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Head-to-head · Neo Geo Emulators

Geolith vs GnGeo

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Geolith #1 in Neo Geo Emulators 9.4/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Geolith
GnGeo #7 in Neo Geo Emulators 7.8/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 6 features Visit GnGeo

Geolith leads on 0 checks, GnGeo 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 scoreGeolith · 9.4/10
  • Most featuresGeolith · 3 of 6

Geolith scores higher on our rubric for neo geo emulators: 9.4 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Geolith is the better fit for broad Neo Geo coverage on desktop. GnGeo is the better fit for linux users who need save states.

  • Geolith fits best

    Broad Neo Geo coverage on desktop

  • GnGeo fits best

    Linux users who need save states

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Side by side

Feature Geolith 9.4/10 Visit ↗ GnGeo 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.8
Ranking #1 in Neo Geo Emulators #7 in Neo Geo Emulators
Best for Broad Neo Geo coverage on desktop Linux users who need save states
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Open source
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux
Features Geolith 3/6 · GnGeo 2/6
AES emulation ✓ ✓
MVS emulation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Neo Geo CD support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Related SNK arcade Not checked yet Not checked yet
Netplay Not checked yet Not checked yet
Save states Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Linux, macOS, BSD, Windows Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Covers AES, MVS, Neo Geo CD/CDZ, and .NEO cartridges
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD environments
  • Handles diverse controllers, memory cards, and disc-image formats
  • Save states support pausing and resuming NeoGeo games.
  • Configurable controls include joysticks and per-player mapping.
  • Supports AES emulation, scaling, sound, and multiple CPU cores.
Cons
  • Build instructions require compilation on supported environments
  • The documented focus is desktop operating systems
  • Configuration depth may require tuning across regions and display modes
  • Linux is the only verified supported platform.
  • Compiling from source requires technical setup effort.
  • A NeoGeo BIOS and legally obtained game files are required.
Our verdict

Geolith is an open-source emulator for SNK Neo Geo AES home-console software, MVS arcade software, Neo Geo CD, and CDZ titles. It is aimed at desktop users who want one project covering multiple Neo Geo formats rather than a tool limited…

Read the review →

GnGeo is a free, open-source NeoGeo emulator distributed as a source-code project. It is aimed at technically oriented Linux users who want to run NeoGeo ROM sets with control, display, audio, and system-mode configuration. Its feature set…

Read the review →
  1. GeolithNeo Geo Emulators 9.4Open source
  2. GnGeoNeo Geo Emulators 7.8Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Geolith — where it wins

    • Covers AES, MVS, Neo Geo CD/CDZ, and .NEO cartridges
    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD environments
    • Handles diverse controllers, memory cards, and disc-image formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Build instructions require compilation on supported environments
    • The documented focus is desktop operating systems
    • Configuration depth may require tuning across regions and display modes

  • GnGeo — where it wins

    • Save states support pausing and resuming NeoGeo games.
    • Configurable controls include joysticks and per-player mapping.
    • Supports AES emulation, scaling, sound, and multiple CPU cores.

    Where it doesn't

    • Linux is the only verified supported platform.
    • Compiling from source requires technical setup effort.
    • A NeoGeo BIOS and legally obtained game files are required.

More comparisons

All neo geo emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update