Best Atari Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: Javatari is ranked #1 of 21 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Atari800 and BigPEmu. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Atari800.
Choosing an Atari emulator starts with the system you want to run and the platforms you use. Compare Atari systems supported alongside BIOS requirements, controller remapping, save states, and netplay to see which setup matches your needs. Free plans and paid starting prices add a cost comparison. The ranking also includes supported platforms, so consider that alongside the features you care about. Atari800, Virtual Jaguar, and Gearlynx appear among the first entries, followed by Javatari and kat5200. Use the stated criteria to weigh compatibility and capabilities as you move through the ranked options.
21 Atari emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Javatari iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free Atari systems: Atari 2600Supported platforms: web, iOS, AndroidSave states: Yes
- 2 Atari800 Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Atari systems: Atari 400, 800, 1200XL, 600XL, 800XL, 65XE, 130XE, 800XE, XE Game System, 5200 SuperSystemSupported platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS, AndroidSave states: Yes
- 3 BigPEmu iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Atari systems: Atari Jaguar; Atari Jaguar CDSupported platforms: Windows; Linux; iOS; macOSSave states: Yes
- 4 kat5200 Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Atari systems: Atari 5200, Atari 400, Atari 800, Atari 800 XL, Atari 800 XESupported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidSave states: Yes
- 5 Virtual Jaguar iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Atari systems: Atari Jaguar; Jaguar CDSupported platforms: web, windows, macos, linux, ios, androidSave states: Yes
- 6 Gearlynx iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 Atari systems: Atari LynxSupported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Android, iOS, webOS and other libretro platformsSave states: Yes
- 7 Lynx.emu iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1 Atari systems: Atari LynxSupported platforms: Android, LinuxSave states: Yes
- 8 A7800 Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Atari systems: Atari 7800Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
- 9 Altirra No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Atari systems: Atari 400/800, 1200XL, 600/800XL, 130XE, XEGS, 5200Supported platforms: WindowsSave states: Yes
- 10 Stella No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Atari systems: Atari 2600 VCSSupported platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxSave states: Yes
- 11 Atari 5200DS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Atari systems: Atari 5200Supported platforms: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, DSi XL, DSi LL
- 12 Atari800MacX No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Atari systems: Atari 400/800, 1200XL, XL/XE, XEGS, Atari 5200Supported platforms: macOSSave states: Yes
- 13 EMU7800 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Atari systems: Atari 2600, Atari 7800Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOSSave states: Yes
- 14 Holani No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Atari systems: Atari LynxSupported platforms: Linux, WindowsSave states: Yes
- 15 Íris Emulator No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Atari systems: Atari 2600, Atari Lynx, Atari JaguarSupported platforms: Windows 10/11 64-bitSave states: Yes
- 16 JS7800 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Atari systems: Atari 7800Supported platforms: webSave states: No
- 17 Felix No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Atari systems: Atari LynxSupported platforms: Windows
- 18 ProSystem Emulator No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Atari systems: Atari 7800Supported platforms: Windows
- 19 Test7800 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Atari systems: Atari 2600Supported platforms: macOS
- 20 z26 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Atari systems: Atari 2600Supported platforms: Windows, Linux
- 21 Teller No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7Free
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which Atari emulator is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Javatari is ranked #1 of 21 with a score of 7.9. Atari800 is second and BigPEmu third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 21 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.