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Head-to-head · Sega CD Emulators

PicoDrive vs Provenance

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score PicoDrive #3 in Sega CD Emulators 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit PicoDrive
Provenance #8 in Sega CD Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Provenance

PicoDrive leads on 0 checks, Provenance on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePicoDrive · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

PicoDrive scores higher on our rubric for sega cd emulators: 9.1 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

On license, PicoDrive gives you Freeware where Provenance offers Open-source.

PicoDrive is the better fit for free Sega-family emulation on desktop. Provenance is the better fit for apple users prioritizing library management.

  • PicoDrive fits best

    Free Sega-family emulation on desktop

  • Provenance fits best

    Apple users prioritizing library management

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Side by side

Feature PicoDrive 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Provenance 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.2
Ranking #3 in Sega CD Emulators #8 in Sega CD Emulators
Best for Free Sega-family emulation on desktop Apple users prioritizing library management
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $39.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Mobile
Platforms Windows, Linux iOS
Support Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features PicoDrive 1/4 · Provenance 1/4
Save states ✓ (best) Not checked yet
CD audio support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Netplay Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
BIOS requirement Not checked yet Not checked yet
License Freeware Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • Covers Mega Drive, Mega CD, 32X, Pico, and other Sega systems
  • Emulates Sega Mouse, SC-3000 keyboards, and cassette-drive behavior
  • Supports save states and Libretro core compilation
  • Automatic artwork, screenshots, ratings, manuals, and metadata
  • CHD disc-image support for CD-based cores
  • iCloud, CloudKit, WebDAV, AirDrop, and RetroAchievements support
Cons
  • Verified desktop support is limited to Windows and Linux
  • Commercial use is prohibited by the license
  • Current development is centered on a fork updated more frequently
  • Some systems require BIOS files, with requirements varying by system
  • Native Provenance online play is still described as in development
  • App Store and sideloaded builds may differ in availability and supported systems
Our verdict

PicoDrive is a Sega console emulator for desktop users who want coverage across the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega/Mega CD, 32X, Sega Pico, SG-1000, SC-3000, Master System/Mark III, and Game Gear. It is particularly suited to people looking for…

Read the review →

Provenance is a free, open-source multi-system emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. It supports dozens of classic systems across Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Sony, NEC, SNK, and arcade platforms. Its strongest appeal is library management:…

Read the review →
  1. PicoDriveSega CD Emulators 9.1Free plan
  2. ProvenanceSega CD Emulators 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PicoDrive — where it wins

    • Covers Mega Drive, Mega CD, 32X, Pico, and other Sega systems
    • Emulates Sega Mouse, SC-3000 keyboards, and cassette-drive behavior
    • Supports save states and Libretro core compilation

    Where it doesn't

    • Verified desktop support is limited to Windows and Linux
    • Commercial use is prohibited by the license
    • Current development is centered on a fork updated more frequently

  • Provenance — where it wins

    • Automatic artwork, screenshots, ratings, manuals, and metadata
    • CHD disc-image support for CD-based cores
    • iCloud, CloudKit, WebDAV, AirDrop, and RetroAchievements support

    Where it doesn't

    • Some systems require BIOS files, with requirements varying by system
    • Native Provenance online play is still described as in development
    • App Store and sideloaded builds may differ in availability and supported systems

More comparisons

All sega CD emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update