Igir

Igir is a command-line tool for maintaining ROM collections, best suited to people comfortable working in a terminal.

Overview

Igir scans DATs, ROMs, and patches, including files inside archives, then organizes ROMs by console and applies consistent names. It can filter duplicates and unwanted titles, patch ROMs in batches, reshape MAME sets, and report which ROMs are present or missing. That range suits users who want one tool for ongoing library maintenance rather than a narrow renaming utility.

The project describes Igir as zero-setup, but every installation route assumes a baseline understanding of command-line interfaces. Downloadable executables offer a direct route; npm, Homebrew, and Scoop are documented options for keeping an installation updated. The documentation also explains running Igir through a Node.js Docker image, though there is no officially published Igir Docker image. Downloaded executables do not update automatically.

Igir’s stated defaults avoid deleting files unless the user supplies relevant commands and options, a useful safeguard when reorganizing a valuable collection. The project also says it should make no network requests beyond those the user requests, including no usage or telemetry data.

Key features

Collection scanning and naming: Scans DATs, ROMs, and patches, including archived files, and organizes ROMs by console with consistent names. Hash verification and file renaming support the core maintenance workflow.

Filtering and curation: Filters duplicate ROMs and titles in languages the user does not understand, helping reduce clutter without manually reviewing every file.

Archive handling: Advanced archive support lets it work with files held inside archives, a practical fit for collections that are not stored as loose ROMs.

Playlists and patching: Creates multi-disc playlists and applies patches in batches, useful for users maintaining multi-disc or patched libraries.

MAME set management: Builds and rebuilds arcade sets by un-merging, splitting, or merging them. This makes Igir relevant to users managing different MAME set structures, not just console libraries.

Reports and fixdats: Reports which ROMs are present or missing for each console and can create fixdats for missing files, giving collection audits a concrete output.

Related tools: Configuration guides cover frontends and related software including Batocera, LaunchBox, RetroArch, OpenEmu, and RomM.

Pricing

Igir — free. The free plan is licensed under GNU General Public License version 3, with no usage or collection-size limit stated. There is no free trial because the product is free. That makes it a straightforward choice for an individual maintaining a large library, though the command-line requirement remains the cost in setup effort.

Platforms

Igir supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as other operating systems supported by Node.js. It can be installed as an executable or run through npm, npx, Homebrew, or Scoop; the documentation also describes using a Node.js Docker image. The executable’s lack of automatic updates favors users willing to manage updates through a package manager or by downloading a new release.

Who it's for

Igir is a strong fit for technically comfortable collectors who need to organize, verify, filter, patch, or audit ROM libraries, especially those with archived files or MAME sets. Its non-destructive defaults and broad collection tasks suit careful maintenance. It is a weaker fit for anyone seeking a graphical, setup-free workflow: every installation option calls for baseline command-line familiarity.

Pros and cons

Pros:Free under GPL-3 with no collection-size limit stated, making it viable for extensive libraries.

Combines scanning, naming, duplicate filtering, batch patching, MAME set changes, and missing-ROM reports in one tool.

Non-destructive defaults and the project’s stated no-telemetry policy reduce concerns about accidental deletion and background data transfer.

Runs across the major desktop platforms and other Node.js-supported systems.

Cons:Command-line familiarity is required for every installation path, which rules out a truly beginner-oriented setup.

Downloaded executables do not update automatically, so users must handle release updates themselves or use a documented package-manager route.

There is no officially published Docker image, despite documentation for running it through a Node.js Docker image.

Alternatives

RomM is also free forever under AGPL-3.0 with no paid features, and supports web, mobile, desktop, and self-hosted platforms. Choose it instead if that broader platform mix better matches how you want to access a collection.

OxyROMon is a free option with no paid tiers or usage limits stated, and supports Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted platforms. It is worth comparing if those platform options are a closer fit.

ROMie is free to download and use on Linux, macOS, and Windows; consider it as another free desktop-platform option.

ClrMamePro is a free option for Linux and Windows, and may suit readers comparing ROM-management tools on those platforms.

JRomManager is another free option, with support for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms.

Nearcade is another free option, with support for API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms.

Nexen is a free, open-source alternative for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

Retrom is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows.

For a broader comparison, see ROM Management Software.

Verdict

Choose Igir if you want a free, broad toolkit for organizing and auditing a ROM collection, including MAME sets, and are comfortable using the command line. Its combination of collection tasks and non-destructive defaults is the case for choosing it; look elsewhere if command-line setup or manual executable updates are a poor fit.