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Head-to-head · SNES Emulators

Snes9x vs bsnes

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Snes9x #1 in SNES Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Snes9x
bsnes #2 in SNES Emulators 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit bsnes

Snes9x leads on 0 checks, bsnes on 0, and 4 are 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 scoreSnes9x · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresbsnes · 3 of 5

Snes9x scores higher on our rubric for snes emulators: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Snes9x is the better fit for most SNES players on desktop and Android. bsnes is the better fit for SNES users wanting broad platform coverage.

  • Snes9x fits best

    Most SNES players on desktop and Android

  • bsnes fits best

    SNES users wanting broad platform coverage

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Side by side

Feature Snes9x 9.4/10 Visit ↗ bsnes 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.2
Ranking #1 in SNES Emulators #2 in SNES Emulators
Best for Most SNES players on desktop and Android SNES users wanting broad platform coverage
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Snes9x 0/5 · bsnes 3/5
Online multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Rewind Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Shader support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cheat support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
RetroAchievements Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Emulation format Not checked yet Both
Our review
Pros
  • Supports SNES and Super Famicom games across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Covers custom chips, peripherals, filters, save states, and cheat formats
  • Includes recording, playback, and multiplayer support for up to five players
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
  • Includes rewind, run-ahead, shaders, cheats, and recording
  • Emulates Satellaview and SNES coprocessors
Cons
  • Netplay has not been maintained or tested for a long time and may be broken
  • The official website is largely archival and directs users to download mirrors
  • Its focus is limited to SNES and Super Famicom emulation
  • Mobile builds are distributed through RetroArch guidance
  • Its focus is limited to SNES and Super Famicom emulation
  • Advanced features may require more configuration than basic playback
Our verdict

Snes9x is a free, open-source emulator for Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Famicom games. It is designed for players who want to run this console library on Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android, with libretro core builds…

Read the review →

bsnes is an open-source emulator for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Famicom. It is aimed at players who want accurate hardware emulation across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The feature set covers core…

Read the review →
  1. Snes9xSNES Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. bsnesSNES Emulators 9.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Snes9x — where it wins

    • Supports SNES and Super Famicom games across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
    • Covers custom chips, peripherals, filters, save states, and cheat formats
    • Includes recording, playback, and multiplayer support for up to five players

    Where it doesn't

    • Netplay has not been maintained or tested for a long time and may be broken
    • The official website is largely archival and directs users to download mirrors
    • Its focus is limited to SNES and Super Famicom emulation

  • bsnes — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
    • Includes rewind, run-ahead, shaders, cheats, and recording
    • Emulates Satellaview and SNES coprocessors

    Where it doesn't

    • Mobile builds are distributed through RetroArch guidance
    • Its focus is limited to SNES and Super Famicom emulation
    • Advanced features may require more configuration than basic playback
  • Snes9x9.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source SNES emulator with broad hardware, graphics, save, and cheat support.

    Visit Snes9xFull verdict →
  • bsnes9.2/10 · Free plan

    A feature-rich, open-source SNES emulator for users who value platform coverage.

    Visit bsnesFull verdict →

More comparisons

All SNES emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update