Best Emulation Frontends in 2026
Updated
In short: RetroArch is ranked #1 of 25 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of ES-DE Frontend and Lakka. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ES-DE Frontend. The lowest first paid tier on this page is RePlayOS at $5/mo.
Emulation frontends help you organize and browse game libraries alongside the emulators used to play them. Compared on supported platforms and emulators included, these entries also vary in library import, metadata scraping and portable mode. Controller navigation may matter if you prefer browsing with a gamepad, while cloud sync is another feature to weigh. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside the capabilities that fit your setup. RetroArch, ES-DE Frontend and Lakka are among the options shown. Consider the systems you use, how you want to bring games into a library, and which navigation and organization features matter when choosing a frontend.
25 emulation frontends ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
25ranked
11free plans on this page
$5/molowest paid tier
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Emulation Frontends 25 channels on this page · 64 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported platformsEmulators includedLibrary importMetadata scrapingController navigationPortable mode Spec sheet Score
01 RetroArch Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.9
02 ES-DE Frontend Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.3
03 Lakka Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsPC; Raspberry Pi; Cubieboard; Banana Pi; Cubox-i; Hummingboard; UDOO; Odroid; WeTek PlayEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.3
04 RetroHub Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxEmulators includedNoLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingYesController navigationYesPortable modenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.3
05 LaunchBox Free planYesPaid from30 one-timeSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.1
06 Pegasus Frontend Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.1
07 RePlayOS Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsRaspberry Pi Zero 2, 3, 4, and 5 running RePlayOS LinuxEmulators includedYesLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingNoController navigationYesPortable modenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.0
08 ROCKNIX Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.9
09 Daijishō Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroidEmulators includedNoLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingYesController navigationYesPortable modenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 6.8
10 KNULLI Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAnbernic RG series, GoRetroid Pocket 5/Mini, Miyoo Flip, Powkiddy RGB30/X55, Orange Pi Zero 2w, TrimUI Brick/Smart ProEmulators includedYesLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingYesController navigationYesPortable modeYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.8
11 KRetro Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux; Plasma Desktop; Plasma Mobile; Plasma BigscreenEmulators includedYesLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingNoController navigationYesPortable modenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 6.7
12 RetroDECK Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.6
13 OnionOS Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsMiyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+Emulators includedYesLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingYesController navigationYesPortable modeYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.4
14 GameEx Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.8
15 Maximus Arcade Free planNoPaid from25 one-timeSupported platformsWindowsEmulators includedNoLibrary importYesMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationYesPortable modenot stated 6/8spec lines stated 5.7
16 Attract-Mode Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.6
17 MustardOS Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAnbernic RG28XX H, RG34XX H, RG34XX SP, RG35XX 2024, RG35XX H, RG35XX PLUS, RG35XX PRO, RG35XX SP, RG40XX H, RG40XX V, RGCUBEXX; TrimUI Brick and Smart ProEmulators includedYesLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationYesPortable modeYes 5/8spec lines stated 5.6
18 Batocera Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.4
19 EmulationStation Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.4
20 EmulatorJS Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 0/8spec lines stated 5.2
21 HyperSpin Free plannot statedPaid from50 one-timeSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.2
22 Recalbox Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.2
23 RetroBat Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.2
24 RetroPie Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.2
25 AmberELEC Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedEmulators includednot statedLibrary importnot statedMetadata scrapingnot statedController navigationnot statedPortable modenot stated 0/8spec lines stated 4.7
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 emulation frontend is ranked first on Specifiction?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 25 with a score of 7.9. ES-DE Frontend is second and Lakka third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, RePlayOS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
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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