Head-to-head · Neo Geo Emulators
NEO.emu vs NeoCD-Libretro
NEO.emu leads on 2 checks, NeoCD-Libretro on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreNEO.emu · 9.0/10
- Free planonly NeoCD-Libretro
- Most featuresNEO.emu · 3 of 6
NEO.emu scores higher on our rubric for neo geo emulators: 9.0 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
NeoCD-Libretro offers free plan; NEO.emu doesn't. NEO.emu offers aes emulation; NeoCD-Libretro doesn't. NEO.emu offers mvs emulation; NeoCD-Libretro doesn't.
NEO.emu is the better fit for feature-rich AES/MVS play across devices. NeoCD-Libretro is the better fit for free Neo Geo CD emulation with save features.
- NEO.emu fits best
Feature-rich AES/MVS play across devices
- NeoCD-Libretro fits best
Free Neo Geo CD emulation with save features
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Side by side
| Feature | NEO.emu 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | NeoCD-Libretro 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #2 in Neo Geo Emulators | #8 in Neo Geo Emulators |
| Best for | Feature-rich AES/MVS play across devices | Free Neo Geo CD emulation with save features |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile | Desktop |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Support | Email, Docs, Community | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features NEO.emu 3/6 · NeoCD-Libretro 2/6 | ||
| AES emulation | ✓ (best) | — |
| MVS emulation | ✓ (best) | — |
| Neo Geo CD support | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Related SNK arcade | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Netplay | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Save states | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | NEO.emu is an open-source emulator for Neo Geo MVS and AES software, aimed at players who want configurable controls and support across Android, iOS and Linux. It is based on a modified version of GnGeo and supports MAME 0.144 or newer ROM… Read the review → |
NeoCD-Libretro is a free, open-source libretro core for emulating Neo Geo CD software through RetroArch. It is aimed at players who want Neo Geo CD support across Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi, with options for both disc-image handling… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
NEO.emu — where it wins
- Supports both Neo Geo MVS and AES software
- Universe BIOS enables region and mode editing
- Save states and Bluetooth/USB HID controller support
Where it doesn't
- No free plan is available
- ROM files must be supplied by the user
- Paid distribution may not suit occasional players
NeoCD-Libretro — where it wins
- Hardware-level Neo Geo CD-ROM emulation
- Supports CUE and MAME CHD disc images
- Savestates, rewind, region selection, and CD speed controls
Where it doesn't
- Requires RetroArch as a libretro core host
- Does not support Neo Geo AES or MVS
- Platform support centers on Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi
- NEO.emu9.0/10 · Paid
A paid, open-source emulator with broad Neo Geo support and flexible controls.
Visit NEO.emuFull verdict → - NeoCD-Libretro7.6/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source Neo Geo CD core with broad image, audio, and save support.
Visit libretroFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- NEO.emu vs NeoDS
- NEO.emu vs GnGeo
- NeoRAGEx vs NeoCD-Libretro
All neo geo emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update