Best WatermelonDS Alternatives in 2026
The top WatermelonDS alternatives are DeSmuME, melonDS and Pilas-melonDS: 15 nintendo DS emulators our editors would look at instead of WatermelonDS, in our ranking order.
WatermelonDS: A free Android emulator with broad DS and DSi features, but no local multiplayer. Where it falls short: local multiplayer is not supported.
Switching from WatermelonDS? For most nintendo ds emulators buyers the best WatermelonDS alternative is DeSmuME, built for free, full-featured desktop DS emulation.
Why People Look for a WatermelonDS Alternative
- Local multiplayer is not supported
- DSi SD-card support is not included
- Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms
- No local multiplayer — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallDeSmuME9.4
Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation
Visit DeSmuME - Best free optionDeSmuME9.4
Has a free plan
Visit DeSmuME - Best for local multiplayerPilas-melonDS8.9
Local multiplayer (WatermelonDS: no)
Visit Pilas-melonDS
All 15 WatermelonDS 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 forFree, full-featured desktop DS emulation
- Better than WatermelonDS:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.5
A free desktop emulator with strong graphics, input, save, and cheat support.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit DeSmuME -
Best forDesktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi
- Better than WatermelonDS:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.5
A capable desktop DS emulator with LAN multiplayer, upscaling, and in-progress DSi support.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit melonDS -
Best forBrowser users needing DSi and multiplayer support
- Better than WatermelonDS:
- Local multiplayer
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.5
Free browser emulation with DSi support, persistent saves, and multiplayer bridges.
- Local multiplayer
- Nintendo DSi support
- Save states
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Pilas-melonDS -
Best forLinux users needing DSi and local multiplayer
- Better than WatermelonDS:
- Local multiplayer
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.5
A feature-rich open-source emulator for Linux users who need DSi and LAN play.
- Local multiplayer
- Nintendo DSi support
- Cheat support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit DSperate -
Best forWindows users needing debugging tools
A free Windows emulator whose strongest features target debugging and development.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit NO$GBA -
Best foriOS users wanting DS plus other consoles
A broad Apple-focused emulator with strong DS support and useful synchronization tools.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Delta -
Best forUsers prioritizing broad platform availability
A broad-platform open-source emulator with focused DS and GBA support.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit NooDS -
Best forAndroid users wanting a DeSmuME-based emulator
A free, open-source Android emulator with broad controls and an unstable fork status.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.9/10★★★★☆View iDroidDS -
Best forAndroid users wanting a simple free emulator
A straightforward free Android emulator with useful controls, layouts, saves, and cheats.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit nds4droid -
Best forAndroid users wanting extensive customization
A highly configurable Android emulator with broad controls for DS games.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ANDSemu -
Best forBrowser users wanting lightweight DS emulation
A free, open-source browser emulator with controller input and IndexedDB saves.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit DS Anywhere -
Best forDevelopers testing DS cartridge formats
A free, open-source DS emulator aimed at developers working with cartridge formats.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit dasShiny -
Best forPlayStation Vita users with partial 3D needs
A free Vita emulator with flexible controls, saves, cheats, and partial 3D support.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit DSVita -
Best forUsers needing broad platform coverage
A broad, flexible emulator with Nintendo DS support still identified as beta quality.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit SkyEmu -
Best forMulti-system users with experimental DS needs
A capable multi-system emulator, but Nintendo DS support remains experimental.
- Save states
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit GB Enhanced+
WatermelonDS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to WatermelonDS?
DeSmuME: #1 in our Nintendo DS Emulators ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free desktop emulator with strong graphics, input, save, and cheat support.
Is there a free alternative to WatermelonDS?
Yes. DeSmuME, melonDS, Pilas-melonDS, DSperate and NO$GBA have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for WatermelonDS alternatives?
Local multiplayer is not supported; DSi SD-card support is not included; Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms.
How do I switch from WatermelonDS?
Export your data from WatermelonDS (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 WatermelonDS.
How to Switch from WatermelonDS
- Export your data from WatermelonDS (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 WatermelonDS.
WatermelonDS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Save states | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | WatermelonDS | Yes | Free | Android | Yes | 8.5 |
| 1 | DeSmuME | Yes | Free | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | melonDS | Yes | Free | 9.3 | ||
| 3 | Pilas-melonDS | Yes | Free | Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | DSperate | Yes | Free | Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf | Yes | 8.8 |
| 5 | NO$GBA | Yes | Free | 8.3 | ||
| 6 | Delta | Yes | 8.2 | |||
| 7 | NooDS | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Switch, Wii U, and Vita | 8.0 | ||
| 8 | iDroidDS | Yes | Free | Android | Yes | 7.9 |
| 9 | nds4droid | Yes | Free | Android | Yes | 7.8 |
| 10 | ANDSemu | Free | Android | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 11 | DS Anywhere | Free | web | 7.3 | ||
| 12 | dasShiny | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | 7.2 | |
| 13 | DSVita | Yes | Free | PlayStation Vita | Yes | 7.1 |
| 14 | SkyEmu | Yes | Free | 6.9 | ||
| 15 | GB Enhanced+ | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | Yes | 6.8 |
Head-to-Head
- WatermelonDS vs DeSmuME
- WatermelonDS vs melonDS
- WatermelonDS vs Pilas-melonDS
- WatermelonDS vs DSperate
- WatermelonDS vs NO$GBA
- WatermelonDS vs Delta
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update