86Box vs RetroArch
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
86Box
8.0Emulator of x86-based machines based on PCem
RetroArch
8.0Frontend for emulators, game engines and media players (OpenGL graphics API)
| Metric | 86Box | RetroArch |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Utilities | Games |
| AI Score | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 48 | 237 |
| 90-day Installs | 151 | 712 |
| 365-day Installs | 706 | 2.2K |
| Version | 5.3,8200 | 1.22.2 |
| Auto-updates | No | No |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 4.1K | 12.8K |
| GitHub Forks | 484 | 2.1K |
| Open Issues | 22 | 3.0K |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C | C |
| Last GitHub Commit | 1mo ago | 1mo ago |
| First Seen | Oct 26, 2022 | Aug 9, 2023 |
Reviews
86Box
86Box is an x86 emulator that allows users to run older operating systems and software. It supports various hardware configurations and is ideal for retrocomputing enthusiasts and developers needing legacy system testing.
Emulates x86-based machines to run older operating systems and software.
Pros
- + Open-source and free under GPL-2.0
- + Supports a wide range of hardware configurations
- + Active development with frequent updates
- + Niche appeal for retrocomputing
- + Free to use
Cons
- - No auto-update feature
- - Some bugs, particularly with OpenGL rendering and Voodoo
RetroArch
RetroArch is a versatile frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players, offering a unified interface for various platforms. It supports OpenGL graphics and is favored by gaming enthusiasts and retro computing fans.
Provides a unified interface for emulators and media players, supporting multiple platforms and graphics APIs.
Pros
- + Cross-platform support
- + Extensive emulator and media player integration
- + Highly customizable user interface
Cons
- - No automatic updates
- - High volume of open issues