The Best Nintendo Switch Emulators in 2026
We researched Nintendo Switch emulators through official websites, pricing pages and product documentation. Products are ranked on their core emulation job, value for money and verified features, including supported platforms, graphics APIs, compatibility tools and multiplayer capabilities.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Eden#1 of 209.4/10A broad free emulator with graphics, motion, scaling, and multiplayer features.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Citron NEO#2 of 209.2/10A free, cross-platform emulator with multiplayer and TAS tools for technical users.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Ryujinx Classic#3 of 209.0/10A feature-rich desktop emulator for users comfortable building software from source.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 20 tools, best first
-
Best forMost users wanting a free all-round emulator
A broad free emulator with graphics, motion, scaling, and multiplayer features.
- Online multiplayer
- Resolution scaling
- Motion controls
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Eden -
Best forCross-platform multiplayer and TAS users
A free, cross-platform emulator with multiplayer and TAS tools for technical users.
- Online multiplayer
- Resolution scaling
- Motion controls
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Citron NEO -
Best forDesktop users wanting broad Switch features
A feature-rich desktop emulator for users comfortable building software from source.
- Online multiplayer
- Resolution scaling
- Motion controls
9.0/10★★★★☆Try Ryujinx Classic -
Best forFeature-rich desktop emulation
A feature-rich desktop emulator for users who need scaling, multiplayer, motion, DLC, and mods.
- Online multiplayer
- Resolution scaling
- Motion controls
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Ryubing -
Best forUsers wanting library and performance tools
A free, open-source emulator with strong library and performance controls.
- Source available
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit NeXium -
Best forOpen-source users wanting extensive controls
A feature-rich, free emulator for users who want open-source control and graphics flexibility.
- Online multiplayer
- Resolution scaling
- Motion controls
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Hyjinx -
Best forDesktop users wanting local wireless support
A free desktop emulator with broad graphics-backend support and local wireless features.
- Source available
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Ruzu -
Best forFree cross-platform desktop and Android use
A free, open-source emulator for desktop and Android users who can manage source-based setup.
- Motion controls
- Source available
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Nuzu -
Best forWindows users needing game management
A Windows-focused emulator with practical game, firmware, and add-on management.
- Source available
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit NxEmu -
Best forMac users wanting library-focused emulation
A library-focused Switch 1 emulator for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 15 or later.
- Resolution scaling
- Motion controls
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Astris -
Best foriPhone and iPad users
An open-source iPhone and iPad emulator with broad input and graphics options.
- Motion controls
- Source available
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit MeloNX -
Best forUsers prioritizing upscaling and frame features
A preview-stage emulator focused on legal homebrew, upscaling, and frame features.
- Resolution scaling
- Source available
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Sumi -
Best forDevelopers wanting a broad-source project
A source-first Switch emulator project for developers comfortable with builds and compilation.
- Source available
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Torzu -
Best forAndroid users focused on homebrew
An experimental Android emulator project for homebrew-focused users.
- Source available
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Strato -
Best forAndroid ARM64 users wanting tuning controls
A free, configurable Android ARM64 emulator for users comfortable building from source.
- Source available
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenSw -
Best forAndroid users with Bluetooth controllers
A feature-rich Android emulator for users with compatible phones and controllers.
- Motion controls
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit EggNS -
Best forExperimenters interested in broad platform architecture
An open-source emulator architecture project, but nothing runs yet.
- Source available
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Voland -
Best forSoftware security teams, not emulator users
A capable CodeQL security analyzer, but not a Nintendo Switch emulator.
2.0/10★☆☆☆☆Visit GitHub CodeQL -
Best forNix CI teams, not emulator users
A focused, self-hosted CI system for Nix projects—not a Nintendo Switch emulator.
1.5/10★☆☆☆☆Visit NixOS -
Best forViewing images across desktop operating systems
A capable image viewer, but not a Nintendo Switch emulator.
1.0/10☆☆☆☆☆Visit site
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Source available | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eden | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Citron NEO | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | Ryujinx Classic | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | Ryubing | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | NeXium | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, Android | Yes | 8.6 |
| 6 | Hyjinx | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 7 | Ruzu | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck, Ubuntu | Yes | 8.2 |
| 8 | Nuzu | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android | Yes | 8.0 |
| 9 | NxEmu | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | 7.8 |
| 10 | Astris | Free | macOS | No | 7.6 | |
| 11 | MeloNX | Free | iOS (iPhone and iPad) | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 12 | Sumi | Free | Android, Windows, Linux | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 13 | Torzu | Free | Linux, Windows, Android, macOS | Yes | 6.9 | |
| 14 | Strato | Free | android | Yes | 6.7 | |
| 15 | OpenSw | Yes | Free | Android ARM64 | Yes | 6.5 |
| 16 | EggNS | Android | 6.3 | |||
| 17 | Voland | Free | web, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux, Xbox | Yes | 6.1 | |
| 18 | GitHub CodeQL | Yes | $30/user/mo | 2.0 | ||
| 19 | Hydra | Free | 1.5 | |||
| 20 | Pineapple Pictures | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux | 1.0 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Eden vs Citron NEO
- Eden vs Ryujinx Classic
- Eden vs Ryubing
- Eden vs NeXium
- Eden vs Hyjinx
- Eden vs Ruzu
- Eden vs Nuzu
- Citron NEO vs Ryujinx Classic
- Citron NEO vs Ryubing
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How we rank nintendo switch emulators
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update