Bezel vs RetroArch
Bezel
retrobezel.comRetroArch
retroarch.comSide by side
| Figure | Bezel | RetroArch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Library Managers | 8.0 (#10) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 7.9 (#24) | 9.1 (#6) |
| License | The terms grant a personal, non-commercial license and state that Bezel is proprietary. | RetroArch uses GPL version 3, while the libretro API uses an MIT license. |
| Privacy | The site describes Bezel as offline-first, with no account or telemetry, and says the library stays on the user's machine. | The privacy policy says third-party vendors including Google use advertising cookies on some of the project’s websites. |
| Support | The site directs users to GitHub to download the beta and file feedback, and to Ko-fi to support development. | The FAQ directs users to the forums, Discord and documentation for help. |
Plans
In their own words
Bezel
Bezel is a retro game launcher and library organizer for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports more than 25 systems and lists a catalog of more than 80,000 games. Its offline game database supplies titles and metadata without API keys or scraping, and the launcher can capture emulator soundtracks for playback while you browse. The optional AI companion, Bezelie, can watch gameplay, react aloud, remember sessions, chat, and take control to play. Named integrations include RetroArch, RetroAchievements, YouTube, Twitch, ElevenLabs, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Bezel describes itself as offline-first, without accounts or telemetry, and says the library stays on your machine. Some enabled Bezelie features may send screenshots, recorded audio, text, or related context to an AI provider. The app does not include game or BIOS files. Its launcher is free; Bezelie Premium is optional, with no price listed. The Mac build is described as experimental, and the license is personal and non-commercial.
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.