Best SNES Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: RetroArch is ranked #1 of 31 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Virtual Jaguar and bsnes. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Virtual Jaguar. The lowest first paid tier on this page is LearnWell Languages at $6.99/mo.
SNES emulators vary in the platforms and emulation formats they support, as well as in features that shape how you play. Compared on supported platforms and emulation format, these entries also include cheat support, shader support and rewind. RetroAchievements and online multiplayer may be relevant depending on how you want to play; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer additional comparison points. Check the platform details for your setup, then weigh the features that matter to you. RetroArch, Virtual Jaguar and bsnes are among the emulators to consider.
31 SNES emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
31ranked
12free plans on this page
$6.99/molowest paid tier
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list SNES Emulators 25 channels on this page · 75 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported platformsOnline multiplayerRewindShader supportCheat supportRetroAchievements Spec sheet Score
01 RetroArch Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.9
02 Virtual Jaguar Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidOnline multiplayerYesRewindYesShader supportnot statedCheat supportYesRetroAchievementsYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
03 bsnes Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSOnline multiplayernot statedRewindYesShader supportYesCheat supportYesRetroAchievementsnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.4
04 higan Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSDOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.2
05 SNES Emulator Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsweb; nativeOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.2
06 NiN10 Free planYesPaid from0.99 one-timeSupported platformsiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision, MacOnline multiplayerYesRewindnot statedShader supportYesCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.1
07 Snes9x Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.1
08 ares Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.0
09 BizHawk Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows, LinuxOnline multiplayerNoRewindYesShader supportYesCheat supportYesRetroAchievementsYes 7/8spec lines stated 7.0
10 delta Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 0/8spec lines stated 7.0
11 LearnWell Languages Free planYesPaid from0.99 one-timeSupported platformsiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision, MacOnline multiplayerYesRewindnot statedShader supportYesCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 6.8
12 Lynx.emu Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroid, LinuxOnline multiplayerNoRewindYesShader supportYesCheat supportYesRetroAchievementsNo 7/8spec lines stated 6.8
13 Mednafen Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.8
14 SnesFox Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsmacOS, WindowsOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.8
15 bsnes Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.6
16 Lemuroid Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.6
17 OpenEmu Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.6
18 jgenesis Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.5
19 rust-wasm-snes Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformswebOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.4
20 Manic EMU Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiOSOnline multiplayerYesRewindYesShader supportYesCheat supportYesRetroAchievementsYes 6/8spec lines stated 6.0
21 Vortex Universal Emulator Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsandroidOnline multiplayerYesRewindYesShader supportYesCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.9
22 nSide Balanced Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsLibretro frontend; RetroArchOnline multiplayerYesRewindYesShader supportnot statedCheat supportNoRetroAchievementsNo 6/8spec lines stated 5.8
23 bsnes-plus Free plannot statedPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWindows 64-bitOnline multiplayerNoRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportYesRetroAchievementsnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.7
24 GameChat Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsNintendo SwitchOnline multiplayerYesRewindYesShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
25 Hemulator Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOnline multiplayernot statedRewindnot statedShader supportnot statedCheat supportnot statedRetroAchievementsnot stated 1/8spec 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 SNES emulator is ranked first on Specifiction?
RetroArch is ranked #1 of 31 with a score of 7.9. Virtual Jaguar is second and bsnes third.
How many of these have a free plan?
12 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, LearnWell Languages has the lowest first paid tier we found: $6.99/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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