Best MAME Alternatives in 2026
The top MAME alternatives are RetroArch, Foxol and ares: 15 Multi-System emulators our editors would look at instead of MAME, in our ranking order.
MAME: A broad, free emulator framework for arcade systems and vintage hardware. Where it falls short: requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data.
Switching from MAME? For most multi-system emulators buyers the best MAME alternative is RetroArch, built for most users wanting a broad emulator hub. EmulatorJS offers the most supported systems (36).
Why People Look for an MAME Alternative
- Requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data
- Configuration can vary across the many supported systems
- Network-linked play is available only for supported systems
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallRetroArch9.4
Most users wanting a broad emulator hub
Visit RetroArch - Best free optionRetroArch9.4
Has a free plan
Visit RetroArch - Most supported systemsEmulatorJS8.5
36
Visit EmulatorJS
All 15 MAME Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMost users wanting a broad emulator hub
- Better than MAME:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.4
A broad, free emulator hub with one interface for collections, cores, controls, and play.
- Arcade support
- Android support
- Netplay
9.4/10★★★★★Visit RetroArch -
Best forCross-device users wanting cloud saves and multiplayer
- Better than MAME:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.4
Foxol combines multi-system emulation, cloud saves, and multiplayer across web, desktop, and mobile.
- Android support
- Netplay
- Shader/upscaling
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Foxol -
Best forDesktop users wanting broad standalone emulation
- Better than MAME:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.4
A broad, free desktop emulator with preservation-focused tools and system-specific BIOS requirements.
- BIOS required
- Arcade support
- Shader/upscaling
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ares -
Best forApple users wanting synced emulation libraries
- Better than MAME:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.4
A broad Apple-focused emulator with synced libraries, metadata, cheats, and multiplayer.
- BIOS required
- Arcade support
- Netplay
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Provenance -
Best forWebsites needing broad browser emulation
- Better than MAME:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.4
A broad, open-source browser emulator for embedded retro-system play, without current netplay.
- Arcade support
- Android support
- Shader/upscaling
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit EmulatorJS -
Best forTool-assisted gameplay and emulator debugging
A focused choice for emulator debugging, tool-assisted movies, and desktop retro gaming.
- Arcade support
- Shader/upscaling
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit BizHawk -
Best forMac users wanting a polished game library
A free, organized emulator library for Mac users who want broad classic-system support.
- BIOS required
- Arcade support
- Shader/upscaling
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit OpenEmu -
Best foriOS users needing extensive cloud import options
A feature-rich iOS emulator with broad cloud imports and flexible retro-game controls.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Manic EMU -
Best forGameCube and Wii emulation
A mature, free emulator with broad GameCube and Wii features across four platforms.
- Arcade support
- Android support
- Netplay
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Dolphin -
Best forDesktop users needing broad classic-system support
A free, open-source emulator with broad classic-system coverage and advanced playback tools.
- BIOS required
- Arcade support
- Netplay
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Mednafen -
Best foriPhone and Mac users focused on Nintendo systems
A broad Apple-only emulator with saves, controller support, sync, cheats, and DS multiplayer.
- Netplay
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Delta -
Best forDesktop users focused on 8- and 16-bit consoles
A focused desktop emulator with strong save, video, and customization features.
- Netplay
- Shader/upscaling
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit MesenCE -
Best forBroad free emulation with multiplayer
A free, broad emulator with 18 console types, arcade and PSP support, and multiplayer.
- Arcade support
- Android support
- Netplay
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Happy Chick -
Best forTAS creators and emulator power users
A desktop emulator built for TAS creators, netplay, debugging, and recording.
- Netplay
- Shader/upscaling
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Nexen -
Best forPortable users needing focused handheld emulation
A focused, portable emulator with strong tools and beta-quality Nintendo DS support.
- Android support
- Shader/upscaling
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit SkyEmu
MAME Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to MAME?
RetroArch: #1 in our Multi-System Emulators ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad, free emulator hub with one interface for collections, cores, controls, and play.
Is there a free alternative to MAME?
Yes. RetroArch, Foxol, ares, Provenance and EmulatorJS have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for MAME alternatives?
Requires external ROM, BIOS and other system data; Configuration can vary across the many supported systems; Network-linked play is available only for supported systems.
Which MAME alternative has the most supported systems?
EmulatorJS, with 36.
How do I switch from MAME?
Export your data from MAME (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel MAME.
How to Switch from MAME
- Export your data from MAME (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel MAME.
MAME vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported systems | Android support | Arcade support | Netplay | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | MAME | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 1 | RetroArch | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Foxol | Yes | 20 | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | ||
| 3 | ares | Yes | Free | 34 | No | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | Provenance | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |||
| 5 | EmulatorJS | Free | 36 | Yes | Yes | No | 8.5 | |
| 6 | BizHawk | Yes | Free | No | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 7 | OpenEmu | Yes | Free | 31 | No | Yes | No | 8.0 |
| 8 | Manic EMU | Free | 7.9 | |||||
| 9 | Dolphin | Yes | Free | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 10 | Mednafen | Yes | Free | 17 | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 11 | Delta | Yes | 7 | No | No | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 12 | MesenCE | Yes | Free | 7 | No | No | Yes | 7.3 |
| 13 | Happy Chick | Yes | Free | 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 14 | Nexen | Free | 8 | Yes | 7.2 | |||
| 15 | SkyEmu | Yes | Free | 4 | Yes | 7.1 |
Head-to-Head
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update