ares vs RetroArch
ares
ares-emu.netRetroArch
retroarch.comSide by side
| Figure | ares | RetroArch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Console Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Spec score · TurboGrafx-16 Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Spec score · Game Gear Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.3 (#10) |
| Spec score · SNES Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.5 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game Boy Advance Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.3 (#4) |
| Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Spec score · Multi-System Emulators | 8.9 (#2) | 8.3 (#14) |
| Spec score · Nintendo 64 Emulators | 8.9 (#1) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Spec score · Sega CD Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Founded | 2020 | 2012 |
| License | The source code is distributed under the ISC license. | RetroArch uses GPL version 3, while the libretro API uses an MIT license. |
| Purpose | ares is a cross-platform, open-source multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and preservation. | RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players that runs classic games through a graphical interface with unified settings. |
Plans
In their own words
ares
ares is a free, open-source emulator for multiple systems, with a stated focus on accuracy and preservation. It supports systems including Arcade, Atari 2600, WonderSwan, ColecoVision, NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation, though some listed systems are experimental. Playback options include save states, run-ahead, rewind, and fast-forward. Pixel shaders and optional color correction can alter display characteristics, while Virtual Game-Pads let users configure controls for use across emulated systems. The interface framework uses WinAPI on Windows, Cocoa on macOS, and GTK2 or GTK3 on POSIX platforms. Simple debugging features such as trace logging support development of original software for supported systems. Windows builds support Windows 7 or later; AMD64 binaries require at least Intel Nehalem or AMD Jaguar architecture. macOS binaries require Catalina 10.15 and support Intel and Apple Silicon. The project prefers Linux users compile from source and points to third-party packages rather than official Linux binaries. Source code uses the ISC license. Android is not supported, and a BIOS is required.
RetroArch
RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players, bringing them under a unified settings system. The RetroArch/Libretro project includes more than 200 cores across those categories. Its menu can group scanned games by system and display thumbnails and animated backgrounds. Common game controllers configure automatically when plugged in, and button actions can also be assigned manually.
Stackable shaders can change rendered graphics or imitate the look of CRT monitors. Built-in netplay supports hosting or joining network gaming sessions, including spectator mode. RetroArch can record gameplay to video files and stream games to Twitch or YouTube. Versions are listed for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS, and web browsers. RetroArch is free and open source under GPL version 3; the libretro API uses an MIT license. Features differ by platform and store version: the browser edition has lower performance and fewer capabilities than the full version, while Steam lacks Core Updater and thumbnail scraping and offers a selected core set.