RomForge vs RomVault

RomForge is free, open-source desktop software for managing ROM collections in the OfflineList DAT ecosystem. It scans ROM folders and matches files to DAT entries using CRC32, then reports statuses such as Verified, Missing, Incorrectly Named, Wrong Archive Type and Untrimmed. Users can rename ROMs to DAT-expected filenames, re-archive between ZIP and 7z, and remove GBA or NDS padding. The application supports multiple DAT files and can update them from configured URLs. Its cache re-hashes only files that changed, while game-list status persists across restarts. RomForge is a modern rewrite of OfflineList and remains compatible with community DAT files. It reads OfflineList XML DAT files, which users supply, but does not currently read the No-Intro/Logiqx format. Supported systems are macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, Windows x64 and Linux x64. The macOS app is signed and notarized; Windows downloads are ZIP archives and Linux downloads are TAR.GZ archives. The project uses the MIT license.

RomVault is ROM management software for maintaining collections against DAT files on Windows and Linux. It scans ROMs, identifies available fixes, and rebuilds sets according to DAT definitions. Duplicate detection, file renaming, and hash verification are included. The built-in DATVault can update DAT files from ROM cataloging projects, although access without a key is limited to official MAME listxml DATs. Patreon supporters receive full repository access and a unique key. RomVault handles uncompressed files, ZIP, 7z, and CHD archives; RAR is not supported. The graphical interface runs directly as a standalone executable without an installer and needs write access to its directory. Separate command-line builds are available for Windows and Linux. Scanning and fixing default to Level 2. Removed files move to ToSort, with an optional double-check before deletion. The free plan costs nothing and includes core functionality without ads or nag screens.