Best Atari Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: Virtual Jaguar is ranked #1 of 21 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Gearlynx and Javatari. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Javatari.
Atari emulators let you run software for Atari systems on supported platforms. Compare the systems covered and whether a BIOS is required, then look at controller remapping, save states, and netplay for the features that matter to your setup. Supported platforms, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing round out the comparison. Virtual Jaguar, Gearlynx, and Javatari are among the named options. Think about which Atari system you want to use and where you plan to run it, then weigh the listed setup and play features against those needs.
21 Atari emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
21ranked
8free plans on this page
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Atari Emulators 21 channels on this page · 102 of 168 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromAtari systemsSupported platformsSave statesNetplayController remappingBIOS required Spec sheet Score
01 Virtual Jaguar Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari Jaguar; Jaguar CDSupported platformsweb, windows, macos, linux, ios, androidSave statesYesNetplayYesController remappingYesBIOS requiredNo 7/8spec lines stated 7.8
02 Gearlynx Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari LynxSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS, webOS and other libretro platformsSave statesYesNetplayNoController remappingnot statedBIOS requiredYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.4
03 Javatari Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 2600Supported platformsweb, iOS, AndroidSave statesYesNetplayYesController remappingYesBIOS requirednot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.4
04 Atari800 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 400, 800, 1200XL, 600XL, 800XL, 65XE, 130XE, 800XE, XE Game System, 5200 SuperSystemSupported platformsLinux, Windows, macOS, AndroidSave statesYesNetplaynot statedController remappingYesBIOS requiredYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.3
05 BigPEmu Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari Jaguar; Atari Jaguar CDSupported platformsWindows; Linux; iOS; macOSSave statesYesNetplayYesController remappingYesBIOS requirednot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.3
06 kat5200 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 5200, Atari 400, Atari 800, Atari 800 XL, Atari 800 XESupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidSave statesYesNetplaynot statedController remappingYesBIOS requiredYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.2
07 Stella Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 2600 VCSSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxSave statesYesNetplaynot statedController remappingYesBIOS requirednot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.2
08 Teller Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsnot statedSupported platformsnot statedSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requirednot stated 0/8spec lines stated 7.1
09 Lynx.emu Free planNoPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari LynxSupported platformsAndroid, LinuxSave statesYesNetplayNoController remappingYesBIOS requiredNo 7/8spec lines stated 6.8
10 Altirra Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 400/800, 1200XL, 600/800XL, 130XE, XEGS, 5200Supported platformsWindowsSave statesYesNetplaynot statedController remappingYesBIOS requiredNo 6/8spec lines stated 6.7
11 A7800 Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 7800Supported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requiredNo 3/8spec lines stated 6.6
12 EMU7800 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 2600, Atari 7800Supported platformsWindows, Linux, macOSSave statesYesNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requirednot stated 4/8spec lines stated 6.1
13 Holani Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari LynxSupported platformsLinux, WindowsSave statesYesNetplayYesController remappingYesBIOS requiredNo 6/8spec lines stated 6.0
14 Íris Emulator Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 2600, Atari Lynx, Atari JaguarSupported platformsWindows 10/11 64-bitSave statesYesNetplayNoController remappingYesBIOS requiredYes 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
15 JS7800 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 7800Supported platformswebSave statesNoNetplayNoController remappingYesBIOS requirednot stated 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
16 Atari800MacX Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 400/800, 1200XL, XL/XE, XEGS, Atari 5200Supported platformsmacOSSave statesYesNetplaynot statedController remappingYesBIOS requirednot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
17 z26 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 2600Supported platformsWindows, LinuxSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requirednot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.8
18 Atari 5200DS Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 5200Supported platformsNintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, DSi XL, DSi LLSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requiredYes 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
19 Felix Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari LynxSupported platformsWindowsSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingYesBIOS requirednot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
20 ProSystem Emulator Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 7800Supported platformsWindowsSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requirednot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.6
21 Test7800 Free planYesPaid fromnot statedAtari systemsAtari 2600Supported platformsmacOSSave statesnot statedNetplaynot statedController remappingnot statedBIOS requirednot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.6
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which Atari emulator is ranked first on Specifiction?
Virtual Jaguar is ranked #1 of 21 with a score of 7.8. Gearlynx is second and Javatari third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 21 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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