Best Emulation Frontends in 2026
Updated
In short: RetroArch is ranked #1 of 25 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of ES-DE Frontend and Lakka. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ES-DE Frontend. The lowest first paid tier on this page is RePlayOS at $5/mo.
A frontend can give you one interface for browsing and launching games across an emulation setup. ES-DE Frontend, RetroArch and LaunchBox lead these entries, followed by RetroHub and Pegasus Frontend. Compared on supported platforms and emulators included, the options can be weighed against the systems you use. Library import and metadata scraping relate to how you bring in and organize a collection, while controller navigation may suit gamepad-based browsing. Check cloud sync and portable mode if moving between devices or setups matters. Free-plan availability and the paid-from price offer cost context. KNULLI, ROCKNIX and Lakka are among the other early entries.
25 emulation frontends ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 RetroArch Top pick · 7.4 Free plan · Free
#2 ES-DE Frontend Runner-up · 7.2 Free plan · Free
#3 Lakka Also great · 7.1 Free plan · Free- Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- PC; Raspberry Pi; Cubieboard; Banana Pi; Cubox-i; Hummingboard; UDOO; Odroid; WeTek Play
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 30 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Emulators included
- No
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2, 3, 4, and 5 running RePlayOS Linux
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$5/mofirst paid tier About RePlayOSVisit site - Free plan Linuxself-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Android
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Android
- Emulators included
- No
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Linuxself-hosted
- Supported platforms
- Anbernic RG series, GoRetroid Pocket 5/Mini, Miyoo Flip, Powkiddy RGB30/X55, Orange Pi Zero 2w, TrimUI Brick/Smart Pro
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Linux; Plasma Desktop; Plasma Mobile; Plasma Bigscreen
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - self-hosted
- Supported platforms
- Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+
- Emulators included
- Yes
- Library import
- Yes
- Metadata scraping
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Anbernic RG28XX H, RG34XX H, RG34XX SP, RG35XX 2024, RG35XX H, RG35XX PLUS, RG35XX PRO, RG35XX SP, RG40XX H, RG40XX V, RGCUBEXX; TrimUI Brick and Smart Pro
- Emulators included
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 25 one-time
- Supported platforms
- Windows
- Emulators included
- No
- Library import
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Paid from
- 50 one-time
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WebiOSAndroidRecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
- RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which emulation frontend is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.4. ES-DE Frontend is second and Lakka third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, RePlayOS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.