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Head-to-head · SNES Emulators

Snes9x vs RetroArch

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Snes9x #1 in SNES Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Snes9x
RetroArch #4 in SNES Emulators 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit RetroArch

Snes9x leads on 0 checks, RetroArch on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSnes9x · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

Snes9x scores higher on our rubric for snes emulators: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Snes9x is the better fit for most SNES players on desktop and Android. RetroArch is the better fit for users wanting a broad multi-platform emulator hub.

  • Snes9x fits best

    Most SNES players on desktop and Android

  • RetroArch fits best

    Users wanting a broad multi-platform emulator hub

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Side by side

Feature Snes9x 9.4/10 Visit ↗ RetroArch 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in SNES Emulators #4 in SNES Emulators
Best for Most SNES players on desktop and Android Users wanting a broad multi-platform emulator hub
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Snes9x 0/5 · RetroArch 0/5
Online multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Rewind Not checked yet Not checked yet
Shader support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
RetroAchievements Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Emulation format Not checked yet Not checked yet
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
  • Unified interface with downloadable emulator and game-engine cores
  • Collection scanning, playlists, controller mapping, shaders, and filters
  • Netplay, recording, streaming, rewind, runahead, and achievements
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
  • Available cores and features vary by platform and distribution
  • BIOS requirements vary by core and content
  • Does not distribute copyrighted BIOS files
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 →

RetroArch is an open-source frontend built around the libretro API. It brings emulator, game-engine, and media-player cores into one graphical interface, with versions for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It is suited to users…

Read the review →
  1. Snes9xSNES Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. RetroArchSNES Emulators 8.6Free 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

  • RetroArch — where it wins

    • Unified interface with downloadable emulator and game-engine cores
    • Collection scanning, playlists, controller mapping, shaders, and filters
    • Netplay, recording, streaming, rewind, runahead, and achievements

    Where it doesn't

    • Available cores and features vary by platform and distribution
    • BIOS requirements vary by core and content
    • Does not distribute copyrighted BIOS files

More comparisons

All SNES emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update