Best Open-Source Emulators 2026: 7 Options Compared

Open-source emulators let you run old console, arcade and DOS software on a current computer, with code you can inspect and rebuild. The first thing to know is that the emulator is legal software while the games and system firmware usually are not included. You supply your own game dumps, and PlayStation 2 and similar emulators ask for a BIOS you must dump from hardware you own. RetroArch is a frontend that loads many separate emulator cores in one interface, which is handy for a living-room setup. Dolphin covers GameCube and Wii, PCSX2 targets the PlayStation 2, PPSSPP the PSP, DOSBox-X old DOS programs, and MAME arcade boards and early computers with an emphasis on accuracy. QEMU is a different beast, emulating whole machines and CPU architectures for development rather than games. Hardware demands vary greatly: PS2 and GameCube emulation want a decent graphics card, while DOSBox-X runs on anything. Licenses are GPL variants, with some bundled libraries under other terms, so read the repository notes if you plan to redistribute a build.

RetroArch

GPL-3.0 frontend that loads emulator cores for many systems under one menu and controller setup. You still supply the game files.

Price: Free (Free open-source frontend that runs emulator cores; you supply your own game files) (RetroArch pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. GPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 14.5k GitHub stars · latest release v1.22.2 (Nov 20, 2025) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: A single launcher for many retro systems.

Worth knowing: License verified from the repository LICENSE/COPYING file on GitHub on 2026-10-24; platforms listed from project knowledge, not re-verified on the project site.

PCSX2

GPL-3.0 PlayStation 2 emulator for Windows, macOS and Linux. You must provide your own BIOS and game dumps.

Price: Free (Free open-source PlayStation 2 emulator; you supply your own BIOS and game dumps) (PCSX2 pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 15.9k GitHub stars · latest release v2.8.2 (Sep 4, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: PlayStation 2 games.

Worth knowing: License verified from the repository LICENSE/COPYING file on GitHub on 2026-10-24; platforms listed from project knowledge, not re-verified on the project site.

Dolphin

GameCube and Wii emulator under GPL-2.0 or later, with some third-party parts under other terms. Runs on desktop and Android.

Price: Free (Free: open-source under GPL-2.0-or-later (most original code); no paid plan on the license page) (Dolphin pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android. GPL-2.0-or-later (most original code) (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 15.7k GitHub stars · last commit Oct 25, 2026

Best for: GameCube and Wii games.

Worth knowing: COPYING states most original source is GPLv2+, with per-file licences and an aggregate compatible with GPLv3. Platforms are general knowledge. You supply your own game dumps.

PPSSPP

GPL-2.0 PSP emulator for desktop, Android and iOS. Runs comfortably on modest hardware compared with PS2 emulation.

Price: Free (Free open-source PSP emulator; you supply your own game files) (PPSSPP pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. GPL-2.0-or-later (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 14.8k GitHub stars · latest release v1.20.4 (May 16, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: PSP games on phones.

DOSBox-X

GPL-2.0 DOS emulator that extends DOSBox with more hardware and Windows 9x support. Light enough for old laptops.

Price: Free (Free open-source DOS emulator) (DOSBox-X pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPL-2.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 3.8k GitHub stars · latest release dosbox-x-v2026.10.01 (Oct 2, 2026) · last commit Oct 26, 2026

Best for: Old DOS programs and games.

Worth knowing: License verified from the repository LICENSE/COPYING file on GitHub on 2026-10-24; platforms listed from project knowledge, not re-verified on the project site.

MAME

GPL-2.0-or-later arcade and computer emulator that prioritizes accuracy over speed; some files carry less restrictive licenses.

Price: Free (Free open-source arcade and computer emulator; you supply your own ROM sets) (MAME pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPL-2.0-or-later (some files under less restrictive licenses) (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 10.7k GitHub stars · latest release mame0289 (Jul 30, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Arcade boards and preservation.

Worth knowing: License verified from the repository LICENSE/COPYING file on GitHub on 2026-10-24; platforms listed from project knowledge, not re-verified on the project site.

QEMU

GPL-2.0 machine emulator and virtualizer for running whole operating systems on other CPU architectures. A developer tool more than a games tool.

Price: Free (Open source under GPL-2.0; no paid plan) (QEMU pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Linux, macOS, Windows. GPL-2.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 13.9k GitHub stars · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Running other operating systems.

Worth knowing: Open-source machine emulator and virtualizer; used on its own or with a GUI front end.

Which one to pick

• You want one menu for many consoles: RetroArch
• You want to play GameCube or Wii titles: Dolphin
• You need to run old DOS software: DOSBox-X
• You want to test another CPU architecture or operating system: QEMU