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Head-to-head · Sega Master System Emulators

MasterGear vs SMS Plus GX

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score MasterGear #2 in Sega Master System Emulators 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit MasterGear
SMS Plus GX #8 in Sega Master System Emulators 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Libretro

MasterGear leads on 1 check, SMS Plus GX 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 scoreMasterGear · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMasterGear · 3 of 5

MasterGear scores higher on our rubric for sega master system emulators: 9.0 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

SMS Plus GX offers source available; MasterGear doesn't. MasterGear offers netplay support; SMS Plus GX doesn't.

MasterGear is the better fit for users prioritizing mature SMS features and NetPlay. SMS Plus GX is the better fit for android and Linux users wanting practical SMS tools.

  • MasterGear fits best

    Users prioritizing mature SMS features and NetPlay

  • SMS Plus GX fits best

    Android and Linux users wanting practical SMS tools

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Side by side

Feature MasterGear 9.0/10 Visit ↗ SMS Plus GX 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.9
Ranking #2 in Sega Master System Emulators #8 in Sega Master System Emulators
Best for Users prioritizing mature SMS features and NetPlay Android and Linux users wanting practical SMS tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux, Android Android, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features MasterGear 3/5 · SMS Plus GX 2/5
Source available — ✓ (best)
Built-in debugger ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Netplay support ✓ (best) —
Cheat support ✓ ✓
BIOS required — —
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, Android Android, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Master System, Game Gear, SG1000, and related Sega systems
  • Includes built-in debugging, NetPlay, save states, and cheat tools
  • Offers configurable video options, FM sound, and serial EEPROM emulation
  • Supports Sega Master System and Game Gear software
  • Includes save states, rewind, cheats, and controller remapping
  • Offers configurable hardware, region, and video filtering options
Cons
  • Android access is paid, while Windows and Linux versions are free
  • Does not include game ROMs
  • Not open source and has no AI features
  • Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch
  • Netplay is not supported
  • ColecoVision support is experimental and requires a separate BIOS
Our verdict

MasterGear is an emulator for Sega Master System software and a broad group of related 8-bit systems, including Game Gear, SG1000, SC3000, SF7000, Mark II, and Mark III. It is aimed at players and preservation-focused users who provide…

Read the review →

SMS Plus GX is an open-source libretro emulator core for Sega Master System and Game Gear software, with experimental ColecoVision support. It suits Android and Linux users who want a free way to run supported retro cartridge image formats…

Read the review →
  1. MasterGearSega Master System Emulators 9.0Free plan
  2. SMS Plus GXSega Master System Emulators 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MasterGear — where it wins

    • Supports Master System, Game Gear, SG1000, and related Sega systems
    • Includes built-in debugging, NetPlay, save states, and cheat tools
    • Offers configurable video options, FM sound, and serial EEPROM emulation

    Where it doesn't

    • Android access is paid, while Windows and Linux versions are free
    • Does not include game ROMs
    • Not open source and has no AI features

  • SMS Plus GX — where it wins

    • Supports Sega Master System and Game Gear software
    • Includes save states, rewind, cheats, and controller remapping
    • Offers configurable hardware, region, and video filtering options

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch
    • Netplay is not supported
    • ColecoVision support is experimental and requires a separate BIOS

More comparisons

All sega master system emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update