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Head-to-head · Multi-System Emulators

EmulatorJS vs Dolphin

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score EmulatorJS #5 in Multi-System Emulators 8.5/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit EmulatorJS
Dolphin #10 in Multi-System Emulators 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Dolphin

EmulatorJS leads on 1 check, Dolphin on 1, 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 scoreEmulatorJS · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly Dolphin
  • Most featuresDolphin · 4 of 5

EmulatorJS scores higher on our rubric for multi-system emulators: 8.5 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #10.

EmulatorJS leads on supported systems: 36 versus 3. Dolphin offers netplay; EmulatorJS doesn't.

EmulatorJS is the better fit for websites needing broad browser emulation. Dolphin is the better fit for gameCube and Wii emulation.

  • EmulatorJS fits best

    Websites needing broad browser emulation

  • Dolphin fits best

    GameCube and Wii emulation

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Side by side

Feature EmulatorJS 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Dolphin 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.8
Ranking #5 in Multi-System Emulators #10 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for Websites needing broad browser emulation GameCube and Wii emulation
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo
Features EmulatorJS 3/5 · Dolphin 4/5
Android support ✓ ✓
Arcade support ✓ ✓
Netplay — ✓ (best)
BIOS required Not checked yet —
Shader/upscaling ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported systems 36 (best) 3
License Open-source Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • Supports GameCube, Wii, and Triforce arcade emulation
  • HD rendering, shaders, turbo speed, and game-specific profiles
  • Free, open source, and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Cons
  • 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.
  • Some Triforce arcade features remain limited
  • BIOS files are needed for some advanced or hardware-authentic features
  • Online netplay is available for desktop systems
Our verdict

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 →

Dolphin is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii games, with support for Sega, Namco, and Nintendo’s Triforce arcade platform. It is aimed at players who want to run these systems on 64-bit Windows, macOS, Linux, or…

Read the review →
  1. EmulatorJSMulti-System Emulators 8.5Open source
  2. DolphinMulti-System Emulators 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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.

  • Dolphin — where it wins

    • Supports GameCube, Wii, and Triforce arcade emulation
    • HD rendering, shaders, turbo speed, and game-specific profiles
    • Free, open source, and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Some Triforce arcade features remain limited
    • BIOS files are needed for some advanced or hardware-authentic features
    • Online netplay is available for desktop systems

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