ares vs MAME

ares8.8Visit MAME8.4Visit

Higher score ares #3 in Multi-System Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit ares

vs

MAME #6 in Multi-System Emulators 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit MAME

• ares fits best

  Desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation

• MAME fits best

  Arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage

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Side by side

Feature	ares 8.8/10 Visit ↗	MAME 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#3 in Multi-System Emulators	#6 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for	Desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation	Arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community	Community, Docs
Features ares 3/5 · MAME 5/5
Android support	—	✓ (best)
Arcade support	✓	✓
Netplay	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
BIOS required	✓	✓
Shader/upscaling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported systems	34	Not checked yet
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	Covers arcade machines, computers, consoles, chess computers and calculators Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android-related builds Includes network-linked play plus HLSL and GLSL display effects
Cons	Desktop-only availability excludes Android devices BIOS files are required for some emulated systems No verified netplay support is documented	Requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data Configuration can vary across the many supported systems Network-linked play is available only for supported systems
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 →	MAME is a free, open-source emulation framework for preserving and documenting vintage hardware. It is aimed at users who want one project covering arcade machines, computers, video game consoles, chess computers, calculators and other… Read the review →

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

• MAME — where it wins

  • Covers arcade machines, computers, consoles, chess computers and calculators
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android-related builds
  • Includes network-linked play plus HLSL and GLSL display effects

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data
  • Configuration can vary across the many supported systems
  • Network-linked play is available only for supported systems

• ares8.8/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit aresFull verdict →
• MAME8.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free emulator framework for arcade systems and vintage hardware.

  Visit MAMEFull verdict →