Best Nintendo Switch Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: NeXium is ranked #1 of 19 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Eden and Citron NEO. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Eden.
Choosing a Nintendo Switch emulator means weighing how it handles graphics and gameplay on the platforms you use. Compare graphics APIs and resolution scaling for rendering options, then consider motion controls, online multiplayer, and save states against the way you play. Supported platforms, source availability, and free-plan or paid-from details offer further points of comparison. The ranking begins with Citron NEO, followed by Nuzu and Eden; NeXium and Voland also appear among the first entries. Check each emulator’s listed features against your device and the games or play features that matter to you.
19 Nintendo switch 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 NeXium Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, AndroidSource available: Yes
- 2 Eden Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, AndroidSource available: YesOnline multiplayer: Yes
- 3 Citron NEO Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, AndroidSource available: YesOnline multiplayer: Yes
- 4 Nuzu Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, AndroidSource available: Yes
- 5 Voland iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Supported platforms: web, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, Android, Android TV, macOS, Windows, Linux, XboxSource available: Yes
- 6 EggNS Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Supported platforms: Android
- 7 MeloNX iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Supported platforms: iOS (iPhone and iPad)Source available: Yes
- 8 OpenNative Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Supported platforms: Android ARM64Source available: Yes
- 9 Sumi Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Supported platforms: Android, Windows, LinuxSource available: Yes
- 10 Strato Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Supported platforms: androidSource available: Yes
- 11 Torzu Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Supported platforms: Linux, Windows, Android, macOSSource available: Yes
- 12 Ruzu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck, UbuntuSource available: Yes
- 13 Ryubing No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxSource available: YesOnline multiplayer: Yes
- 14 Ryujinx Classic No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxSource available: YesOnline multiplayer: Yes
- 15 Hyjinx No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Source available: YesOnline multiplayer: Yes
- 16 Astris No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: macOSSource available: No
- 17 NxEmu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: WindowsSource available: Yes
- 18 Pineapple Pictures No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- 19 Hydra No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.7
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 Nintendo switch emulator is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
NeXium is ranked #1 of 19 with a score of 7.9. Eden is second and Citron NEO third.
How many of these have a free plan?
3 of the 19 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.