DuckStation vs PPSSPP
DuckStation
duckstation.org
PPSSPP
ppsspp.orgSide by side
| Figure | DuckStation | PPSSPP |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · Emulator Software | 8.8 (#4) | 8.9 (#3) |
| Spec score · Game Console Emulators | 8.9 (#4) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Game files | Supported formats include bin/cue, MAME CHD, single-track ECM, MDS/MDF, CCD, and unencrypted PBP. | Users must provide their own PSP game files because PPSSPP does not have the right to distribute them with the app. |
| Graphics | Its hardware renderer supports D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal, with upscaling, texture filtering, and 24-bit color. | It can run PSP games at full HD resolution or higher, upscale textures, and apply post-processing shaders. |
| License | The maker describes the project as distributed under CC-BY-NC-ND terms and says modified versions may not be published. | PPSSPP is open source under GPL version 2 or any later version. |
| Maker identity | The Google Play listing identifies the developer as Connor William McLaughlin, using the Stenzek identity. | Millionth Line describes itself as Henrik Rydgård's apps and consulting company and lists PPSSPP as its PSP emulator. |
| Purpose | DuckStation emulates the Sony PlayStation console, focusing on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability. | PPSSPP is a PSP emulator that runs games and other software originally made for the Sony PSP. |
| Rating on Chrome-Stats | 4.26 out of 5 from 18,174 ratings. | 4.35 out of 5 from 1,744,083 ratings. |
| Rating on Google Play | 4.3 out of 5 from about 18,200 reviews. | 4.4 out of 5 from 1.79 million reviews. |
| System requirements | The project requires a supported x86_64, ARM32, ARM64 or RISC-V CPU and a GPU supporting OpenGL 3.1, OpenGL ES 3.1, Direct3D 11 feature level 10.0 or Vulkan 1.0. | The maker says most PCs or Macs from the past decade can run it and Android devices from the past decade are generally supported, with performance variation. |
| What it does | DuckStation emulates the Sony PlayStation 1/PSX console, prioritizing accuracy, compatibility, speed and maintainability. | PPSSPP emulates Sony PSP games and software on supported devices. |
Plans
PPSSPP
- PPSSPPFree
- PPSSPP FreeFree
- PPSSPP Gold for Android$4.99, paid once
- PPSSPP Gold for Windows/macOSPriced on request
In their own words
DuckStation
DuckStation is a free emulator for Sony PlayStation games, available for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. Its hardware renderer supports D3D11, D3D12, OpenGL, Vulkan and Metal, with upscaling, texture filtering and 24-bit color among the graphics options. Enhancements include PGXP geometry precision, texture replacement, adaptive downsampling and post-processing shader chains. Play options include save states, rewind, runahead, CPU overclocking and multi-disc support, along with memory-card editing and save importing. DuckStation supports RetroAchievements and Discord Rich Presence. It accepts digital and analog controllers, rumble, and up to eight devices through multitap; GunCon and Justifier lightguns can be simulated with a mouse. Supported formats include bin/cue, MAME CHD, single-track ECM, MDS/MDF, CCD and unencrypted PBP. A PS1 or PS2 BIOS image is required but not supplied, and games are not provided. The maker says users should dump a BIOS from their own console. Desktop requirements include Windows 10/11 and macOS 13.3 or newer.
PPSSPP
PPSSPP is a PSP emulator for running games and other software made for the Sony PlayStation Portable. It is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, with a free plan at free. Games can run at full HD resolution or higher, with texture upscaling and post-processing shaders. Players can use save states and a turbo button, customize touch controls, or connect a controller or keyboard. Save data transferred from a real PSP can continue a game. PPSSPP supports PSP ad hoc and infrastructure multiplayer, including ad hoc play through relay servers, and supports RetroAchievements after account sign-in. It runs PSP software only, not PS1 games or UMD Video discs; users must supply their own PSP game files. Compatibility reports are collected anonymously only when manually enabled. The open-source project is licensed under GPL 2.0 or later. Its official site provides documentation, FAQs, troubleshooting guides and community forums. PPSSPP Gold is available for Android, Windows, macOS and iOS, but not currently for Linux or Steam Deck.