3Beans vs Manic EMU
3Beans
github.comManic EMU
github.comSide by side
| Figure | 3Beans | Manic EMU |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.42/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 9 |
| Spec score · Nintendo 3DS Emulators | 9.1 (#1) | 8.5 (#3) |
| License | The repository is licensed under GNU GPL-3.0. | The upstream Manic EMU source is licensed under GNU AGPL-3.0, with separate notices for bundled cores and dependencies. |
| Purpose | 3Beans is a low-level Nintendo 3DS emulator that runs the system OS as if it were on real hardware. | Manic EMU is an all-in-one retro game emulator for iPhone and iPad. |
| Self-hosting | The source and Makefile are public, so users can compile the emulator locally on supported desktop systems. | The product has no server deployment model, but RomM connectivity supports LAN self-hosted servers. |
| What it does | 3Beans is a low-level Nintendo 3DS emulator that runs the console operating system rather than only individual games. | Manic EMU is an all-in-one iOS emulator for console, handheld, arcade, computer and mobile Java systems. |
Plans
Manic EMU
- FreeFree
- SideloadFree
- Sideload / GitHubFree
- Premium Monthly$0.99 a month
- Premium Monthly Plan$0.99 a month
- Premium Annual Plan$4.99 a year
- Premium Annual$5.99 a year
- Premium Forever Access$9.99, paid once
- Forever Access$11.99, paid once
In their own words
3Beans
3Beans is a low-level Nintendo 3DS emulator that runs the system OS as if it were on physical hardware. It can start the Home Menu and launch some games, but the maker describes it as an early project with unresolved issues. Graphics can use software or hardware GPU rendering; the CPUs remain fully interpreted. Running it requires boot9.bin, boot11.bin, and nand.bin dumped from a physical 3DS with homebrew access. Games must be encrypted cartridge dumps, though 3Beans can also boot without a cartridge or let users choose one from the File menu. An optional sd.img can be any FAT-formatted image file and acts as an SD card. Controls are viewable and adjustable in Settings. The project is free and open source under GPL-3.0. Android and iOS appear in its platform list, while the maker provides Windows, macOS, and Linux builds through the releases page, where latest builds are supplied through GitHub Actions. The maker welcomes testing, issue reports, and feedback, but says pull requests will not be reviewed or accepted.
Manic EMU
Manic EMU is a free retro game emulator for iPhone and iPad, supporting more than 30 classic platforms across consoles, arcade, DOS, Symbian, and J2ME. It includes save states, auto-saves, fast-forward, cheats, shortcuts, filters, screenshots, and custom skins. Cloud import works with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Baidu, Aliyun, WebDAV, and SMB. The project says iCloud sync keeps games, saves, and settings encrypted in the cloud across devices. Manic EMU integrates RetroAchievements and supports local multiplayer and Netplay on eligible Libretro cores. The free App Store build limits fast-forward to 2×, save states and cheat codes to three each, and controllers to one player. Premium plans cost $0.99 a month, $4.99 a year, or 9.99 USD once for lifetime access, and include higher fast-forward speeds, more save states and cheat slots, and extra controller players. A free sideload build includes premium play features but does not provide iCloud save sync. The app does not include ROMs, BIOS files, or game data.