Altirra vs Stella

AAltirra9.2Visit Stella8.5Visit

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

vs

Stella #7 in Atari Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Stella

• Altirra fits best

  Deep Atari computer emulation on Windows

• Stella fits best

  Atari 2600 users wanting mature desktop tools

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Side by side

Feature	AAltirra 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Stella 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.5
Ranking	#2 in Atari Emulators	#7 in Atari Emulators
Best for	Deep Atari computer emulation on Windows	Atari 2600 users wanting mature desktop tools
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Altirra 2/4 · Stella 2/4
Save states	✓	✓
Netplay	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Controller remapping	✓	✓
BIOS required	—	Not checked yet
Specs
Atari systems	Atari 400/800, 1200XL, 600/800XL, 130XE, XEGS, 5200	Atari 2600 VCS
Supported platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
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.	Free, open-source Atari 2600 VCS emulation Time Machine saves, remapping, and high-score saving Debugger, CRT effects, launcher, and peripheral support
Cons	Available for Windows only. Focused on Atari 8-bit computers and the 5200. Real kernel ROM images may improve compatibility in some cases.	Focused on Atari 2600 VCS rather than multiple Atari systems Desktop platforms only: Windows, macOS, and Linux Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs
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 →	Stella is a free, open-source emulator for Atari 2600 VCS games, aimed at players, preservation-minded users, and developers inspecting Atari 2600 software. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and loads supported ROM images through an… 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.

• Stella — where it wins

  • Free, open-source Atari 2600 VCS emulation
  • Time Machine saves, remapping, and high-score saving
  • Debugger, CRT effects, launcher, and peripheral support

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Atari 2600 VCS rather than multiple Atari systems
  • Desktop platforms only: Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs

• AAltirra9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit AltirraFull verdict →
• Stella8.5/10 · Free plan

  A capable free Atari 2600 emulator for desktop play, inspection, and development.

  Visit StellaFull verdict →