VGSources / Compare / Game launchers
Head to head
Attract-Mode vs RomM
Both are on VGSources's list of game launchers.
Attract-Mode
attractmode.org
Attract-Mode is a free, open-source graphical frontend for command-line emulators such as MAME, MESS, and Nestopia.
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RomM
romm.app
RomM is a free, open-source, self-hosted app for organizing and playing a personal ROM collection.
VisitSide by side
| Attract-Mode | RomM | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Price | Free | From $6.49 a month |
| Runs on | api, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows | Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Place | #10 of 68 | #1 of 68 |
| Checked | 15 Oct 2026 | 15 Oct 2026 |
In short
Attract-Mode: Attract-Mode brings emulator lists, launch commands, controls, and customizable layouts into a graphical frontend. Its pause and resume feature is listed for Linux and Windows only.
RomM: RomM makes sense when you want a central home for emulator games, with synchronized saves and access from desktops, phones, and handhelds. Its broad platform coverage, metadata sources, patching, and user controls give a collection room to grow. The cost is operational effort: Docker, databases, storage mounts, backups, and metadata credentials are part of the job. Free self-hosting is the natural choice for server owners. The Hostinger option adds a paid deployment path for buyers who want infrastructure support instead.