Altirra vs kat5200

AAltirra9.2Visit kat52008.7Visit

Higher score A Altirra #2 in Atari Emulators 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Altirra

vs

kat5200 #5 in Atari Emulators 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit kat5200

• Altirra fits best

  Deep Atari computer emulation on Windows

• kat5200 fits best

  Atari 5200 and computer systems

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Side by side

Feature	AAltirra 9.2/10 Visit ↗	kat5200 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Atari Emulators	#5 in Atari Emulators
Best for	Deep Atari computer emulation on Windows	Atari 5200 and computer systems
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Altirra 2/4 · kat5200 3/4
Save states	✓	✓
Netplay	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Controller remapping	✓	✓
BIOS required	—	✓ (best)
Specs
Atari systems	Atari 400/800, 1200XL, 600/800XL, 130XE, XEGS, 5200	Atari 5200, Atari 400, Atari 800, Atari 800 XL, Atari 800 XE
Supported platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Our review
Pros	Cycle-exact emulation covers documented Atari hardware features. Broad image, cartridge, expansion, disk, and controller support. Debugger, save states, recording, and profiling support deeper work.	Supports Atari 5200, 400/800, and XL/XE systems Scans ROM libraries and supports searchable launching Offers per-ROM settings, save states, and input remapping
Cons	Available for Windows only. Focused on Atari 8-bit computers and the 5200. Real kernel ROM images may improve compatibility in some cases.	Requires users to provide the BIOS and software files Does not include copyrighted BIOS or game ROM files Android installation uses a direct APK rather than the Play Store
Our verdict	Altirra is a free, open-source emulator for Atari 8-bit computers and the Atari 5200, designed for Windows. It covers the Atari 400/800, 1200XL, 600/800XL, 130XE, XEGS, and 5200, making it a fit for users who want more than basic game… Read the review →	kat5200 is a free, open-source emulator for the Atari 5200 SuperSystem and Atari 8-bit computer families, including the Atari 400, 800, 800 XL, and 800 XE. It is aimed at people who want one application for these systems across Windows,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Altirra — where it wins

  • Cycle-exact emulation covers documented Atari hardware features.
  • Broad image, cartridge, expansion, disk, and controller support.
  • Debugger, save states, recording, and profiling support deeper work.

  Where it doesn't

  • Available for Windows only.
  • Focused on Atari 8-bit computers and the 5200.
  • Real kernel ROM images may improve compatibility in some cases.

• kat5200 — where it wins

  • Supports Atari 5200, 400/800, and XL/XE systems
  • Scans ROM libraries and supports searchable launching
  • Offers per-ROM settings, save states, and input remapping

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires users to provide the BIOS and software files
  • Does not include copyrighted BIOS or game ROM files
  • Android installation uses a direct APK rather than the Play Store

• AAltirra9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, deep emulator for Atari software, hardware behavior, development, and debugging.

  Visit AltirraFull verdict →
• kat52008.7/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source emulator with broad Atari system and input support.

  Visit kat5200Full verdict →