Best Multi-System Emulators in 2026
Running games from several platforms calls for checking both compatibility and setup needs. Compare supported systems and arcade support first, then see whether Android support and a BIOS requirement fit your intended use. Netplay and shader or upscaling options can help distinguish features, while license, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing show access and cost. RetroArch, MAME, and Foxol lead the ranking, with ares, Dolphin, and Mednafen among the next entries. Use these comparison points to narrow the options to the systems and capabilities that matter for the games you want to play.
51 multi-system emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 RetroArch Top pick · 9.0 Free plan · Free
#2 MAME Runner-up · 8.6 Free plan · Free
#3 Foxol Also great · 8.5 Free plan · Free
- Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatformsFree About MAMEVisit site - Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 20
- Android support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 34
- Android support
- No
- Arcade support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatformsFree About aresVisit site - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 3
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 17
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 4
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan iOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 31
- Android support
- No
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 8
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- No
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatformsFree About VICEVisit site - Free plan Android
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 23
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan WindowsiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 18
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatformsFree About QEMUVisit site - Free plan WindowsAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 14
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 30
- Android support
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan iOSmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 7
- Android support
- No
- Arcade support
- No
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Android support
- No
- Arcade support
- No
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan WindowsLinuxAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WebiOSAndroid
- Supported systems
- 36
- Android support
- Yes
- Arcade support
- Yes
- Netplay
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan WebWindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 11
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan WindowsLinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Android support
- No
- Arcade support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- 4
- Android support
- Yes
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 multi-system emulator is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 51 with a score of 9.0. MAME is second and Foxol third.
How many of these have a free plan?
24 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
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.