RetroArch vs Mame Comparison
Compare features to find which solution is best for your needs.

RetroArch
RetroArch is a versatile, cross-platform frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players. It uses the libretro API to provide a unified interface, allowing users to play a wide range of classic and modern games on various devices with consistent features. by libretro

Mame
MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is a powerful, free, and open-source software designed to accurately emulate the hardware of thousands of classic arcade machines. by Nicola Salmoria
Summary
RetroArch and Mame are both powerful solutions in their space. RetroArch offers retroarch is a versatile, cross-platform frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players. it uses the libretro api to provide a unified interface, allowing users to play a wide range of classic and modern games on various devices with consistent features., while Mame provides mame (multiple arcade machine emulator) is a powerful, free, and open-source software designed to accurately emulate the hardware of thousands of classic arcade machines.. Compare their features and pricing to find the best match for your needs.
Pros & Cons Comparison

RetroArch
Pros
- Unified interface for many different systems.
- Extensive features like save states, rewind, shaders, and netplay.
- Highly customizable settings for video, audio, and input.
- Support for a vast library of game systems through downloadable cores.
- Available on a wide range of platforms and devices.
Cons
- Can be complex and overwhelming for new users.
- Requires per-core configuration and understanding.
- Obtaining ROMs and BIOS files is the user's responsibility.
- Performance varies greatly depending on the core and hardware.

Mame
Pros
- Excellent hardware emulation accuracy.
- Supports a massive library of arcade games.
- Actively developed and maintained by a dedicated community.
- Free and open source.
- Preserves important pieces of video game history.
Cons
- Core application has a command-line interface, which can be daunting for new users.
- Can be resource-intensive depending on the emulated system.
- Requires external ROM files, which users must legally obtain.
- Configuration options can be complex.