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Head-to-head · Nintendo 3DS Emulators

AzaharPlus vs Panda3DS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score AzaharPlus #3 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.9/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit AzaharPlus
Panda3DS #5 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Panda3DS

AzaharPlus leads on 0 checks, Panda3DS on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAzaharPlus · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Panda3DS
  • Most featuresAzaharPlus · 3 of 5

AzaharPlus scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 3ds emulators: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

AzaharPlus is the better fit for users needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility. Panda3DS is the better fit for users wanting cheats and motion controls.

  • AzaharPlus fits best

    Users needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility

  • Panda3DS fits best

    Users wanting cheats and motion controls

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Side by side

Feature AzaharPlus 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Panda3DS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.5
Ranking #3 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators #5 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators
Best for Users needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility Users wanting cheats and motion controls
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Community Community, Docs
Features AzaharPlus 3/5 · Panda3DS 2/5
System software support ✓ ✓
Save states ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Graphics upscaling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cheat support ✓ ✓
Online multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Windows, Linux, and Android, including Android 9.
  • Includes built-in cheats, save states, and Amiibo generation.
  • Adds older-CPU support and multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks.
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Includes cheats, Lua scripting, and motion controls
  • Loads multiple 3DS-related ROM formats
Cons
  • Its platform coverage is limited to Windows, Linux, and Android.
  • Multiplayer details focus on fork compatibility rather than online play.
  • Its focus is Nintendo 3DS emulation rather than broader console coverage.
  • Game compatibility varies by title and platform
  • Graphics, audio, and performance vary by game
  • The Qt desktop interface is experimental
Our verdict

AzaharPlus is an open-source fork of the Azahar Nintendo 3DS emulator for users who want to run supported 3DS game files on desktop and mobile platforms. It supports Windows, Linux, and Android, with Android 9 compatibility included among…

Read the review →

Panda3DS is an open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C++, with desktop builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux alongside an Android build. It is aimed at Nintendo 3DS players, emulator developers, and enthusiasts who want game…

Read the review →
  1. AzaharPlusNintendo 3DS Emulators 8.9Open source
  2. Panda3DSNintendo 3DS Emulators 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AzaharPlus — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, Linux, and Android, including Android 9.
    • Includes built-in cheats, save states, and Amiibo generation.
    • Adds older-CPU support and multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its platform coverage is limited to Windows, Linux, and Android.
    • Multiplayer details focus on fork compatibility rather than online play.
    • Its focus is Nintendo 3DS emulation rather than broader console coverage.

  • Panda3DS — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
    • Includes cheats, Lua scripting, and motion controls
    • Loads multiple 3DS-related ROM formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Game compatibility varies by title and platform
    • Graphics, audio, and performance vary by game
    • The Qt desktop interface is experimental

More comparisons

All nintendo 3DS emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update