Best NES Emulators in 2026

In short: NESER is ranked #1 of 26 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Nintengo and Dendy. The best-ranked option with a free plan is HalfNES.

Playing classic NES games can mean different things on different setups, so start by checking which platforms an emulator supports. Then compare the play features that matter to you: save states and rewind for flexible sessions, cheat support, netplay, or shader options. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help clarify the cost side. NESER, Nintengo, and Dendy are among the names here; their listed details give you a basis for checking fit without assuming every option works the same way. Use the comparison points to weigh device compatibility, ways to play with others, and the save or display controls you want.

26 NES emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.

26ranked
8free plans on this page
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list NES Emulators 25 channels on this page · 89 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported platformsSave statesRewindNetplayShader supportCheat support Spec sheet Score
01 NESER Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb browser, Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop buildsSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportYesCheat supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 7.5
02 Nintengo Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsmacOS, Linux, Windows, WebAssembly/browserSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplayYesShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 7.2
03 Dendy Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, and modern web browsers via WebAssemblySave statesYesRewindYesNetplayYesShader supportYesCheat supportYes 7/8spec lines stated 7.1
04 HalfNES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows; Linux; other Java-compatible platformsSave statesNoRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportYesCheat supportYes 5/8spec lines stated 7.1
05 binjnes Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, macOS, web via WebAssemblySave statesYesRewindYesNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 7.0
06 NET-NES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.0
07 Geolith Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOSSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.9
08 KuroganeNES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsModern web browsersSave statesYesRewindYesNetplayYesShader supportnot statedCheat supportYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.9
09 Lynx.emu Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroid and LinuxSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportYes 4/8spec lines stated 6.8
10 GoNES Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, web browsersSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.7
11 Jnes Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindowsSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplayYesShader supportnot statedCheat supportYes 5/8spec lines stated 6.7
12 Nestalgia Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, Linux, macOSSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportYes 3/8spec lines stated 6.7
13 puNES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, WindowsSave statesYesRewindYesNetplaynot statedShader supportYesCheat supportYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.7
14 WebNES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb browsers; optimized for Chrome and unsupported in Internet ExplorerSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportYesCheat supportYes 5/8spec lines stated 6.6
15 NES Emulator + 6502 Studio Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb browser; native builds via C++ and CMakeSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.5
16 Nesalizer Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLinux/POSIX; Windows (experimental port)Save statesYesRewindYesNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.4
17 Nesbit Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiOS, iPadOS, macOSSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.4
18 FCEUX Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplayNoShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 5.9
19 Nestopia Undead Edition Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindowsSave statesYesRewindYesNetplayYesShader supportYesCheat supportYes 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
20 Nintendulator Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows 10 and later; older Windows versions may work; Wine is tested for recent buildsSave statesYesRewindNoNetplayNoShader supportNoCheat supportYes 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
21 My NES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindowsSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportYes 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
22 JSNES Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsBrowser, Node.jsSave statesYesRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.6
23 fixNES Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, LinuxSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.4
24 no$nes Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows 32-bitSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 5.4
25 OpenInvoice Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedSave statesnot statedRewindnot statedNetplaynot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 5.2

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 NES emulator is ranked first on Specifiction?

NESER is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 7.5. Nintengo is second and Dendy third.

How many of these have a free plan?

8 of the 25 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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