FS-UAE vs Denise

FS-UAE8.7Visit DDenise8.2Visit

Higher score FS-UAE #4 in Amiga Emulators 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit FS-UAE

vs

D Denise #5 in Amiga Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Denise

• FS-UAE fits best

  Free desktop emulation with online multiplayer

• Denise fits best

  Cycle-accurate desktop emulation and debugging

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Side by side

Feature	FS-UAE 8.7/10 Visit ↗	DDenise 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.2
Ranking	#4 in Amiga Emulators	#5 in Amiga Emulators
Best for	Free desktop emulation with online multiplayer	Cycle-accurate desktop emulation and debugging
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Docs, Tickets
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features FS-UAE 3/4 · Denise 2/4
Save states	✓	✓
Netplay	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Kickstart included	—	Not checked yet
Hardware acceleration	✓	✓
Specs
Amiga models	A500, A500+, A600, A1000, A1200, A1200/020, A3000, A4000/040, CD32, CDTV	A1000 (OCS/ICS), A500 (full OCS), A500 (ECS Agnus with OCS Denise), A500+, A600
Host platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows 7+, macOS (Intel and ARM), Linux, BSD
Disk image formats	ADF, IPF, DMS, ADZ, ZIP	ADF, HD-ADF, HDF, IPF, DMS, SCP
Our review
Pros	Supports major Amiga models from A500 through A4000, CD32, and CDTV Synchronized netplay enables online multiplayer Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with save states and OpenGL graphics	Cycle-accurate OCS and ECS Amiga emulation Save states, rewind, RunAhead, shaders, and hard-disk support Built-in debugger and disassembler for technical users
Cons	Original Kickstart ROMs are not supplied Focused on desktop Amiga game emulation Configuration still requires compatible disk images or ROM resources	Amiga coverage is centered on A1000, A500, A500+, and A600 Desktop-focused platform support excludes mobile systems Requires compatible ROM files for documented Kickstart support
Our verdict	FS-UAE is a free, open-source desktop emulator for running Amiga games on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is aimed at players and preservation-minded users who want a graphical setup experience through FS-UAE Launcher, alongside support for… Read the review →	Denise is a free, open-source desktop emulator for Commodore 64 and Amiga systems. It is aimed at users who want cycle-accurate emulation, configurable virtual hardware, and tools for examining software behavior. Its Amiga support covers… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• FS-UAE — where it wins

  • Supports major Amiga models from A500 through A4000, CD32, and CDTV
  • Synchronized netplay enables online multiplayer
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with save states and OpenGL graphics

  Where it doesn't

  • Original Kickstart ROMs are not supplied
  • Focused on desktop Amiga game emulation
  • Configuration still requires compatible disk images or ROM resources

• Denise — where it wins

  • Cycle-accurate OCS and ECS Amiga emulation
  • Save states, rewind, RunAhead, shaders, and hard-disk support
  • Built-in debugger and disassembler for technical users

  Where it doesn't

  • Amiga coverage is centered on A1000, A500, A500+, and A600
  • Desktop-focused platform support excludes mobile systems
  • Requires compatible ROM files for documented Kickstart support

• FS-UAE8.7/10 · Free plan

  Free, open-source Amiga emulation with save states and synchronized online play.

  Visit FS-UAEFull verdict →
• DDenise8.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source emulator with strong accuracy and useful debugging tools.

  Visit DeniseFull verdict →