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Head-to-head · Multi-System Emulators

Foxol vs MAME

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Foxol #2 in Multi-System Emulators 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Foxol
MAME #6 in Multi-System Emulators 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit MAME

Foxol leads on 0 checks, MAME on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFoxol · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMAME · 5 of 5

Foxol scores higher on our rubric for multi-system emulators: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Foxol is the better fit for cross-device users wanting cloud saves and multiplayer. MAME is the better fit for arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage.

  • Foxol fits best

    Cross-device users wanting cloud saves and multiplayer

  • MAME fits best

    Arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Foxol 9.1/10 Visit ↗ MAME 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #2 in Multi-System Emulators #6 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for Cross-device users wanting cloud saves and multiplayer Arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Email, Community Community, Docs
Features Foxol 3/5 · MAME 5/5
Android support ✓ ✓
Arcade support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Netplay ✓ ✓
BIOS required Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Shader/upscaling ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported systems 20 Not checked yet
License Not checked yet Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • Supports more than 20 classic gaming systems
  • Cloud save synchronization and cross-device play
  • Online multiplayer, remote co-op, and Link Cable functionality
  • 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
  • Requires legally obtained classic game files
  • Focused on classic systems rather than current consoles
  • Advanced features may suit enthusiasts more than casual players
  • 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

Foxol is a cross-platform emulator platform for playing legally obtained classic game files in a browser, on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It supports more than 20 gaming systems, including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy…

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 →
  1. FoxolMulti-System Emulators 9.1Free plan
  2. MAMEMulti-System Emulators 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Foxol — where it wins

    • Supports more than 20 classic gaming systems
    • Cloud save synchronization and cross-device play
    • Online multiplayer, remote co-op, and Link Cable functionality

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires legally obtained classic game files
    • Focused on classic systems rather than current consoles
    • Advanced features may suit enthusiasts more than casual players
  • 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
  • Foxol9.1/10 · Free plan

    Foxol combines multi-system emulation, cloud saves, and multiplayer across web, desktop, and mobile.

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

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

    Visit MAMEFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update