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Head-to-head · Game Boy Advance Emulators

RetroArch vs Delta

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score RetroArch #3 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit RetroArch
Delta #8 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Delta

RetroArch leads on 0 checks, Delta on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRetroArch · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

RetroArch scores higher on our rubric for game boy advance emulators: 9.0 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

RetroArch is the better fit for multi-platform users wanting netplay and broad features. Delta is the better fit for apple users wanting multi-system emulation and sync.

  • RetroArch fits best

    Multi-platform users wanting netplay and broad features

  • Delta fits best

    Apple users wanting multi-system emulation and sync

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature RetroArch 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Delta 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.3
Ranking #3 in Game Boy Advance Emulators #8 in Game Boy Advance Emulators
Best for Multi-platform users wanting netplay and broad features Apple users wanting multi-system emulation and sync
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android iOS, macOS
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features RetroArch 1/5 · Delta 1/5
Save states Not checked yet Not checked yet
Link multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Graphics enhancements Not checked yet Not checked yet
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform scope Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source across web, desktop, iOS, and Android
  • Netplay includes lobbies, hosting, joining, and spectator mode
  • Playlists, remapping, shaders, recording, rewind, and latency features
  • Supports GBA plus NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, DS, and Genesis beta
  • Syncs games, saves, cheats, skins, and mappings through Google Drive or Dropbox
  • Works with Bluetooth, wired, MFi, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo controllers
Cons
  • Core and feature availability varies by platform and distribution
  • BIOS requirements vary by core and content
  • Does not distribute copyrighted BIOS files
  • Available on iOS and macOS rather than Android or other platforms
  • Genesis and Mega Drive emulation is listed as beta
  • Paid items are patron-benefit purchases rather than conventional software plans
Our verdict

RetroArch is an open-source frontend for the libretro API, combining emulator, game-engine, and media-player cores in one graphical interface. It is aimed at users who want to launch supported games, organize collections, configure…

Read the review →

Delta is a free, open-source emulator for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple silicon Mac, and Apple Vision devices. It is aimed at Apple users who want Game Boy Advance emulation alongside support for NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game…

Read the review →
  1. RetroArchGame Boy Advance Emulators 9.0Free plan
  2. DeltaGame Boy Advance Emulators 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RetroArch — where it wins

    • Free and open source across web, desktop, iOS, and Android
    • Netplay includes lobbies, hosting, joining, and spectator mode
    • Playlists, remapping, shaders, recording, rewind, and latency features

    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

  • Delta — where it wins

    • Supports GBA plus NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, DS, and Genesis beta
    • Syncs games, saves, cheats, skins, and mappings through Google Drive or Dropbox
    • Works with Bluetooth, wired, MFi, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo controllers

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on iOS and macOS rather than Android or other platforms
    • Genesis and Mega Drive emulation is listed as beta
    • Paid items are patron-benefit purchases rather than conventional software plans

More comparisons

All game boy advance emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update