Panda3DS vs 3Beans

Panda3DS8.5Visit 33Beans8.3Visit

Higher score Panda3DS #5 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Panda3DS

vs

3 3Beans #6 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit 3Beans

• Panda3DS fits best

  Users wanting cheats and motion controls

• 3Beans fits best

  Desktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation

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Side by side

Feature	Panda3DS 8.5/10 Visit ↗	33Beans 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.3
Ranking	#5 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators	#6 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators
Best for	Users wanting cheats and motion controls	Desktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation
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	Community, Docs	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Panda3DS 2/5 · 3Beans 1/5
System software support	✓	✓
Save states	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Graphics upscaling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cheat support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Online multiplayer	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros	Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android Includes cheats, Lua scripting, and motion controls Loads multiple 3DS-related ROM formats	Boots the 3DS operating system and Home Menu Supports software and hardware GPU rendering Handles cartridge auto-boot and encrypted cartridge dumps
Cons	Game compatibility varies by title and platform Graphics, audio, and performance vary by game The Qt desktop interface is experimental	Game compatibility remains limited Requires files dumped from a physical 3DS with homebrew access New 3DS has more issues and runs much slower than Old 3DS
Our verdict	Panda3DS is an open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C++, with desktop builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux alongside an Android build. It is aimed at Nintendo 3DS players, emulator developers, and enthusiasts who want game… Read the review →	3Beans is an open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It models the console at a low level, including its operating system, and can boot the 3DS Home Menu and launch some Nintendo 3DS games. Its audience is desktop… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Panda3DS — where it wins

  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Includes cheats, Lua scripting, and motion controls
  • Loads multiple 3DS-related ROM formats

  Where it doesn't

  • Game compatibility varies by title and platform
  • Graphics, audio, and performance vary by game
  • The Qt desktop interface is experimental

• 3Beans — where it wins

  • Boots the 3DS operating system and Home Menu
  • Supports software and hardware GPU rendering
  • Handles cartridge auto-boot and encrypted cartridge dumps

  Where it doesn't

  • Game compatibility remains limited
  • Requires files dumped from a physical 3DS with homebrew access
  • New 3DS has more issues and runs much slower than Old 3DS

• Panda3DS8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free, flexible 3DS emulator for users who value cheats and motion controls.

  Visit Panda3DSFull verdict →
• 33Beans8.3/10 · Free plan

  Free, open-source 3DS emulation with system software support and limited game coverage.

  Visit 3BeansFull verdict →