Provenance vs EmulatorJS

Provenance8.7Visit EmulatorJS8.5Visit

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

vs

EmulatorJS #5 in Multi-System Emulators 8.5/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit EmulatorJS

• Provenance fits best

  Apple users wanting synced emulation libraries

• EmulatorJS fits best

  Websites needing broad browser emulation

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Side by side

Feature	Provenance 8.7/10 Visit ↗	EmulatorJS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.5
Ranking	#4 in Multi-System Emulators	#5 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for	Apple users wanting synced emulation libraries	Websites needing broad browser emulation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Self-hosted
Platforms	iOS	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Provenance 4/5 · EmulatorJS 3/5
Android support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Arcade support	✓	✓
Netplay	✓ (best)	—
BIOS required	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Shader/upscaling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported systems	Not checked yet	36
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	Embeddable WebAssembly RetroArch cores cover 36 systems. Includes save states, recording, cheats, shaders, and cache management. Maps keyboards and controllers for up to four players.
Cons	Coverage is limited to Apple platforms Some systems require BIOS files Online play depends on supported RetroArch-based cores	Netplay is not currently supported. Its scope centers on web embedding, not standalone ROM management. The JavaScript and WebAssembly approach suits web projects more than native apps.
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 →	EmulatorJS is an open-source JavaScript framework for developers who want to embed playable retro-system emulation into websites. It uses RetroArch libretro cores compiled to WebAssembly and provides generated embed code for browser-based… 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

• EmulatorJS — where it wins

  • Embeddable WebAssembly RetroArch cores cover 36 systems.
  • Includes save states, recording, cheats, shaders, and cache management.
  • Maps keyboards and controllers for up to four players.

  Where it doesn't

  • Netplay is not currently supported.
  • Its scope centers on web embedding, not standalone ROM management.
  • The JavaScript and WebAssembly approach suits web projects more than native apps.

• Provenance8.7/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ProvenanceFull verdict →
• EmulatorJS8.5/10 · Open source

  A broad, open-source browser emulator for embedded retro-system play, without current netplay.

  Visit EmulatorJSFull verdict →