OpenEmu vs RetroArch
OpenEmu
openemu.orgRetroArch
retroarch.comSide by side
| Figure | OpenEmu | RetroArch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Library Managers | 8.1 (#8) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Spec score · TurboGrafx-16 Emulators | 8.1 (#8) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Spec score · SNES Emulators | 8.1 (#8) | 8.5 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game Boy Advance Emulators | 8.0 (#8) | 8.3 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 8.1 (#21) | 9.1 (#6) |
| Spec score · Nintendo 64 Emulators | 8.0 (#8) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Spec score · Game Console Emulators | 8.2 (#12) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Spec score · Sega Genesis Emulators | 7.9 (#12) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Spec score · Multi-System Emulators | 8.0 (#23) | 8.3 (#14) |
| Spec score · Game Gear Emulators | 8.0 (#14) | 8.3 (#10) |
| Spec score · Sega CD Emulators | 8.0 (#11) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Controllers | Generic HID-compliant USB or Bluetooth game controllers can work out of the box, with automatic button mapping for recognized devices. | Common game controllers are automatically configured when plugged in, and users can also configure them manually. |
| Purpose | OpenEmu is open-source video game emulation software for Mac. | RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players that runs classic games through a graphical interface with unified settings. |
| Shaders | Version 2.1 added a configurable multi-pass shader system using Slang presets. | Shaders can filter graphics, recreate the look of CRT monitors and be stacked to create effects. |
| Support | The project directs users to read its contributing guide before reporting bugs through GitHub Issues or IRC. | The FAQ directs users to the forums, Discord and documentation for help. |
Plans
In their own words
OpenEmu
OpenEmu is free, open-source video game emulation software for macOS. It organizes game backups into a unified library, adds box art and supports collections spanning consoles. Users drag and drop backups for scanning and organization. Modular cores from open-source projects emulate systems including Atari, Game Boy, Nintendo, Sega, Sony PlayStation and Super Nintendo; the project lists 31 supported systems. Generic HID-compliant USB or Bluetooth controllers can work immediately, with automatic mapping for recognized devices. OpenEmu is intended for games users already own, and BIOS files are required. The wiki describes an experimental arcade core plugin that is strictly unsupported. The latest release page identifies OpenEmu 2.4.1 binaries as Intel-only. The official site offers a macOS (OS X) application, but the version requirement was not rendered. The project lists save states, CD audio and cheat support, while online netplay is not available.
RetroArch
RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players, bringing them under a unified settings system. The RetroArch/Libretro project includes more than 200 cores across those categories. Its menu can group scanned games by system and display thumbnails and animated backgrounds. Common game controllers configure automatically when plugged in, and button actions can also be assigned manually.
Stackable shaders can change rendered graphics or imitate the look of CRT monitors. Built-in netplay supports hosting or joining network gaming sessions, including spectator mode. RetroArch can record gameplay to video files and stream games to Twitch or YouTube. Versions are listed for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS, and web browsers. RetroArch is free and open source under GPL version 3; the libretro API uses an MIT license. Features differ by platform and store version: the browser edition has lower performance and fewer capabilities than the full version, while Steam lacks Core Updater and thumbnail scraping and offers a selected core set.