gbajs3 vs Provenance

gbajs3 is a free, browser-based Game Boy Advance emulator for modern browsers, with no plugins required. It offers interchangeable mGBA WebAssembly and pure JavaScript gbajs cores. Both cores support a realtime clock. Controls include remappable keyboard bindings and virtual controls for desktop and mobile, alongside mobile interface support and offline progressive web app support. Fast forward is included. Save states and cheat codes work with the mGBA core, while a surface-level assembly debugger is available with the gbajs core. The project also lists a Go server for logged-in users, an Nginx server for content, an admin interface and PostgreSQL support. Self-hosting uses an environment file and Docker Compose. The setup guide says the default admin password is admin and instructs changing it after login. The README marks debugger and server enhancements as unfinished, and GitHub lists no releases.

Provenance is a free, open-source retro game emulator frontend for Apple platforms, available for iOS and macOS. It supports more than 38 console systems, including systems from Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony. Its library can display automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release details, ratings, and scanned manuals. Listed emulation features include save states, cheats, fast forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer. Apple integration includes native tvOS, Apple TV TopShelf, Siri Remote, Spotlight search, Siri shortcuts, and iCloud sync; Apple TV supports MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation gamepads. Nearly all CD-based cores support CHD disc images, and the native Mednafen core has a custom CHD implementation. The source is published on GitHub under the BSD license. Installation options include the App Store, sideloading with AltStore or SideStore, and building from source. The free plan includes emulation features when sideloaded or built from source. Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support.