Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

RomM

romm.app

From $6.49/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
Visit romm.app
Spec score 9.0 #1 of 39 in ROM Management Software

What it is

RomM is a free, self-hosted app for scanning, enriching, browsing, and playing a ROM collection. The project says it supports more than 400 platforms, including multi-disk games, DLCs, mods, hacks, and manuals. Compatible games can run in a browser through EmulatorJS and Ruffle without setup, while saves and states sync across devices with conflict resolution. Metadata providers include IGDB, ScreenScraper, LaunchBox, and MobyGames; RomM can also fetch artwork from SteamGridDB and track RetroAchievements. A built-in patcher applies ROM hacks and translations. The project lists granular per-user permissions, OIDC single sign-on, a REST API, and exports for ES-DE and Pegasus. Official clients include a Windows Playnite plugin, the Android Argosy handheld launcher, and the Linux Grout handheld client. A native iOS app is a community project, and the team says it does not regularly review community project source code. RomM is AGPL-3.0 licensed, with no tracking or paid features. Setup help and community discussion are available through Discord.

Spec sheet

What it does
RomM is a self-hosted web application for scanning, enriching, organizing, downloading and playing personal ROM collections.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Purpose
RomM is a self-hosted app for scanning, enriching, browsing, and playing a ROM collection.Read 29 Sep 2026 · romm.app
Intended users
The project describes RomM as an app for people who play games on emulators.Read 29 Sep 2026 · romm.app
API
RomM exposes an OpenAPI-driven REST API with endpoint documentation, schema validation and Postman/code-generation guidance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Integrations
The project lists ES-DE and Pegasus exports, LaunchBox import, community apps, and a REST API.Read 29 Sep 2026 · romm.app
Support
Troubleshooting directs users to GitHub issues and a Discord help channel staffed by maintainers and community members.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Access controls
The project lists granular per-user permissions and OIDC single sign-on.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
API authentication
Documented authentication modes include sessions, Basic authentication, OAuth2, client API tokens and OIDC.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Artwork and achievements
RomM can fetch custom artwork from SteamGridDB and track achievements from RetroAchievements.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Browser play
The web interface includes EmulatorJS, Ruffle, js-dos, PICO-8 and EasyRPG support for in-browser play.Read 15 Oct 2026 · romm.app
Community apps
A native iOS app is listed as a community project, and the project says its team does not regularly review community project source code.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Community clients
The project lists community clients including a native iOS app, Android TV software, macOS RetroVault and several desktop and Steam Deck tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Community scale
The official site reported roughly 3,000 Discord members and more than 1.7 million Docker pulls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · romm.app
Documentation depth
Documentation covers Docker setup, databases, reverse proxies, Unraid, Synology, TrueNAS, Kubernetes, backups, administration, troubleshooting and development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Independent Android integration
Google Play's independently developed RomBoy emulator can browse a connected RomM library, download games and back up saves, but requires a compatible RomM server for those functions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Installation architecture
The reference deployment uses RomM with MariaDB and Valkey through Docker Compose and mounts library, assets, resources and configuration volumes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Licence
The core RomM application is licensed under GNU AGPLv3; related software uses GPLv3 and documentation uses CC0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
License and privacy
RomM is AGPL-3.0 licensed, and the project states it has no tracking or paid features and gives users control of their data.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Limit: browser compatibility
Linux Gaming Reddit users reported that browser emulation did not work for them in Firefox, although maintainers suggested browser WebGL or WebAssembly settings could be involved.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: browser system coverage
The 2025 discussion states that browser play is limited to systems supported by EmulatorJS and specifically does not support 3DS in the browser.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: physical collections
A Reddit discussion says RomM cannot natively identify and manage physical-only games without using placeholder files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: scanning reliability
A self-hosting Reddit complaint reported slow scans, incomplete scans, stale removed entries becoming duplicates and unreliable search results.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: setup complexity
Droix judged RomM unsuitable for people wanting plug-and-play emulation, universal browser play or zero-maintenance remote access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · droix.net
Metadata
Metadata providers listed include IGDB, ScreenScraper, LaunchBox, and MobyGames.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Metadata enrichment
Metadata and artwork can come from IGDB, ScreenScraper, LaunchBox, MobyGames, SteamGridDB, RetroAchievements and other providers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Multiplayer access
Multi-user administration provides per-user permissions, parental controls and OIDC single sign-on.Read 15 Oct 2026 · romm.app
Notable news: Argosy release
Argosy Launcher version 2.22.0 was released on 14 October 2026 with session recaps, display-target controls, Steam import improvements and dual-screen enhancements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Official clients
The maintained first-party clients are Argosy Launcher for Android, Grout for Linux handheld firmware and a Playnite plugin for Windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
OIDC integrations
Official administration documentation gives setup guidance for Authelia, Authentik, Keycloak, PocketID, Zitadel and VoidAuth.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
Platform coverage
The project documents metadata support for more than 400 gaming platforms, including multi-disc games, DLC, mods, hacks and manuals.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: console mode and netplay
The 2025 review announced a controller-oriented Console Mode and browser Netplay rooms using EmulatorJS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: hash matching
The 2025 project review described new Hasheous and Playmatch integrations that validate ROM contents against No-Intro, Redump and TOSEC hashes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: multi-device library
A Droix hands-on review found RomM useful for connecting a collection across desktop PCs, Windows handhelds, Android devices and phones.Read 15 Oct 2026 · droix.net
Praise: on-demand handheld access
A Reddit user reported that RomM plus Argosy let them browse a server library and download only the games needed on each handheld.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: organization and saves
Linux Gaming Reddit commenters praised centralized organization, strong performance and save backups that simplify moving between devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Privacy position
RomM states that it has no tracking, no paid features and keeps user data on the user's server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · romm.app
Project scale
The GitHub repository displayed about 13.7 thousand stars, 784 forks and more than 13,800 commits when opened.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Realtime extensibility
Developers can use Socket.IO WebSockets, a device synchronization protocol and reference implementations for Argosy and Grout.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app
ROM patching
A built-in ROM patcher can apply ROM hacks and translations during use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Save sync
Saves and states sync across devices with conflict resolution.Read 29 Sep 2026 · romm.app
Save synchronization
RomM synchronizes saves and states across devices and includes conflict resolution.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirements
The quick-start installation requires Docker, Docker Compose, organized ROM folders and credentials for at least one metadata provider.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.romm.app

