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Head-to-head · Game Boy Advance Emulators

VisualBoyAdvance-M vs NanoBoyAdvance

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 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
NanoBoyAdvance #7 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit NanoBoyAdvance

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

VisualBoyAdvance-M scores higher on our rubric for game boy advance emulators: 8.2 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

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

VisualBoyAdvance-M is the better fit for cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling. NanoBoyAdvance is the better fit for desktop users prioritizing cycle accuracy.

  • VisualBoyAdvance-M fits best

    Cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling

  • NanoBoyAdvance fits best

    Desktop users prioritizing cycle accuracy

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Side by side

Feature VisualBoyAdvance-M 8.2/10 Visit ↗ NanoBoyAdvance 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 6.8
Ranking #2 in Game Boy Advance Emulators #7 in Game Boy Advance Emulators
Best for Cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling Desktop users prioritizing cycle accuracy
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features VisualBoyAdvance-M 1/5 · NanoBoyAdvance 3/5
Save states Not published ✓ (best)
Link multiplayer Not published Not published
Cheat support Not published Not published
Graphics enhancements Not published ✓ (best)
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform scope Not published Desktop
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
  • Cycle-accurate emulation across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Save states, controller remapping, and broad archive-based ROM loading
  • RTC, solar-sensor emulation, audio tools, and graphics viewers
Cons
  • Reliable link netplay remains future work
  • Android builds are provided through the nightly channel
  • Different project pages may show different release versions
  • Designed for desktop computers rather than mobile platforms
  • Focused on Game Boy Advance software only
  • GitHub repository was archived, with development continuing on Codeberg
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 →

NanoBoyAdvance is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo Game Boy Advance software on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its focus is timing accuracy and compatibility, making it a fit for desktop users who want cycle-accurate emulation rather…

Read the review →
  1. VisualBoyAdvance-MGame Boy Advance Emulators 8.2Free plan
  2. NanoBoyAdvanceGame Boy Advance Emulators 6.8Free 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

  • NanoBoyAdvance — where it wins

    • Cycle-accurate emulation across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Save states, controller remapping, and broad archive-based ROM loading
    • RTC, solar-sensor emulation, audio tools, and graphics viewers

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for desktop computers rather than mobile platforms
    • Focused on Game Boy Advance software only
    • GitHub repository was archived, with development continuing on Codeberg

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