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Head-to-head · Game Boy Emulators

Gearboy vs ChillyGB

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Gearboy #2 in Game Boy Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Gearboy
ChillyGB #7 in Game Boy Emulators 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit ChillyGB

Gearboy leads on 1 check, ChillyGB on 1, 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 · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth

Gearboy scores higher on our rubric for game boy emulators: 8.2 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Gearboy offers link cable emulation; ChillyGB doesn't. ChillyGB offers real-time clock; Gearboy doesn't publish it.

Gearboy is the better fit for maximum platform coverage and debugging tools. ChillyGB is the better fit for open-source GB/GBC emulation with debugging.

  • Gearboy fits best

    Maximum platform coverage and debugging tools

  • ChillyGB fits best

    Open-source GB/GBC emulation with 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 8.2/10 Visit ↗ ChillyGB 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 6.8
Ranking #2 in Game Boy Emulators #7 in Game Boy Emulators
Best for Maximum platform coverage and debugging tools Open-source GB/GBC emulation with debugging
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, Linux
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Gearboy 3/5 · ChillyGB 3/5
Save states ✓ ✓
Link cable emulation ✓ (best) —
Netplay Not published —
Real-time clock Not published ✓ (best)
Controller support ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported systems Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Super Game Boy Game Boy (DMG); Game Boy Color (CGB)
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 WebAssembly/browser; Windows; Linux; Nintendo Switch
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
  • Supports GB, GBC, multiple cartridge types and Pocket Camera
  • Includes BESS-compliant save states, RTC support and cheats
  • Offers browser access plus a debugger with instruction and memory views
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
  • No emulated link-cable support
  • No netplay or online multiplayer
  • Focuses on Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems
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 →

ChillyGB is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo Game Boy (DMG) and Game Boy Color (CGB) software. Written in C, it provides native builds for Windows and Linux alongside a WebAssembly version that runs in a browser. Its audience…

Read the review →
  1. GearboyGame Boy Emulators 8.2Free plan
  2. ChillyGBGame Boy Emulators 6.8Free 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

  • ChillyGB — where it wins

    • Supports GB, GBC, multiple cartridge types and Pocket Camera
    • Includes BESS-compliant save states, RTC support and cheats
    • Offers browser access plus a debugger with instruction and memory views

    Where it doesn't

    • No emulated link-cable support
    • No netplay or online multiplayer
    • Focuses on Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems

More comparisons

All game boy emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on game boy emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update