Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RetroArch VS RetroX

Compare RetroArch VS RetroX and see what are their differences

RetroArch logo RetroArch

RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

RetroX logo RetroX

RetroX is an Android application that will help you organize and play your own Retro Games with the...
  • RetroArch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-22
  • RetroX Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-25

RetroArch features and specs

  • Versatility
    RetroArch supports a wide range of gaming platforms and can emulate many different system cores, making it highly versatile for users who want to play games from various consoles.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    RetroArch is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, enabling users to have a consistent experience across different devices.
  • High Customizability
    Users can customize keybindings, video, and audio settings extensively. There are numerous shaders and overlays that can be applied to enhance the gaming experience.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Features like save states, netplay, rewind, and achievements add a modern twist to retro gaming and are robustly implemented in RetroArch.
  • Active Development Community
    An active development community continually updates RetroArch with new features, bug fixes, and emulation cores, ensuring ongoing improvements and support.

Possible disadvantages of RetroArch

  • Complex Setup
    The setup process for RetroArch can be complex, especially for newcomers. Configuring cores, bios files, and controller setups might require a steep learning curve.
  • Performance Issues
    Some cores may not run smoothly or may have compatibility issues depending on the user's hardware or the specific game being emulated.
  • User Interface
    The user interface, while powerful and feature-rich, can be daunting and unintuitive for those not familiar with emulation software.
  • Legal Concerns
    Users must be cautious about the legality of ROMs and BIOS files, as downloading them without owning the original game or system is illegal in many jurisdictions.
  • Resource Intensive
    RetroArch can be resource-intensive, potentially causing lag or crashes on older or less powerful hardware, especially when using advanced features like shaders.

RetroX features and specs

  • Wide Game Library
    RetroX supports a large number of retro gaming systems, offering access to a diverse range of classic games from different eras and platforms.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform is designed with a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate through the library and settings.
  • Cloud Storage
    RetroX offers cloud storage solutions, allowing users to save their game progress online and access it from any device, ensuring that their progress is never lost.
  • Regular Updates
    The developers regularly update RetroX, adding new features, games, and fixes to enhance the user experience.
  • Multiple Device Support
    RetroX can be installed on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TV boxes, providing flexibility in how and where users play their games.

Possible disadvantages of RetroX

  • Subscription Cost
    The service requires a subscription to access its full range of features, which can be a drawback for users looking for free alternatives.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users may encounter compatibility issues with certain games or systems, which can affect the overall gaming experience.
  • Internet Dependency
    While the cloud storage feature is convenient, it requires a stable internet connection, which might not always be available.
  • Legal Concerns
    There are potential legal concerns surrounding the emulation and use of ROMs, which users need to navigate carefully to avoid infringing on copyright laws.
  • Limited Configuration Options
    Although the interface is user-friendly, advanced gamers might find the lack of in-depth customization options restrictive for their specific needs.

RetroArch videos

RetroArch - Getting Started! Your Ultimate Retro Gaming PC! [Setup and Demonstration]

More videos:

RetroX videos

RetroX Has A New Look - Awesome Android Emulator Frontend

More videos:

  • Review - RetroX Emulator FrontEnd For Android
  • Review - Retrox Review Ep 1

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RetroArch and RetroX)
Gaming
87 87%
13% 13
Emulators
89 89%
11% 11
Gaming Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Gaming Software
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare RetroArch and RetroX

RetroArch Reviews

Best DS Emulator: Are These Emulators Safe And Legal To Use?
RetroArch also supports a wide range of controller types, making it a great choice for gamers who want to use their favorite controller.
Source: appletoo.us
5 Best Nintendo DS Emulators for PC
It has highlights like RetroArch are shaders, netplay, rewinding, next-frame response times, run ahead, machine translation, blind accessibility features, and much more.
Best emulators for Android in 2023
RetroArch is a popular open-source front-end for emulators. If you’re into playing retro games, RetroArch is your one-stop shop for all your emulating needs. It's not an emulator by itself but instead allows you to add "cores" that act as the backend to emulate several legacy consoles. While most of its most popular emulators are already covered here by dedicated apps, it...
5 of the Best GameBoy Advance (GBA) Emulators for Android
RetroArch is a poster child worldwide of emulation, specifically due to the fact that it’s not precisely an emulator. The retroArch is best refer to as a solitary, unified application where you can communicate with other emulators.
4 Free Open Source Game Emulators For Windows PC, Linux, and macOS
In addition to this, you are able to run original game discs (CDs) from RetroArch. RetroArch has advanced features like shaders, netplay, rewinding, next-frame response times, runahead, machine translation, blind accessibility features, and more! What systems does it play?

RetroX Reviews

We have no reviews of RetroX yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, RetroArch should be more popular than RetroX. It has been mentiond 20 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

RetroArch mentions (20)

  • RetroArch cannot be found on the PlayStore, the first result is a copycat. It is just me?
    No, isn't just you. Every 64-bit phone haves the Play Store Retroarch available, the 32-bits no. But you can still download the 32-bit version on the Retroarch website. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Cause of the intrusion has been found and isolated. Sites are operational again.
    It was only the download links on retroarch.com on the Platforms page that got (briefly) redirected for a few hours. That should all be safe now. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Malicious download links?
    Yes, only the retroarch.com and libretro.com websites were affected. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Recent update from supposed hackers
    I went to retroarch.com and it said "discord.gg/evaderz is big haxors" its unrespectable. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Latest RetroArch on Xiaomi Mi box
    I've got installed RetroArch Plus from Google Play on my Xiaomi Mi box 4k and I want to update it to the latest version. I downloaded apk from retroarch.com but when I use apk installer to update it say is not compatible. I removed version from Google Play but fresh install 1.15.0 is not compatible too. I tried 32 and 64 version. What I'm doing wrong? Is any other AndroidTV version? Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

RetroX mentions (2)

  • Retroarch.. does it actually work.
    Get this instead https://retrox.tv. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Retroarch.. does it actually work.
    I know everyone has their opinions about using paid emulators, but I bought a copy of RetroX on a black friday or Christmas sale or something like that several years ago for my shield and I'm very happy with it. I map an NFS share off my fileserver that holds all my roms, and I use a bluetooth xbone controller with it and have very few, if any, problems. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing RetroArch and RetroX, you can also consider the following products

OpenEmu - Console and Arcade video game emulator for macOS.

RetriX - RetriX is an emulator front end for UWP, on all the hardware platforms it supports: it serves the...

LaunchBox - LaunchBox is a portable, box-art-based games database and launcher for DOSBox, emulators, arcade cabinets, and PC Games. Download it free!

HyperSpin - HyperSpin is an animated arcade frontend for Windows for use on Home Arcade Machines.

Batocera.linux - Batocera.linux is an open-source and completely free retro-gaming distribution that can be copied to a USB stick or an SD card with the aim of turning any computer/nano computer into a gaming console during a game or permanently.

AmpShell - AmpShell is a DOSBox front-end for Windows.