SameBoy vs BGB

SameBoy9.4Visit BBGB9.2Visit

Higher score SameBoy #1 in Game Boy Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit SameBoy

vs

B BGB #3 in Game Boy Emulators 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit BGB

• SameBoy fits best

  Broad, accurate emulation across desktop and iOS

• BGB fits best

  Windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging

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Side by side

Feature	SameBoy 9.4/10 Visit ↗	BBGB 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Game Boy Emulators	#3 in Game Boy Emulators
Best for	Broad, accurate emulation across desktop and iOS	Windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS	Windows
Support	Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features SameBoy 0/5 · BGB 5/5
Save states	Not published	✓ (best)
Link cable emulation	Not published	✓ (best)
Netplay	Not published	✓ (best)
Real-time clock	Not published	✓ (best)
Controller support	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported systems	Game Boy (DMG), Game Boy Pocket/Light (MGB), Game Boy Color (CGB), GBC-mode Game Boy Advance/Game Boy Player (AGB), Super Game Boy (SGB), Super Game Boy 2 (SGB2)	Game Boy; Game Boy Color; Super Game Boy
Supported platforms	Not published	Windows; Wine on Linux and macOS
Our review
Pros	Supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy software Includes link, infrared, camera and printer emulation Offers save states, rewind, cheats, debugging and controller support	Hardware-accurate emulation with timing, RTC, and link support Debugger includes disassembly, breakpoints, watchpoints, and register editing Free access with save states, rewind, cheats, and recording
Cons	Its focus is limited to the Game Boy family of systems The debugger uses a text-based interface Supporter tiers are in-app purchase options rather than feature bundles	Primary platform support centers on Windows Focuses on Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy systems Advanced debugging tools may exceed casual emulation needs
Our verdict	SameBoy is an open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy software. It is aimed at casual players and developers who want broad coverage of the Game Boy family across Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS. Desktop… Read the review →	BGB is a free emulator and debugger for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy software. It is aimed at Windows users who care about accurate hardware behavior, timing, and access to development-oriented tools alongside standard… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• SameBoy — where it wins

  • Supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy software
  • Includes link, infrared, camera and printer emulation
  • Offers save states, rewind, cheats, debugging and controller support

  Where it doesn't

  • Its focus is limited to the Game Boy family of systems
  • The debugger uses a text-based interface
  • Supporter tiers are in-app purchase options rather than feature bundles

• BGB — where it wins

  • Hardware-accurate emulation with timing, RTC, and link support
  • Debugger includes disassembly, breakpoints, watchpoints, and register editing
  • Free access with save states, rewind, cheats, and recording

  Where it doesn't

  • Primary platform support centers on Windows
  • Focuses on Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy systems
  • Advanced debugging tools may exceed casual emulation needs

• SameBoy9.4/10 · Free plan

  Accurate, feature-rich Game Boy emulation across desktop and iOS.

  Visit SameBoyFull verdict →
• BBGB9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows emulator with hardware-accurate timing and unusually deep debugging tools.

  Visit BGBFull verdict →