ES-DE Frontend suits people who want a single interface for browsing and launching games across supported systems, or running local applications.
Free plan Open source From $6.50 one-time AndroidWindowsMacLinux
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Best Emulation Frontends 2026
Facts read 28 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Emulation frontends give you an interface for organizing and navigating game libraries across supported platforms. Compare which emulators are included with library import and metadata scraping, then check controller navigation if you expect to browse with a gamepad. Cloud sync and portable mode offer other ways to assess how a setup may fit across devices. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. ES-DE Frontend, LaunchBox and RetroArch are among the entries to compare, along with Pegasus Frontend and Daijishō. Weigh the listed platform support and library features against how you want to manage and access your games.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 ES-DE Frontend | ES-DE Frontend suits people who want a single interface for browsing and launching games across supported systems, or running local applications. | 6.0 | $6.50 one-time | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 02 LaunchBox | LaunchBox suits people who want to organize PC and emulated console game collections, including collections spanning Windows and Android. | 5.8 | $30 one-time | Free plan | Android, Windows, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 03 GameEx | GameEx suits people bringing emulator and PC game libraries together with arcade controls and media features. | 5.7 | $17 one-time | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 04 RetroArch | It suits people who want a common frontend for emulators, game engines, or media players, from beginners to power users. | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 05 Attract-Mode | Attract-Mode suits people setting up arcade cabinets or organizing command-line emulator collections with joystick, gamepad or spin-dial controls. | 5.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 06 EmulatorJS | EmulatorJS suits people who want to add an emulator to a website and can serve the page through a web server. | 4.9 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Self-hosted | 8 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Lakka | Lakka suits people who want to use supported small computers or PCs as dedicated retrogaming systems. | 4.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, Self-hosted | 1 Oct 2026 |
| 08 Pegasus Frontend | Pegasus suits people who want a customizable interface for organizing and launching games from several sources, including emulators. | 4.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 09 RePlayOS | RePlayOS suits people setting up a Raspberry Pi-based retro gaming system, especially those using CRT or LCD displays or multiple controllers. | 4.8 | $5 a month | Free plan | Web, Linux, API | 1 Oct 2026 |
| 10 RetroHub | RetroHub suits people organizing and launching game collections across Windows, macOS, or Linux. | 4.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 30 Sep 2026 |
02
LaunchBox
LaunchBox suits people who want to organize PC and emulated console game collections, including collections spanning Windows and Android.
AndroidWindowsAPI Record5.8 Visit
03
GameEx
GameEx suits people bringing emulator and PC game libraries together with arcade controls and media features.
AndroidWindowsMac+1 Record5.7 Visit
04
RetroArch
It suits people who want a common frontend for emulators, game engines, or media players, from beginners to power users.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record5.5 Visit
05
Attract-Mode
Attract-Mode suits people setting up arcade cabinets or organizing command-line emulator collections with joystick, gamepad or spin-dial controls.
WindowsMacLinux+2 Record5.4 Visit
6
EmulatorJS
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 Free plan Record4.9 Visit EmulatorJS suits people who want to add an emulator to a website and can serve the page through a web server.
7
Lakka
WindowsMacLinux+1 Free plan Record4.8 Visit Lakka suits people who want to use supported small computers or PCs as dedicated retrogaming systems.
8
Pegasus Frontend
AndroidWindowsMac+1 Free plan Record4.8 Visit Pegasus suits people who want a customizable interface for organizing and launching games from several sources, including emulators.
9
RePlayOS
WebLinuxAPI $5 a month Record4.8 Visit RePlayOS suits people setting up a Raspberry Pi-based retro gaming system, especially those using CRT or LCD displays or multiple controllers.
10
RetroHub
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit RetroHub suits people organizing and launching game collections across Windows, macOS, or Linux.
12
Daijishō
Android Free plan Record4.5 Visit Daijishō suits Android users organizing retro game libraries who are ready to install and configure their own emulators or apps.
15
ROCKNIX
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.4 Visit ROCKNIX suits handheld gaming device owners looking for a Linux distribution focused on retro emulation.
16
KNULLI
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.3 Visit It suits owners of supported retro-gaming devices who want open-source firmware and built-in emulation tools.
17
AmberELEC
Self-hosted Free plan Record4.2 Visit AmberELEC suits owners of the listed Anbernic handhelds who want open-source, self-hosted firmware with emulation and customization tools.
18
Batocera
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.2 Visit Batocera suits people converting compatible PCs or single-board devices into retro-gaming systems.
20
Recalbox
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.2 Visit Recalbox suits people who want a retro-gaming system on compatible Raspberry Pi, handheld, PC, or ODROID hardware.
21
RetroBat
Windows Free plan Record4.2 Visit It suits Windows users who want one frontend for a retro ROM collection and compatible emulators.
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