Retrom

Game launchers

#4 in Game launchers

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At a glance

Retrom is ranked #4 of 58 in game launchers on VGSources. It runs on Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Web, Windows.

Compared on game launchers

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Store coverage: multi-store-plus-emulatorsgithub.com
Emulator support: Yesgithub.com
Platform support: multi-platformgithub.com
Controller support: Yesgithub.com
Cloud sync: Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: Retrom is a centralized game library management service focused on emulation.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Self-hosting: It lets users host games on one device and connect clients from other devices to install, download and play them.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Filesystem scanning: Retrom scans a filesystem for games and platforms and automatically adds them to the library.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Desktop clients: Desktop clients support Windows, MacOS and Linux.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Web client: A web client provides access to the library from devices with a browser.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Emulator profiles: Emulator profiles can be managed per client and stored on the server for sharing or restoration.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Metadata and artwork: Retrom can automatically download game metadata and artwork from supported providers.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Steam integration: Steam is currently the only supported third-party game library integration, and it requires a Steam API key and user ID.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Metadata integration: IGDB is currently the only supported metadata provider and requires an IGDB client ID and secret.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Deployment modes: Retrom supports standalone mode, where the client runs the server locally, and standard mode with a dedicated server.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Security: The project states that it was designed without specific security measures and recommends local-network use or a reverse proxy with proper security measures.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Support: The quick-start guide directs users who need help to Retrom's Discord server.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
License: The repository is distributed under the GPL-3.0 license.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Standalone limitation: Other clients can connect to a standalone server only while the standalone client is running.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
Purpose: Retrom is a centralized game library management service focused on emulation, for hosting games on one device and connecting clients on other devices.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Self-hosting: Retrom can run with a dedicated server or in standalone mode, where the client manages the server under the hood.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Desktop clients: The README lists desktop client support for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Web client: The README says users can access their library from anywhere with the web client.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Library scanning: Retrom can scan its server filesystem for games and platforms and add them to the library.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Game management: Desktop clients can install, uninstall, and play games from the service.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Emulator profiles: Retrom stores per-client emulator profiles on the server so configurations can be shared between devices or restored after reinstalling.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Game metadata: Retrom downloads game metadata and artwork from supported providers; the wiki currently identifies IGDB as its only supported metadata provider.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Steam integration: Retrom can import Steam games when configured with a Steam API key and Steam user ID; the wiki says Steam is its only currently supported third-party library.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Cloud saves: Retrom supports cloud saves for built-in and standalone emulators, and can sync save data and save states to the server.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Container setup: The quick start documents running the dedicated server with Docker Compose and mounting a game library directory plus persistent data and configuration volumes.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Setup limitation: Sharing emulator configurations between clients requires matching emulator paths and other client-specific paths on those clients.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Support: The quick start directs users who need help to Retrom's Discord server.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
License: The repository identifies Retrom as licensed under GPL-3.0.github.com · 2 Oct 2026