Hemulator vs Provenance

Hemulator is a free, open-source emulator for classic gaming systems on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The project lists 17 systems, with support at different stages of development. It detects ROM formats and system types automatically, and gives users five save-state slots for each game. Display settings include software and OpenGL-accelerated CRT effects such as scanlines and phosphor filters; audio playback is integrated through rodio. Users can adjust controls, window dimensions, video backend, and display filters. Headless command-line tools provide debug dumps, instruction tracing, logging, and benchmarking. The documentation also describes using these tools in CI/CD for automated testing and repeatable regression checks. Windows and Linux packages are listed, including 32-bit and 64-bit builds and Debian packages. Users must supply their own legally obtained ROM files; Hemulator does not include or distribute copyrighted game data. NES emulation supports 14 mappers, so games that rely on unsupported mappers will not work. The project directs users to GitHub bug reports, feature requests, and Discussions for help.

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.