The ultimate emulator list [2026]

Darlene Sonalder
Darlene SonalderList by Darlene Sonalder, last updated 
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  1. PlayStation (OG)

  2. My favorite PSX emulator ! It runs on macOS, Windows, Linux and Android. The Android version often lacks the latest and greatest features especially on the PlayStore, consider GitHub sources on Android.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    Silent Hill
    DuckStation screenshot 1
  3. PS2

  4. PCSX2 icon
     Like

    THE PS2 emulator for computers, runs on macOS, Windows and Linux ! It is a really impressive emulator, from v2.0 it's getting better and better.

    Some forks tailored for Android (still early): ARMSX2 icon ARMSX2 PSX2 icon PSX2

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    PCSX2 screenshot 1
    PCSX2 screenshot 1
  5. NetherSX2 icon
     Like

    Best for Android icon Android A continuation modding patch for AetherSX2 icon AetherSX2 that was discontinued and couldn't get forked due to its closed source nature.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Shadow of the Colossus
    NetherSX2 screenshot 1
    NetherSX2 screenshot 2
  6. A great PS2 emulator with an Android icon Android version alongside computer ones.

    This one does NOT require you to load a BIOS file.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
    Ys: Eternal Story
    Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
  7. PS3

  8. RPCS3 icon
     Like

    THE PS3 emulator, there is no concurrence, it runs on Windows, Linux and now also Mac (still experimental). It has improve a lot and is really impressive now with a lot of games labeled as "in-game" that will run from start to finish with a pleasant experience!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • FreeBSD
    RPCS3 screenshot 1
    RPCS3 screenshot 1
    RPCS3 screenshot 2
  9. aPS3e icon
     Like

    An Android-specific fork of RPCS3. Start to be interesting but not really playable in most titles.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    aPS3e screenshot 1
    aPS3e screenshot 1
    aPS3e screenshot 2
    +3
    aPS3e screenshot 3
  10. PS4

    We're getting here ! It's still in early stage, don't expect much of theses for now

  11. ShadPS4 icon
     Like

    A PS4 emulator that has some amazing perspectives at it has a few big 3d title booting and also playing. Still early don't expect to run theses any time soon but impressive work here. You might want to try this one.

    Worth mentioning: fpPS4 icon fpPS4 RPCSX icon RPCSX

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    ShadPS4 screenshot 1
    ShadPS4 screenshot 1
    ShadPS4 screenshot 2
    +1
    ShadPS4 screenshot 3
  12. PSP

  13. PPSSPP icon
     Like

    THE PSP emulator ! Works on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS and more The PPSSPP Gold is for supporting the devs so buy it if you like it !

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Meta Quest
    Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
    Final Fantasy Crisis Core
    Mortal Kombat: Unchained
    +7
    Gran Turismo Portable
  14. PS Vita

  15. Vita3K icon
     Like

    The first PS Vita emulator and the only one that can run commercial games that I'm aware of. Still experimental !

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    Vita3K screenshot 1
    Vita3K screenshot 1
    Vita3K screenshot 2
    +3
    Vita3K screenshot 3
  16. Microsoft

  17. Windows

  18. DOSBox icon
     Like

    To emulate the very old MS-DOS icon MS-DOS that made Bill Gates the richest scammer in IT.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    DOSBox screenshot 1
    DOSBox screenshot 1
  19. To emulate Windows x86 Steam icon Steam games on arm Android icon Android devices!

    Worth mentioning: Pluvia icon Pluvia DRM-free games from Steam icon Steam only Winlator icon Winlator for more advanced users

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    GameNative screenshot 1
    GameNative screenshot 1
    GameNative screenshot 2
  20. A modded version of the controversial GameHub (PC games on Android) icon GameHub (PC games on Android) that removes unnecessary permissions, limit telemetry and proxies your connection through their servers (you can selfhost the server yourself)

    If GameNative icon GameNative didn't work for your games try this one.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
  21. UTM icon
     Like

    To emulate Windows (or Linux) on Apple devices

    Worth mentioning if you need better performance: Parallels Desktop icon Parallels Desktop mac only

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • visionOS
    UTM screenshot 1
    UTM screenshot 1
    UTM screenshot 2
  22. Xbox (OG)

  23. xemu icon
     Like

    A great OG Xbox emulator for macOS, Windows and Linux with now support for Vulkan, which has not bring impressive optimization yet but that we could see improving in the future.

    Worth mentioning: Cxbx-Reloaded icon Cxbx-Reloaded Windows only

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
  24. Xbox 360

  25. Xenia icon
     Like

    THE 360 emulator ! Only on Windows, but can run on Linux through Wine/Proton !

    There is a front-end named Xenia Manager icon Xenia Manager that makes the installation, configuration and usage easier. It is still early and a bit buggy using but a promising project to make the emulation easier for non tech savy people. And it did improved since the first time I tried it. Other options are X360 Manager icon X360 Manager and Xenia Dashboard icon Xenia Dashboard

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
  26. Xbox ONE

    These are translation-layer similar to Wine/Proton for Windows 10/11.

    Currently only https://alternativeto.net/software/windurango/about/ is publicly available and only works with Minecraft.

    The best way to emulate Xbox One and older is using an official Xbox Series.

  27. SEGA

  28. Mega Drive (Genesis)

  29. The GX version works great for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS

    Worth mentioning : Kega Fusion icon Kega Fusion

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
  30. Saturn

  31. Ymir icon
     Like

    Ymir is a very promising Sega Saturn emulator that might just become the standard in the comming years.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Mac
    • Windows
    Ymir screenshot 1
    Ymir screenshot 1
    Ymir screenshot 2
    +4
    Ymir screenshot 3
  32. Dreamcast

  33. Flycast icon
     Like

    One of the greatest Dreamcast emulator, and it is free and open source.

    For online features and games use this fork: Flycast Dojo icon Flycast Dojo

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    Sonic Adventure
  34. Redream icon
     Like

    Another really great option but proprietary and freemium but can better suits your need.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
  35. Android

  36. WSABuilds icon
     Like

    On Windows you can use the Windows Subsystem for Android Builds for several apps and games

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
  37. Google Play Games is now available on Windows PC, if you just want to play games this might be the easist and safest option even though you have to register with your Google account.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • Android TV
    • Android Wear
    • Online
    Google Play Games screenshot 1
    Google Play Games screenshot 1
    Google Play Games screenshot 2
    +8
    Google Play Games screenshot 3
  38. A nice Android emulator working on both macOS and Windows but like most option is bloated and not privacy friendly. I finded to be the best (especially after debloating it) regardless, BlueStacks icon BlueStacks is another great option.

    Debloating guide : https://gist.github.com/TameemS/72c4b92131977aced56e727d51599a48 RECOMMANDED

    Worth mentioning : BlueStacks icon BlueStacks macOS/Windows LDPlayer icon LDPlayer Windows - debloating guide : https://gist.github.com/TameemS/894cdb8adae1d6042a5f21c4e80bcd9e/ GameLoop icon GameLoop Windows

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Nox App Player screenshot 1
    Nox App Player screenshot 1
  39. Bliss Os icon
     Like

    An open source android OS (ISO file) that you can run in a Virtual Machine on x86 machines.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android-x86
    • Phoenix OS
    • Chromium
    Bliss Os screenshot 1
    Bliss Os screenshot 1
    Bliss Os screenshot 2
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