Provenance vs MAME

Provenance8.7Visit MAME8.4Visit

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

vs

MAME #6 in Multi-System Emulators 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit MAME

• Provenance fits best

  Apple users wanting synced emulation libraries

• MAME fits best

  Arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage

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Side by side

Feature	Provenance 8.7/10 Visit ↗	MAME 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.4
Ranking	#4 in Multi-System Emulators	#6 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for	Apple users wanting synced emulation libraries	Arcade-focused users needing broad hardware coverage
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
Features Provenance 4/5 · MAME 5/5
Android support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Arcade support	✓	✓
Netplay	✓	✓
BIOS required	✓	✓
Shader/upscaling	✓	✓
Specs
Supported systems	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	Covers arcade machines, computers, consoles, chess computers and calculators Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android-related builds Includes network-linked play plus HLSL and GLSL display effects
Cons	Coverage is limited to Apple platforms Some systems require BIOS files Online play depends on supported RetroArch-based cores	Requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data Configuration can vary across the many supported systems Network-linked play is available only for supported 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 →	MAME is a free, open-source emulation framework for preserving and documenting vintage hardware. It is aimed at users who want one project covering arcade machines, computers, video game consoles, chess computers, calculators and other… 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

• MAME — where it wins

  • Covers arcade machines, computers, consoles, chess computers and calculators
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android-related builds
  • Includes network-linked play plus HLSL and GLSL display effects

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data
  • Configuration can vary across the many supported systems
  • Network-linked play is available only for supported systems

• Provenance8.7/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ProvenanceFull verdict →
• MAME8.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free emulator framework for arcade systems and vintage hardware.

  Visit MAMEFull verdict →