Provenance vs Dolphin

Provenance8.7Visit DDolphin7.8Visit

Higher score Provenance #4 in Multi-System Emulators 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Provenance

vs

D Dolphin #10 in Multi-System Emulators 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Dolphin

• Provenance fits best

  Apple users wanting synced emulation libraries

• Dolphin fits best

  GameCube and Wii emulation

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Side by side

Feature	Provenance 8.7/10 Visit ↗	DDolphin 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.8
Ranking	#4 in Multi-System Emulators	#10 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for	Apple users wanting synced emulation libraries	GameCube and Wii emulation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo
Features Provenance 4/5 · Dolphin 4/5
Android support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Arcade support	✓	✓
Netplay	✓	✓
BIOS required	✓ (best)	—
Shader/upscaling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported systems	Not checked yet	3
License	Open-source	Open-source
Our review
Pros	Supports dozens of classic systems, including arcade platforms Adds artwork, screenshots, ratings, manuals, and metadata automatically Offers iCloud sync, cheats, CHD support, filters, and multiplayer	Supports GameCube, Wii, and Triforce arcade emulation HD rendering, shaders, turbo speed, and game-specific profiles Free, open source, and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Cons	Coverage is limited to Apple platforms Some systems require BIOS files Online play depends on supported RetroArch-based cores	Some Triforce arcade features remain limited BIOS files are needed for some advanced or hardware-authentic features Online netplay is available for desktop systems
Our verdict	Provenance is a free, open-source multi-system emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. It is designed for Apple users who want one organized library spanning dozens of classic gaming systems, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Sony, NEC,… Read the review →	Dolphin is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii games, with support for Sega, Namco, and Nintendo’s Triforce arcade platform. It is aimed at players who want to run these systems on 64-bit Windows, macOS, Linux, or… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Provenance — where it wins

  • Supports dozens of classic systems, including arcade platforms
  • Adds artwork, screenshots, ratings, manuals, and metadata automatically
  • Offers iCloud sync, cheats, CHD support, filters, and multiplayer

  Where it doesn't

  • Coverage is limited to Apple platforms
  • Some systems require BIOS files
  • Online play depends on supported RetroArch-based cores

• Dolphin — where it wins

  • Supports GameCube, Wii, and Triforce arcade emulation
  • HD rendering, shaders, turbo speed, and game-specific profiles
  • Free, open source, and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Some Triforce arcade features remain limited
  • BIOS files are needed for some advanced or hardware-authentic features
  • Online netplay is available for desktop systems

• Provenance8.7/10 · Free plan

  A broad Apple-focused emulator with synced libraries, metadata, cheats, and multiplayer.

  Visit ProvenanceFull verdict →
• DDolphin7.8/10 · Free plan

  A mature, free emulator with broad GameCube and Wii features across four platforms.

  Visit DolphinFull verdict →