Head-to-head · Game Boy Advance Emulators
Retra vs GSE
Retra leads on 1 check, GSE on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreRetra · 7.1/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresRetra · 4 of 5
Retra scores higher on our rubric for game boy advance emulators: 7.1 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.
On platform scope, GSE gives you Desktop and mobile where Retra offers Mobile. Retra offers cheat support; GSE doesn't.
Retra is the better fit for android users wanting careful save and ROM handling. GSE is the better fit for speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging.
- Retra fits best
Android users wanting careful save and ROM handling
- GSE fits best
Speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging
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Side by side
| Feature | Retra 7.1/10 Visit ↗ | GSE 6.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.1 | 6.9 |
| Ranking | #5 in Game Boy Advance Emulators | #6 in Game Boy Advance Emulators |
| Best for | Android users wanting careful save and ROM handling | Speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Mobile | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Retra 4/5 · GSE 3/5 | ||
| Save states | ✓ | ✓ |
| Link multiplayer | Not published | Not published |
| Cheat support | ✓ (best) | — |
| Graphics enhancements | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Platform scope | Mobile | Desktop and mobile |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Retra combines Game Boy Advance emulation with a local game archive, save manager, patch workspace, and homebrew hub for Android users. It uses an mGBA libretro core and organizes imported games with search, filters, artwork-based grid… Read the review → |
GSE is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. Its primary audience is speedrunners, especially those who need accurate timing, consistent frame pacing, low input latency, input logging, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Retra — where it wins
- Save states, local saves, backups, and save timelines
- Checksum-verified ROM imports with GBA, ZIP, UPS, IPS, and BPS support
- Open-source Android app with cheats, rewind, patches, and custom controls
Where it doesn't
- Android-only platform scope
- Android build, device-testing, and ABI validation gaps remain
- APK releases require testing and sideloading
GSE — where it wins
- Console-accurate timing for supported Game Boy Advance speedruns
- Input logging and 100 savestate slots support run verification
- Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android releases
Where it doesn't
- No cheat support
- Its design prioritizes speedrunning over general-purpose emulation
- The feature set is narrower than a broader gaming-focused emulator
- Retra7.1/10 · Free plan
A careful Android GBA emulator with deep save management and verified imports.
Visit RetraFull verdict → - GSE6.9/10 · Free plan
A focused, free emulator for speedrunners who need timing accuracy and run verification.
Visit GSEFull verdict →
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Guides on game boy advance emulators
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update