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Head-to-head · Multi-System Emulators

ares vs EmulatorJS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score ares #3 in Multi-System Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit ares
EmulatorJS #5 in Multi-System Emulators 8.5/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit EmulatorJS

ares leads on 0 checks, EmulatorJS on 2, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreares · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly ares

ares scores higher on our rubric for multi-system emulators: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

EmulatorJS leads on supported systems: 36 versus 34. EmulatorJS offers android support; ares doesn't.

ares is the better fit for desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation. EmulatorJS is the better fit for websites needing broad browser emulation.

  • ares fits best

    Desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation

  • EmulatorJS fits best

    Websites needing broad browser emulation

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Side by side

Feature ares 8.8/10 Visit ↗ EmulatorJS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #3 in Multi-System Emulators #5 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for Desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation Websites needing broad browser emulation
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, iOS, Android
Support Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ares 3/5 · EmulatorJS 3/5
Android support — ✓ (best)
Arcade support ✓ ✓
Netplay Not checked yet —
BIOS required ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Shader/upscaling ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported systems 34 36 (best)
License Open-source Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • Supports emulation across 34 console, handheld, computer, and arcade systems
  • Includes save states, rewind, run-ahead, shaders, and color correction
  • Offers input mapping, debugging, CHD support, and a compatibility database
  • Embeddable WebAssembly RetroArch cores cover 36 systems.
  • Includes save states, recording, cheats, shaders, and cache management.
  • Maps keyboards and controllers for up to four players.
Cons
  • Desktop-only availability excludes Android devices
  • BIOS files are required for some emulated systems
  • No verified netplay support is documented
  • Netplay is not currently supported.
  • Its scope centers on web embedding, not standalone ROM management.
  • The JavaScript and WebAssembly approach suits web projects more than native apps.
Our verdict

ares is a free, open-source emulator for classic consoles, handhelds, computers, and arcade hardware. It supports 34 systems, including NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, Mega CD, Neo Geo, and PlayStation.…

Read the review →

EmulatorJS is an open-source JavaScript framework for developers who want to embed playable retro-system emulation into websites. It uses RetroArch libretro cores compiled to WebAssembly and provides generated embed code for browser-based…

Read the review →
  1. aresMulti-System Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. EmulatorJSMulti-System Emulators 8.5Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ares — where it wins

    • Supports emulation across 34 console, handheld, computer, and arcade systems
    • Includes save states, rewind, run-ahead, shaders, and color correction
    • Offers input mapping, debugging, CHD support, and a compatibility database

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop-only availability excludes Android devices
    • BIOS files are required for some emulated systems
    • No verified netplay support is documented

  • EmulatorJS — where it wins

    • Embeddable WebAssembly RetroArch cores cover 36 systems.
    • Includes save states, recording, cheats, shaders, and cache management.
    • Maps keyboards and controllers for up to four players.

    Where it doesn't

    • Netplay is not currently supported.
    • Its scope centers on web embedding, not standalone ROM management.
    • The JavaScript and WebAssembly approach suits web projects more than native apps.
  • ares8.8/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free desktop emulator with preservation-focused tools and system-specific BIOS requirements.

    Visit aresFull verdict →
  • EmulatorJS8.5/10 · Open source

    A broad, open-source browser emulator for embedded retro-system play, without current netplay.

    Visit EmulatorJSFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Multi-System emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update