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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DeSmuME vs Pilas-melonDS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score DeSmuME #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DeSmuME
Pilas-melonDS #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Pilas-melonDS

DeSmuME leads on 0 checks, Pilas-melonDS 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 scoreDeSmuME · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPilas-melonDS · 3 of 4

DeSmuME scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

DeSmuME is the better fit for free, full-featured desktop DS emulation. Pilas-melonDS is the better fit for browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support.

  • DeSmuME fits best

    Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation

  • Pilas-melonDS fits best

    Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

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Side by side

Feature DeSmuME 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Pilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features DeSmuME 0/4 · Pilas-melonDS 3/4
Save states Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Local multiplayer Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Nintendo DSi support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices
Screen layout options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop systems
  • Offers high-resolution 3D with GPU scaling and multiple renderers
  • Includes touchscreen, microphone, save, and Action Replay support
  • Runs Nintendo DS software in desktop and mobile browsers
  • Supports persistent saves and up to six save-state slots per ROM
  • Offers DSi mode, multiple inputs, and browser multiplayer bridges
Cons
  • Wi-Fi emulation is not supported
  • Linux users may need to build from source
  • Focused only on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite
  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
Our verdict

DeSmuME is a free, open-source desktop emulator for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite software. It is intended for users who want to run Nintendo DS titles on Windows, macOS, or Linux computers. Its feature set covers the core DS hardware…

Read the review →

Pilas-melonDS is an HTML5/WebAssembly frontend for the melonDS emulator core. It runs legally dumped Nintendo DS or DSi software through desktop and mobile web browsers, rather than as a native desktop application. The project supports…

Read the review →
  1. DeSmuMENintendo DS Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. Pilas-melonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DeSmuME — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop systems
    • Offers high-resolution 3D with GPU scaling and multiple renderers
    • Includes touchscreen, microphone, save, and Action Replay support

    Where it doesn't

    • Wi-Fi emulation is not supported
    • Linux users may need to build from source
    • Focused only on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite

  • Pilas-melonDS — where it wins

    • Runs Nintendo DS software in desktop and mobile browsers
    • Supports persistent saves and up to six save-state slots per ROM
    • Offers DSi mode, multiple inputs, and browser multiplayer bridges

    Where it doesn't

    • DSi mode is experimental
    • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
    • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application

More comparisons

All nintendo DS emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update