mGBA vs Retra

mGBA9.0Visit RRetra7.1Visit

Higher score mGBA #1 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit mGBA

vs

R Retra #5 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Retra

• mGBA fits best

  Desktop users wanting a complete open-source emulator

• Retra fits best

  Android users wanting careful save and ROM handling

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Side by side

Feature	mGBA 9.0/10 Visit ↗	RRetra 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	7.1
Ranking	#1 in Game Boy Advance Emulators	#5 in Game Boy Advance Emulators
Best for	Desktop users wanting a complete open-source emulator	Android users wanting careful save and ROM handling
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Android
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features mGBA 1/5 · Retra 4/5
Save states	Not published	✓ (best)
Link multiplayer	Not published	Not published
Cheat support	Not published	✓ (best)
Graphics enhancements	Not published	✓ (best)
Open source	✓	✓
Specs
Platform scope	Not published	Mobile
Our review
Pros	Supports Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color Emulates peripherals, saves, cheats, scripting, and graphics upscaling Includes map and frame inspection for debugging workflows	Save states, local saves, backups, and save timelines Checksum-verified ROM imports with GBA, ZIP, UPS, IPS, and BPS support Open-source Android app with cheats, rewind, patches, and custom controls
Cons	No netplay support Official Android and iOS versions are not currently available Link-cable support is partial	Android-only platform scope Android build, device-testing, and ABI validation gaps remain APK releases require testing and sideloading
Our verdict	mGBA is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color software. It is aimed at desktop users on Windows, macOS, and Linux, while also offering homebrew downloads for Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii, and… Read the review →	Retra combines Game Boy Advance emulation with a local game archive, save manager, patch workspace, and homebrew hub for Android users. It uses an mGBA libretro core and organizes imported games with search, filters, artwork-based grid… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• mGBA — where it wins

  • Supports Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color
  • Emulates peripherals, saves, cheats, scripting, and graphics upscaling
  • Includes map and frame inspection for debugging workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • No netplay support
  • Official Android and iOS versions are not currently available
  • Link-cable support is partial

• Retra — where it wins

  • Save states, local saves, backups, and save timelines
  • Checksum-verified ROM imports with GBA, ZIP, UPS, IPS, and BPS support
  • Open-source Android app with cheats, rewind, patches, and custom controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Android-only platform scope
  • Android build, device-testing, and ABI validation gaps remain
  • APK releases require testing and sideloading

• mGBA9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source desktop emulator with broad emulation and debugging tools.

  Visit mGBAFull verdict →
• RRetra7.1/10 · Free plan

  A careful Android GBA emulator with deep save management and verified imports.

  Visit RetraFull verdict →