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Head-to-head · Game Boy Advance Emulators

VisualBoyAdvance-M vs GSE

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score VisualBoyAdvance-M #2 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit site
GSE #6 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit GSE

VisualBoyAdvance-M leads on 0 checks, GSE on 2, and 3 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 scoreVisualBoyAdvance-M · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGSE · 3 of 5

VisualBoyAdvance-M scores higher on our rubric for game boy advance emulators: 8.2 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

GSE offers save states; VisualBoyAdvance-M doesn't publish it. GSE offers graphics enhancements; VisualBoyAdvance-M doesn't publish it.

VisualBoyAdvance-M is the better fit for cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling. GSE is the better fit for speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging.

  • VisualBoyAdvance-M fits best

    Cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling

  • GSE fits best

    Speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging

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Side by side

Feature VisualBoyAdvance-M 8.2/10 Visit ↗ GSE 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 6.9
Ranking #2 in Game Boy Advance Emulators #6 in Game Boy Advance Emulators
Best for Cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling Speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features VisualBoyAdvance-M 1/5 · GSE 3/5
Save states Not published ✓ (best)
Link multiplayer Not published Not published
Cheat support Not published —
Graphics enhancements Not published ✓ (best)
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform scope Not published Desktop and mobile
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance software
  • Offers xBRZ, ScaleFX, Vulkan output, and a Libretro core
  • Includes linking, recording, Lua scripting, and Android builds
  • Console-accurate timing for supported Game Boy Advance speedruns
  • Input logging and 100 savestate slots support run verification
  • Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android releases
Cons
  • Reliable link netplay remains future work
  • Android builds are provided through the nightly channel
  • Different project pages may show different release versions
  • No cheat support
  • Its design prioritizes speedrunning over general-purpose emulation
  • The feature set is narrower than a broader gaming-focused emulator
Our verdict

VisualBoyAdvance-M is an open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance software. It is aimed at users who want one emulator across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with additional tools for improving visuals,…

Read the review →

GSE is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. Its primary audience is speedrunners, especially those who need accurate timing, consistent frame pacing, low input latency, input logging, and…

Read the review →
  1. VisualBoyAdvance-MGame Boy Advance Emulators 8.2Free plan
  2. GSEGame Boy Advance Emulators 6.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • VisualBoyAdvance-M — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance software
    • Offers xBRZ, ScaleFX, Vulkan output, and a Libretro core
    • Includes linking, recording, Lua scripting, and Android builds

    Where it doesn't

    • Reliable link netplay remains future work
    • Android builds are provided through the nightly channel
    • Different project pages may show different release versions

  • GSE — where it wins

    • Console-accurate timing for supported Game Boy Advance speedruns
    • Input logging and 100 savestate slots support run verification
    • Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android releases

    Where it doesn't

    • No cheat support
    • Its design prioritizes speedrunning over general-purpose emulation
    • The feature set is narrower than a broader gaming-focused emulator
  • VisualBoyAdvance-M8.2/10 · Free plan

    A free, cross-platform emulator with linking, upscaling, recording, and scripting.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • GSE6.9/10 · Free plan

    A focused, free emulator for speedrunners who need timing accuracy and run verification.

    Visit GSEFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game boy advance emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on game boy advance emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update