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Head-to-head · Game Boy Emulators

SameBoy vs Gearboy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SameBoy #1 in Game Boy Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit SameBoy
Gearboy #2 in Game Boy Emulators 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Gearboy

SameBoy leads on 0 checks, Gearboy on 3, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSameBoy · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGearboy · 3 of 5

SameBoy scores higher on our rubric for game boy emulators: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Gearboy offers save states; SameBoy doesn't publish it. Gearboy offers link cable emulation; SameBoy doesn't publish it. Gearboy offers controller support; SameBoy doesn't publish it.

SameBoy is the better fit for broad, accurate emulation across desktop and iOS. Gearboy is the better fit for maximum platform coverage and debugging tools.

  • SameBoy fits best

    Broad, accurate emulation across desktop and iOS

  • Gearboy fits best

    Maximum platform coverage and debugging tools

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Side by side

Feature SameBoy 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Gearboy 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Game Boy Emulators #2 in Game Boy Emulators
Best for Broad, accurate emulation across desktop and iOS Maximum platform coverage and debugging tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features SameBoy 0/5 · Gearboy 3/5
Save states Not published ✓ (best)
Link cable emulation Not published ✓ (best)
Netplay Not published Not published
Real-time clock Not published Not published
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, macOS, Linux, BSD, RetroArch/libretro, iOS, Android, Raspberry Pi, tvOS, webOS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo WiiU, Nintendo Switch, Emscripten, OpenDingux, RetroFW, QNX
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
  • Supports Game Boy, Color and Super Game Boy emulation
  • Includes local two-instance link-cable emulation and rewind
  • Adds breakpoints, disassembly, memory inspection and AI-assisted debugging
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
  • Link-cable emulation is local two-instance rather than online play
  • Its focus is limited to the Game Boy family of systems
  • Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ 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 →

Gearboy is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy software. It suits players who want broad platform access, save-state convenience and controller support, as well as technical users interested in…

Read the review →
  1. SameBoyGame Boy Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. GearboyGame Boy Emulators 9.3Free plan

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

  • Gearboy — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy, Color and Super Game Boy emulation
    • Includes local two-instance link-cable emulation and rewind
    • Adds breakpoints, disassembly, memory inspection and AI-assisted debugging

    Where it doesn't

    • Link-cable emulation is local two-instance rather than online play
    • Its focus is limited to the Game Boy family of systems
    • Advanced debugging features may exceed casual players’ needs

More comparisons

All game boy emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on game boy emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update