Plans and prices

RomM Free Free forever · AGPL-3.0 · no paid features Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
RomM self-hosted Free free forever AGPL-3.0 · no tracking · no paid features · user-hosted data Read 15 Oct 2026 · romm.app
Hostinger hosted deployment $6.49 a month starting at $6.49/mo; indicative pricing Deployment and infrastructure support handled by Hostinger Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every RomM plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports more than 400 platforms.
  • Browser play works without setup.
  • Saves and states sync with conflict resolution.
  • Includes a built-in ROM patcher.
  • AGPL-3.0 licensed with no paid features.

Limits

  • Native iOS app is a community project.
  • The team does not regularly review community project code.
  • Self-hosted deployment is required.

Who it suits

RomM is for people who play games on emulators and want to manage a collection on a self-hosted system. It may suit users who want browser play, cross-device save syncing, and multiple client options.

RomM in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

RomM is a self-hosted library manager for people who play games through emulators. It suits collectors who want to organize and play a varied ROM library across devices; those looking for a hosted service should look elsewhere.

Key features

Library management

RomM scans a collection and enriches it with metadata from IGDB, ScreenScraper, LaunchBox, and MobyGames, plus artwork from SteamGridDB. The stated coverage of more than 400 platforms, including multi-disk games, DLC, mods, hacks, and manuals, makes it a fit for collections that outgrow a simple file list. Metadata editing lets users correct entries, and the built-in patcher applies ROM hacks and translations on the fly.

RetroAchievements integration adds achievement tracking. Browser play through EmulatorJS and Ruffle needs no setup, while controller support and offline mode give users more ways to play. Saves and states sync across devices with conflict resolution, a useful safeguard when progress diverges.

Access and integrations

Granular per-user permissions and OIDC single sign-on suit shared installations. RomM also offers ES-DE and Pegasus exports, LaunchBox import, community apps, and a REST API. Official clients include a Windows Playnite plugin, the Android handheld launcher Argosy, and the Linux handheld client Grout. A native iOS app is community-run, and the project says its team does not regularly review community project code; iOS users should weigh that distinction before relying on it.

RomM is licensed under AGPL-3.0. The project says it has no tracking or paid features and gives users control of their data. Setup help and community discussion are directed to Discord.

Pricing

RomM: free. The plan is free forever under AGPL-3.0, with no paid features. That removes subscription cost for individuals and self-hosted communities, but self-hosting remains the deployment model rather than a hosted, ready-to-use service. There is no free trial because the software is free.

Platforms

RomM supports Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted use. Its multi-platform coverage, emulator support, controller support, offline mode, metadata editing, and cloud sync make it especially relevant to people moving between devices, though the iOS client is community-run rather than an official client.

Who it's for

Choose RomM if you play through emulators and want a richly indexed collection, broad platform coverage, browser playback, and synchronized saves without paid features. It is less suitable if you want someone else to host the library or require a regularly reviewed official iOS app.

Pros and cons

Pro: Metadata, artwork, achievements, and support for more than 400 platforms help make a large or varied collection easier to browse.

Pro: Browser play and cross-device save syncing extend the library beyond cataloging, with conflict resolution for divergent saves.

Pro: AGPL-3.0 licensing and no paid features avoid subscription costs and keep data under user control.

Con: Self-hosting is the deployment model, so it is not the straightforward choice for readers who want a hosted service.

Con: The native iOS client is community-run and not regularly reviewed by the project team.

Alternatives

Igir is a free, self-hosted option for Linux, macOS, and Windows; its GNU GPL version 3 license and lack of a stated usage or collection-size limit may suit users prioritizing ROM management without RomM's broader stated playback and library features.

OxyROMon is free across Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted platforms, with no paid tiers or usage limits stated. ROMie is a free download for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with no paid plans stated. ClrMamePro is another free option for Linux and Windows.

JRomManager, Nearcade, Nexen, and Retrom are also free alternatives, with differing platform coverage.

For more choices, see ROM Management Software and Game Library Managers.

Verdict

RomM is a strong choice for emulator players who want a no-cost, self-hosted hub for organizing and playing a broad ROM collection, especially across devices. Look elsewhere if you need hosted deployment or want an official, regularly reviewed iOS client.

Verdict

RomM offers broad collection management and playback features without paid features, with self-hosting as its deployment model. Note that the native iOS client is community-run and not regularly reviewed by the team.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to RomMAll alternatives →