melonDS vs Pilas-melonDS

melonDS9.3Visit PMPilas-melonDS8.9Visit

Higher score melonDS #2 in Nintendo DS Emulators 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit melonDS

vs

PM Pilas-melonDS #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Pilas-melonDS

• melonDS fits best

  Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi

• Pilas-melonDS fits best

  Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

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Side by side

Feature	melonDS 9.3/10 Visit ↗	PMPilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Nintendo DS Emulators	#3 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for	Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi	Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features melonDS 0/4 · Pilas-melonDS 3/4
Save states	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Local multiplayer	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Nintendo DSi support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Cheat support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices
Screen layout options	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux Local multiplayer over LAN or Wi-Fi Upscaling, JIT recompilation, saves, microphone, and RTC support	Runs Nintendo DS software in desktop and mobile browsers Supports persistent saves and up to six save-state slots per ROM Offers DSi mode, multiple inputs, and browser multiplayer bridges
Cons	DSi emulation remains work in progress Desktop-only deployment limits use on mobile devices Focuses on Nintendo DS and DSi rather than broader system support	DSi mode is experimental Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
Our verdict	melonDS is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop computers. It is intended for users who want to run Nintendo DS software on a computer with legally obtained game images and firmware dumps. The project… Read the review →	Pilas-melonDS is an HTML5/WebAssembly frontend for the melonDS emulator core. It runs legally dumped Nintendo DS or DSi software through desktop and mobile web browsers, rather than as a native desktop application. The project supports… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• melonDS — where it wins

  • Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Local multiplayer over LAN or Wi-Fi
  • Upscaling, JIT recompilation, saves, microphone, and RTC support

  Where it doesn't

  • DSi emulation remains work in progress
  • Desktop-only deployment limits use on mobile devices
  • Focuses on Nintendo DS and DSi rather than broader system support

• Pilas-melonDS — where it wins

  • Runs Nintendo DS software in desktop and mobile browsers
  • Supports persistent saves and up to six save-state slots per ROM
  • Offers DSi mode, multiple inputs, and browser multiplayer bridges

  Where it doesn't

  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application

• melonDS9.3/10 · Free plan

  A capable desktop DS emulator with LAN multiplayer, upscaling, and in-progress DSi support.

  Visit melonDSFull verdict →
• PMPilas-melonDS8.9/10 · Free plan

  Free browser emulation with DSi support, persistent saves, and multiplayer bridges.

  Visit Pilas-melonDSFull verdict →