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Head-to-head · SNES Emulators

Snes9x vs nSide Balanced

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Snes9x #1 in SNES Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Snes9x
nSide Balanced #6 in SNES Emulators 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Libretro

Snes9x leads on 0 checks, nSide Balanced on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 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 featuresnSide Balanced · 2 of 5

Snes9x scores higher on our rubric for snes emulators: 9.4 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Snes9x is the better fit for most SNES players on desktop and Android. nSide Balanced is the better fit for libretro users wanting simple SNES netplay.

  • Snes9x fits best

    Most SNES players on desktop and Android

  • nSide Balanced fits best

    Libretro users wanting simple SNES netplay

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Side by side

Feature Snes9x 9.4/10 Visit ↗ nSide Balanced 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.1
Ranking #1 in SNES Emulators #6 in SNES Emulators
Best for Most SNES players on desktop and Android Libretro users wanting simple SNES netplay
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Snes9x 0/5 · nSide Balanced 2/5
Online multiplayer Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Rewind Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Shader support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet —
RetroAchievements Not checked yet —
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Libretro frontend; RetroArch
Emulation format Not checked yet Libretro
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 SNES/SFC, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color content
  • Includes save states, rewind, netplay, and controller remapping
  • Offers softpatching, resolution controls, color, blur, and multitap support
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
  • Requires a Libretro frontend such as RetroArch
  • Does not support cheats
  • Does not include RetroAchievements support
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 →

nSide Balanced is an open-source Libretro emulation core based on higan’s Balanced profile. It targets SNES and Super Famicom content, while also supporting Game Boy and Game Boy Color content. Its feature set suits players who want a…

Read the review →
  1. Snes9xSNES Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. nSide BalancedSNES Emulators 8.1Free 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

  • nSide Balanced — where it wins

    • Supports SNES/SFC, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color content
    • Includes save states, rewind, netplay, and controller remapping
    • Offers softpatching, resolution controls, color, blur, and multitap support

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Libretro frontend such as RetroArch
    • Does not support cheats
    • Does not include RetroAchievements support

More comparisons

All SNES emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update