Side by side
Mednafen vs vibe-sms
Both stand on sega master system emulators. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxWindows
Mednafen 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.
Visit Mednafen Free plan LinuxMacWindows
vibe-sms covers multiple Sega 8-bit consoles with graphics, audio, controller and save features. It is free and supports desktop Linux, Windows and macOS, but its license is not yet stated.
Visit vibe-smsThe facts
| Mednafen | vibe-sms | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Not published |
| Plans published | None | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | mednafen.github.io | github.com |
| On sega master system emulators | #15 of 25 | #19 of 25 |
Mednafen: what it does well
- Supports systems including NES, SNES, and PlayStation.
- Offers save states and real-time rewinding.
- Can record QuickTime movies and WAV sound.
- Input mapping supports keyboards and joysticks.
- Free and distributed under the GNU GPLv2.
What to know first
- Command-line-driven rather than described as graphical.
- Physical CD support was removed in version 0.9.38.
- Network play requires an external dedicated server.
- Untrusted save states may pose security risks.
vibe-sms: what it does well
- Supports four Sega 8-bit systems
- Nine save-state slots
- Remappable keyboards and gamepads
- Two-player and Light Phaser controls
- Linux, Windows and macOS downloads
What to know first
- README license status says “TODO: add license.”
- Linux builds list required dependencies
- ROM saves are stored beside files
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