Provenance vs RetroX
Provenance
provenance-emu.comRetroX
retrox.tvSide by side
| Figure | Provenance | RetroX |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3.33/mo | $1.42/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · Multi-System Emulators | 8.5 (#8) | 7.4 (#41) |
| Game library | The library can show automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release information, ratings, and scanned manuals. | RetroX organizes imported games into a searchable library. |
| Maker | Joseph Mattiello is identified as Provenance's creator and lead developer. | The licensing page credits Catrin Labs and copyright dates 2014–2023. |
Plans
Provenance
- FreeFree
- Monthly$3.99 a month
- Annual$39.99 a year
- Lifetime$99.99, paid once
RetroX
- 1 year Activation Code$16.99 a year
- 2 years Activation Code$26.99 a year
- Lifetime Activation Code$76.99, paid once
In their own words
Provenance
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.