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Head-to-head · Multi-System Emulators

RetroArch vs ares

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score RetroArch #1 in Multi-System Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit RetroArch
ares #3 in Multi-System Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit ares

RetroArch leads on 1 check, ares on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRetroArch · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresRetroArch · 4 of 5

RetroArch scores higher on our rubric for multi-system emulators: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

RetroArch offers android support; ares doesn't.

RetroArch is the better fit for most users wanting a broad emulator hub. ares is the better fit for desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation.

  • RetroArch fits best

    Most users wanting a broad emulator hub

  • ares fits best

    Desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation

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Side by side

Feature RetroArch 9.4/10 Visit ↗ ares 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Multi-System Emulators #3 in Multi-System Emulators
Best for Most users wanting a broad emulator hub Desktop users wanting broad standalone emulation
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features RetroArch 4/5 · ares 3/5
Android support ✓ (best) —
Arcade support ✓ ✓
Netplay ✓ (best) Not checked yet
BIOS required Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Shader/upscaling ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported systems Not checked yet 34
License Open-source Open-source
Our review
Pros
  • Unified interface for launching, configuring, and organizing cores
  • Downloadable cores, playlists, shaders, netplay, recording, and rewind
  • Free and open source across web, desktop, iOS, and Android
  • Supports emulation across 34 console, handheld, computer, and arcade systems
  • Includes save states, rewind, run-ahead, shaders, and color correction
  • Offers input mapping, debugging, CHD support, and a compatibility database
Cons
  • Core and feature availability varies by platform and distribution
  • BIOS requirements vary by core and content
  • Does not distribute copyrighted BIOS files
  • Desktop-only availability excludes Android devices
  • BIOS files are required for some emulated systems
  • No verified netplay support is documented
Our verdict

RetroArch is an open-source frontend for the libretro API, bringing emulator, game-engine, and media-player cores into one interface. It is designed for people who want a broad emulator hub rather than separate applications for each…

Read the review →

ares is a free, open-source emulator for classic consoles, handhelds, computers, and arcade hardware. It supports 34 systems, including NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, Mega CD, Neo Geo, and PlayStation.…

Read the review →
  1. RetroArchMulti-System Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. aresMulti-System Emulators 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RetroArch — where it wins

    • Unified interface for launching, configuring, and organizing cores
    • Downloadable cores, playlists, shaders, netplay, recording, and rewind
    • Free and open source across web, desktop, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Core and feature availability varies by platform and distribution
    • BIOS requirements vary by core and content
    • Does not distribute copyrighted BIOS files

  • ares — where it wins

    • Supports emulation across 34 console, handheld, computer, and arcade systems
    • Includes save states, rewind, run-ahead, shaders, and color correction
    • Offers input mapping, debugging, CHD support, and a compatibility database

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop-only availability excludes Android devices
    • BIOS files are required for some emulated systems
    • No verified netplay support is documented
  • RetroArch9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free emulator hub with one interface for collections, cores, controls, and play.

    Visit RetroArchFull verdict →
  • ares8.8/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free desktop emulator with preservation-focused tools and system-specific BIOS requirements.

    Visit aresFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Multi-System emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update