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Head-to-head · Sega CD Emulators

Genesis Plus GX vs Provenance

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Genesis Plus GX #1 in Sega CD Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Try Genesis Plus GX
Provenance #8 in Sega CD Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Provenance

Genesis Plus GX leads on 0 checks, Provenance on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGenesis Plus GX · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGenesis Plus GX · 3 of 4

Genesis Plus GX scores higher on our rubric for sega cd emulators: 9.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Genesis Plus GX is the better fit for free, feature-rich Sega CD emulation. Provenance is the better fit for apple users prioritizing library management.

  • Genesis Plus GX fits best

    Free, feature-rich Sega CD emulation

  • Provenance fits best

    Apple users prioritizing library management

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Side by side

Feature Genesis Plus GX 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Provenance 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.2
Ranking #1 in Sega CD Emulators #8 in Sega CD Emulators
Best for Free, feature-rich Sega CD emulation Apple users prioritizing library management
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $39.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Mobile
Platforms Windows iOS
Support Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Genesis Plus GX 3/4 · Provenance 1/4
Save states ✓ (best) Not checked yet
CD audio support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Netplay ✓ ✓
Cheat support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
BIOS requirement Not checked yet Not checked yet
License Not checked yet Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • Covers Genesis, Mega CD, Master System, Game Gear, and SG-1000
  • Includes save states, cheats, display filters, and hardware emulation
  • Works with RetroArch, BizHawk, and OpenEmu
  • Automatic artwork, screenshots, ratings, manuals, and metadata
  • CHD disc-image support for CD-based cores
  • iCloud, CloudKit, WebDAV, AirDrop, and RetroAchievements support
Cons
  • Sega PICO emulation is preliminary
  • Netplay is available through the libretro core
  • Free use is limited to non-commercial use under its license
  • Some systems require BIOS files, with requirements varying by system
  • Native Provenance online play is still described as in development
  • App Store and sideloaded builds may differ in availability and supported systems
Our verdict

Genesis Plus GX is an open-source emulator for Sega’s 8-bit and 16-bit systems, with particular value for Genesis/Mega Drive and Sega/Mega CD libraries. It also supports Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, and preliminary Sega PICO…

Read the review →

Provenance is a free, open-source multi-system emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. It supports dozens of classic systems across Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Sony, NEC, SNK, and arcade platforms. Its strongest appeal is library management:…

Read the review →
  1. Genesis Plus GXSega CD Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. ProvenanceSega CD Emulators 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Genesis Plus GX — where it wins

    • Covers Genesis, Mega CD, Master System, Game Gear, and SG-1000
    • Includes save states, cheats, display filters, and hardware emulation
    • Works with RetroArch, BizHawk, and OpenEmu

    Where it doesn't

    • Sega PICO emulation is preliminary
    • Netplay is available through the libretro core
    • Free use is limited to non-commercial use under its license

  • Provenance — where it wins

    • Automatic artwork, screenshots, ratings, manuals, and metadata
    • CHD disc-image support for CD-based cores
    • iCloud, CloudKit, WebDAV, AirDrop, and RetroAchievements support

    Where it doesn't

    • Some systems require BIOS files, with requirements varying by system
    • Native Provenance online play is still described as in development
    • App Store and sideloaded builds may differ in availability and supported systems

More comparisons

All sega CD emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update