GameEx vs itch app
GameEx
gameex.com
itch app
itch.ioSide by side
| Figure | GameEx | itch app |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 9.3 (#4) | 8.7 (#13) |
| Purpose | GameEx is an arcade and emulator front end for MAME, GameBase, Daphne, PC games and command-line emulators, and also offers HTPC features. | The app downloads and runs games and software from itch.io, keeps downloads in one place, and automatically updates them. |
| Security | The setup guide warns that security experts have not examined GameExtender for security issues and advises using it over networks at the user's own risk. | The app FAQ identifies Windows tool elevate as powering the itch.io sandbox on Windows. |
| Support | The maker says commercial support and customizations are available and in many cases provided free of charge. | Users can report app bugs through the Send feedback menu item, which pre-fills an issue with their platform and app version on GitHub. |
Plans
In their own words
GameEx
GameEx is an arcade and emulator front end for MAME, GameBase, Daphne, PC games and command-line emulators, with HTPC features. The site lists original GameEx, GameEx Arcade Edition and GameEx Evolution. Its feature list describes support for nearly any emulator, with advanced MAME support, and compatibility with arcade controls such as X-Arcade, Slik-Stik, JPAC and IPAC, as well as remotes and gamepads. Media features include video and DVD playback, picture viewing, internet radio, a jukebox, a news reader and a YouTube module. Named integrations include Steam, EA Origin, Uplay, iTunes, Windows Media Player, GameBase, GameEx Arcade and the TMDb API. GameEx Online and GameExtender add networked display, remote control and online game statistics. Its listed free plan costs nothing, but commercial use requires each copy to be registered or purchased. The listing includes Android, Linux, macOS and Windows; the maker describes Linux or Mac use through WINE as experimental, while the multiplatform alpha builds may lack features.
itch app
The itch app is a desktop client for downloading and running games and software from itch.io. Its built-in browser lets users browse creator pages and install titles, while the library keeps downloads together and updates installed games automatically. Users can access collections, bundles, purchases and installed games in the app. Browser-based games can be synced for offline play, and games using itch.io command-line tools can receive delta patches that download only changed data. The client is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, with Windows 7 or newer required, and it is open source and offered in over 20 languages. Creators can provide an app manifest to define launch targets and integrate with the app API. The app registers itch:// and itchio:// links and can create Steam library shortcuts for installed games. Its sandbox limits file access, isolates home directories for Linux games and runs Windows games as less-privileged users. Compatibility problems can still occur, especially on Linux when games do not follow best practices. The listed plan is free.