Lynx.emu vs Stella
Lynx.emu
explusalpha.comStella
stella-emu.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Lynx.emu | Stella |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Atari Emulators | 7.6 (#10) | 7.3 (#14) |
| Controllers | Bluetooth and USB gamepads and keyboards work with HID devices recognized by the operating system, including Xbox and PS4 controllers. | Stella emulates Atari and other controllers using a computer keyboard, joystick, or mouse, and supports real Atari controllers through Stelladaptor and 2600-daptor devices. |
| License | The EmuEX project is released under the GPLv3 license. | Stella is released under the GNU General Public License and is described as open-source and free software. |
| Purpose | Lynx.emu is an advanced open-source Atari Lynx emulator based on Mednafen/Handy. | Stella is software that emulates the Atari 2600 VCS so users can play its games on a computer. |
Plans
In their own words
Lynx.emu
Lynx.emu is an open-source Atari Lynx emulator based on Mednafen/Handy, with a minimalist interface aimed at low audio and video latency. It supports.lnx files, optionally compressed in ZIP, RAR, or 7Z archives, and offers configurable on-screen controls. Bluetooth and USB gamepads and keyboards are supported when the operating system recognizes them as HID devices; Xbox and PS4 controllers are listed examples. On Android, it can open files from internal storage, SD cards, and USB drives. The app does not include ROMs, so users supply their own. The EmuEX project targets Android, iOS, and Linux, though the listed Lynx.emu platforms are Android and Linux. Android versions require Android OS 2.3 or later; Linux builds require OpenGL 3.3 support on a desktop or a Pandora handheld. The Android app costs $2.99, paid once. The project is GPLv3 licensed, and the Google Play listing reports no data collected or shared with third parties.
Stella
Stella is free, open-source software for playing Atari 2600 VCS games on a computer. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux under the GNU General Public License. It supports A26, BIN, and ROM images, including files in ZIP archives, as well as Supercharger games. Atari and other controllers can be emulated with a keyboard, joystick, or mouse; real Atari controllers can be used through Stelladaptor and 2600-daptor devices. Emulation features include cycle-exact TIA video and sound, stereo support, and dynamic sound resampling. Stella provides save and load for system states, automatic timeline recording, and high-score saving. Display support covers NTSC, PAL, and SECAM, with customizable CRT-style filters and bezels. A debugger offers static analysis using the Distella disassembler and runtime analysis of code, graphics, and data. The project names homebrew developers among its intended users. General requirements include SDL 2.0.14 or later and 256 MB of RAM for emulation; stable downloads include Windows binaries, a macOS disk image, an Ubuntu 22.04 DEB package, and source code for all systems.