Head-to-head · Emulation Frontends
Batocera vs RetroBat
Batocera leads on 0 checks, RetroBat on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreBatocera · 8.8/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresBatocera · 1 of 6
Batocera scores higher on our rubric for emulation frontends: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.
Batocera is the better fit for linux devices and single-board computers. RetroBat is the better fit for windows emulation plus PC games.
- Batocera fits best
Linux devices and single-board computers
- RetroBat fits best
Windows emulation plus PC games
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Side by side
| Feature | Batocera 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | RetroBat 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #5 in Emulation Frontends | #7 in Emulation Frontends |
| Best for | Linux devices and single-board computers | Windows emulation plus PC games |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux | Windows |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Batocera 1/6 · RetroBat 0/6 | ||
| Emulators included | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Library import | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Metadata scraping | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Controller navigation | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Portable mode | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Cloud sync | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Batocera is a free, open-source Linux-based gaming platform built around EmulationStation. It is designed for people who want one interface to organize ROM collections and launch games through integrated emulators and cores. Its scope… Read the review → |
RetroBat is a free, open-source Windows frontend for organizing ROM collections, managing game lists, and launching compatible emulators. It also brings native Windows games from Steam, Epic, GOG, Amazon, and EA into the same library. The… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Batocera — where it wins
- Supports numerous console, arcade, computer, and emulation systems
- Scrapes artwork, screenshots, video, and game information
- Includes controller configuration and Syncthing save synchronization
Where it doesn't
- Designed for Linux rather than a cross-platform desktop audience
- Syncthing synchronization is optional and not vendor-hosted cloud sync
- Hardware use depends on available images for supported devices
RetroBat — where it wins
- Free and open source with portable operation
- Supports emulators plus Steam, Epic, GOG, Amazon, and EA games
- Includes scraping, themes, controller setup, save states, and netplay
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform support
- Internet is required to download additional standalone emulators
- Manual metadata and media editing may add collection-maintenance work
- Batocera8.8/10 · Free plan
A free Linux frontend with broad system support, scraping, controller tools, and device images.
Visit BatoceraFull verdict → - RetroBat8.6/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source Windows hub for emulators, ROMs, and games from multiple PC stores.
Visit RetroBatFull verdict →
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All emulation frontends comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update