kat5200 vs Stella

kat52008.7Visit Stella8.5Visit

Higher score kat5200 #5 in Atari Emulators 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit kat5200

vs

Stella #7 in Atari Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Stella

• kat5200 fits best

  Atari 5200 and computer systems

• Stella fits best

  Atari 2600 users wanting mature desktop tools

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Side by side

Feature	kat5200 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Stella 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.5
Ranking	#5 in Atari Emulators	#7 in Atari Emulators
Best for	Atari 5200 and computer systems	Atari 2600 users wanting mature desktop tools
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features kat5200 3/4 · Stella 2/4
Save states	✓	✓
Netplay	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Controller remapping	✓	✓
BIOS required	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Atari systems	Atari 5200, Atari 400, Atari 800, Atari 800 XL, Atari 800 XE	Atari 2600 VCS
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros	Supports Atari 5200, 400/800, and XL/XE systems Scans ROM libraries and supports searchable launching Offers per-ROM settings, save states, and input remapping	Free, open-source Atari 2600 VCS emulation Time Machine saves, remapping, and high-score saving Debugger, CRT effects, launcher, and peripheral support
Cons	Requires users to provide the BIOS and software files Does not include copyrighted BIOS or game ROM files Android installation uses a direct APK rather than the Play Store	Focused on Atari 2600 VCS rather than multiple Atari systems Desktop platforms only: Windows, macOS, and Linux Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs
Our verdict	kat5200 is a free, open-source emulator for the Atari 5200 SuperSystem and Atari 8-bit computer families, including the Atari 400, 800, 800 XL, and 800 XE. It is aimed at people who want one application for these systems across Windows,… Read the review →	Stella is a free, open-source emulator for Atari 2600 VCS games, aimed at players, preservation-minded users, and developers inspecting Atari 2600 software. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and loads supported ROM images through an… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• kat5200 — where it wins

  • Supports Atari 5200, 400/800, and XL/XE systems
  • Scans ROM libraries and supports searchable launching
  • Offers per-ROM settings, save states, and input remapping

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires users to provide the BIOS and software files
  • Does not include copyrighted BIOS or game ROM files
  • Android installation uses a direct APK rather than the Play Store

• Stella — where it wins

  • Free, open-source Atari 2600 VCS emulation
  • Time Machine saves, remapping, and high-score saving
  • Debugger, CRT effects, launcher, and peripheral support

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Atari 2600 VCS rather than multiple Atari systems
  • Desktop platforms only: Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs

• kat52008.7/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source emulator with broad Atari system and input support.

  Visit kat5200Full verdict →
• Stella8.5/10 · Free plan

  A capable free Atari 2600 emulator for desktop play, inspection, and development.

  Visit StellaFull verdict →