat tools. Its unsupported Wi-Fi and lack of DSi emulation are important limits to consider.
Visit DeSmuME Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
EKA2L1 offers broad Symbian and N-Gage emulation at no cost. Its hardware-file requirements, experimental Android status, limited application coverage, and part-time maintenance are important considerations.
Visit EKA2L1The facts
| DeSmuME | EKA2L1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Not published |
| Plans published | 1 | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | desmume.org | eka2l1.github.io |
| On game console emulators | #11 of 35 | #15 of 35 |
DeSmuME: what it does well
- Free, GPL-licensed software.
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Offers SoftRasterizer and OpenGL graphics renderers.
- Windows port records screenshots, video, audio, and TAS movies.
What to know first
- Does not support DSi emulation.
- Wi-Fi is experimental and unsupported.
- Save states may break between emulator versions.
EKA2L1: what it does well
- Free and open-source
- Supports EKA1, EKA2, and N-Gage systems
- Covers many Symbian game libraries
- Lua API supports debugging and patching
- Shaders and upscaling are supported
What to know first
- Requires a BIOS and real-phone files
- Android support is experimental
- Application support covers only a limited subset
- Some desktop builds lack an official maintainer
Alternatives to DeSmuME Alternatives to EKA2L1 The whole list