EmulationStation vs LaunchBox
EmulationStation
emulationstation.org
LaunchBox
launchbox-app.comSide by side
| Figure | EmulationStation | LaunchBox |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 8 |
| Spec score · Game Library Managers | 7.1 (#29) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Spec score · Emulation Frontends | 7.2 (#20) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 6.7 (#59) | 9.0 (#9) |
| Support | The maker directs users to the GitHub issue tracker to report bugs or seek help. | The maker points users to technical support forums, how-to video tutorials, bug reporting, and feature requests. |
Plans
LaunchBox
- StarterFree
- Starter (Windows)Free
- Regular$30, paid once
- Regular (Windows)$30, paid once
- Bundle (Windows and Android)$35, paid once
- Windows and Android bundle$35, paid once
- Lifetime$75, paid once
- Lifetime (Windows)$75, paid once
In their own words
EmulationStation
EmulationStation has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
LaunchBox
LaunchBox is a game collection frontend and manager for modern PC games and emulated console games. It can import Steam and GOG games, ROM files, and MS-DOS games, then retrieve box art and metadata from its Games Database along with fan art, screenshots, and logos. Collections can be arranged and filtered by genre, platform, ESRB rating, developer, and publisher, with custom status and source fields. The Windows app supports Windows 10 and higher, with Windows 10 and 11 described as fully supported. LaunchBox for Android is free for collections of 100 games or fewer; it shares the games database, media, and portable XML data with Windows, and Windows data can be exported to Android. Premium adds themes, Big Box mode, gamepad automation, startup and pause screens, and display customization. The Regular Windows license costs $30 as a one-time purchase and includes a year of free updates. The maker says Premium is DRM-free and can be deployed to as many personal devices as desired. Windows data can also be moved by copying the app to another folder or computer.