Dolphin alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Dolphin: only covers GameCube and Wii, and demanding games need a strong CPU, especially on phones. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Dolphin, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. RetroArch currently ranks first.
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Show all 5 alternativesThe best Dolphin alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Dolphin alternative for most people
RetroArchIts Dolphin core puts GameCube and Wii in the same menu and shader setup you use for other consoles.
Best Dolphin alternative for a free option
OpenEmuMac users who mostly play older consoles get a simpler all-in-one library instead of a separate app.
Best Dolphin alternative for open source
PPSSPPThe same polished standalone approach, for Sony's PSP library rather than Nintendo's consoles.
Best Dolphin alternative for Windows
PCSX2Covers the PS2 library from the same generation with a mature emulator.
Best Dolphin alternative for Linux
RetroArchIts Dolphin core puts GameCube and Wii in the same menu and shader setup you use for other consoles.
Best Dolphin alternative for iPhone and Android
RetroArchIts Dolphin core puts GameCube and Wii in the same menu and shader setup you use for other consoles.
Dolphin alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Dolphin?
RetroArch ranks first right now. Its Dolphin core puts GameCube and Wii in the same menu and shader setup you use for other consoles. OpenEmu and PPSSPP follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Dolphin?
Yes. RetroArch (open source), OpenEmu (open source), PPSSPP (open source) and xemu (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to Dolphin?
Yes: RetroArch, OpenEmu, PPSSPP and xemu, plus 1 more in the list above.
Which Dolphin alternatives work on Linux?
RetroArch, PPSSPP, xemu and PCSX2 run on Linux.
Why do people switch from Dolphin?
The complaints we hear most: only covers GameCube and Wii; demanding games need a strong CPU, especially on phones; no official iOS version.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Dolphin, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.