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Head-to-head · Game Boy Emulators

Gearboy vs BGB

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Gearboy #2 in Game Boy Emulators 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Gearboy
BGB #3 in Game Boy Emulators 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit BGB

Gearboy leads on 0 checks, BGB on 2, and 4 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 scoreGearboy · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresBGB · 5 of 5

Gearboy scores higher on our rubric for game boy emulators: 9.3 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

BGB offers netplay; Gearboy doesn't publish it. BGB offers real-time clock; Gearboy doesn't publish it.

Gearboy is the better fit for maximum platform coverage and debugging tools. BGB is the better fit for windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging.

  • Gearboy fits best

    Maximum platform coverage and debugging tools

  • BGB fits best

    Windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Gearboy 9.3/10 Visit ↗ BGB 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.2
Ranking #2 in Game Boy Emulators #3 in Game Boy Emulators
Best for Maximum platform coverage and debugging tools Windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Gearboy 3/5 · BGB 5/5
Save states ✓ ✓
Link cable emulation ✓ ✓
Netplay Not published ✓ (best)
Real-time clock Not published ✓ (best)
Controller support ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported systems Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Super Game Boy Game Boy; Game Boy Color; Super Game Boy
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, RetroArch/libretro, iOS, Android, Raspberry Pi, tvOS, webOS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo WiiU, Nintendo Switch, Emscripten, OpenDingux, RetroFW, QNX Windows; Wine on Linux and macOS
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Game Boy, Color and Super Game Boy emulation
  • Includes local two-instance link-cable emulation and rewind
  • Adds breakpoints, disassembly, memory inspection and AI-assisted debugging
  • Hardware-accurate emulation with timing, RTC, and link support
  • Debugger includes disassembly, breakpoints, watchpoints, and register editing
  • Free access with save states, rewind, cheats, and recording
Cons
  • Link-cable emulation is local two-instance rather than online play
  • Its focus is limited to the Game Boy family of systems
  • Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs
  • Primary platform support centers on Windows
  • Focuses on Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy systems
  • Advanced debugging tools may exceed casual emulation needs
Our verdict

Gearboy is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy software. It suits players who want broad platform access, save-state convenience and controller support, as well as technical users interested in…

Read the review →

BGB is a free emulator and debugger for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy software. It is aimed at Windows users who care about accurate hardware behavior, timing, and access to development-oriented tools alongside standard…

Read the review →
  1. GearboyGame Boy Emulators 9.3Free plan
  2. BGBGame Boy Emulators 9.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Gearboy — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy, Color and Super Game Boy emulation
    • Includes local two-instance link-cable emulation and rewind
    • Adds breakpoints, disassembly, memory inspection and AI-assisted debugging

    Where it doesn't

    • Link-cable emulation is local two-instance rather than online play
    • Its focus is limited to the Game Boy family of systems
    • Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs

  • BGB — where it wins

    • Hardware-accurate emulation with timing, RTC, and link support
    • Debugger includes disassembly, breakpoints, watchpoints, and register editing
    • Free access with save states, rewind, cheats, and recording

    Where it doesn't

    • Primary platform support centers on Windows
    • Focuses on Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy systems
    • Advanced debugging tools may exceed casual emulation needs
  • Gearboy9.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free emulator with strong save, link-cable and debugging features.

    Visit GearboyFull verdict →
  • BGB9.2/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows emulator with hardware-accurate timing and unusually deep debugging tools.

    Visit BGBFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game boy emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on game boy emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update