RetroArch

Game launchers

Free plan#1 in Game launchers

At a glance

RetroArch is ranked #1 of 58 in game launchers on VGSources. It runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows. There is a free plan.

RetroArch plans and pricing

All plans

RetroArch Free Free and open source; features vary by platform and store version libretro.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on game launchers

Free plan: Yesretroarch.com

Facts

Purpose: RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players, with a unified settings system.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Open source: RetroArch/Libretro is an open-source project that has been around since 2012.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Interface: Its menu sorts scanned games by system and supports thumbnails and animated backgrounds.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Cores: RetroArch/Libretro has over 200 cores, including game engines, games, multimedia programs and emulators.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Controller setup: Common game controllers are automatically configured when plugged in, and users can also assign actions to button combinations manually.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Shaders: Shaders can filter graphics, recreate the look of CRT monitors and be stacked to create effects.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Multiplayer: Built-in netplay lets users host or join network gaming sessions and watch in spectator mode.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Recording and streaming: RetroArch can record gameplay to a video file and stream games to services such as Twitch or YouTube.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Platform availability: The official download page lists Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS and web browser versions, among other platforms.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Web version limit: The browser version is more limited in performance and capabilities than the full version.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Store version limits: The Steam version has no Core Updater or thumbnail scraping, and users download a selected set of cores from Steam.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Privacy: The privacy policy says third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies on some of the project’s websites to serve ads based on prior visits.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Support: The FAQ directs users to the project’s forum, Discord channel or documentation for help.retroarch.com · 29 Sept 2026
Audience and licensing: The project describes RetroArch as a feature-rich frontend intended to serve both power users and inexperienced beginners, and says RetroArch uses GPL version 3.libretro.com · 29 Sept 2026
Purpose: RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players that runs classic games through a graphical interface with unified settings.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Open source: RetroArch/Libretro is an open-source project that has been around since 2012.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Core library: RetroArch/Libretro has over 200 cores, including game engines, games, multimedia programs and emulators.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Interface: The interface sorts scanned games by system and supports thumbnails and animated backgrounds.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Controllers: Common game controllers are automatically configured when plugged in, and users can also configure them manually.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Graphics: RetroArch supports stackable shaders that can improve game rendering or replicate the look of CRT monitors.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Multiplayer: Its built-in netplay lobby lets users host or join network gaming sessions and watch through spectator mode.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Streaming: RetroArch can record gameplay to a video file and stream games to platforms such as Twitch or YouTube.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Platforms: The official downloads page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web browsers and various game consoles.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Version differences: The Steam version has no Core Updater or thumbnail scraping and offers a selected set of cores through Steam.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Web limitations: The browser version is more limited in performance and capabilities than the full desktop version.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Privacy: The privacy policy says third-party vendors including Google use advertising cookies on some of the project’s websites.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: The FAQ directs users to the forums, Discord and documentation for help.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
Project funding: The project says it is wholly community-funded and accepts support through Patreon, YouTube memberships and Liberapay.retroarch.com · 30 Sept 2026
License: RetroArch uses GPL version 3, while the libretro API uses an MIT license.libretro.com · 30 Sept 2026