Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PlayOnLinux VS OpenEmu

Compare PlayOnLinux VS OpenEmu and see what are their differences

PlayOnLinux logo PlayOnLinux

PlayOnLinux will allow you to play your favorite games on Linux easily

OpenEmu logo OpenEmu

Console and Arcade video game emulator for macOS.
  • PlayOnLinux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-17
  • OpenEmu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

PlayOnLinux features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    PlayOnLinux provides a graphical user interface that makes it easier for users to install and manage Windows applications on Linux without needing complex command-line instructions.
  • Preconfigured Scripts
    It includes a library of scripts to help users install popular Windows applications and games easily, reducing the need for manual configuration.
  • Multi-Version Support
    PlayOnLinux allows users to install and run multiple versions of software simultaneously, which can be useful for testing or compatibility purposes.
  • Community Support
    The platform has an active community that contributes scripts and provides support, which can be valuable for troubleshooting and enhancing software compatibility.
  • Free and Open Source
    PlayOnLinux is free to use and open-source, allowing users to modify and contribute to the software’s development.

Possible disadvantages of PlayOnLinux

  • Performance Overhead
    Running Windows applications through PlayOnLinux can result in reduced performance compared to native Linux applications due to the emulation layer.
  • Limited Compatibility
    While PlayOnLinux supports many applications, not all Windows software can be successfully run, and some might have limited functionality or require significant tweaking.
  • Dependency on Wine
    PlayOnLinux is essentially a front-end for Wine, so it inherits all the limitations and bugs found in Wine, which can affect application compatibility and stability.
  • Complexity for Advanced Configurations
    While simpler installations are streamlined, users aiming to execute complex configurations might find the process involved and may require Wine-specific knowledge.
  • Inconsistent Script Updates
    Sometimes the scripts provided by the community may not be updated frequently, leading to compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows applications.

OpenEmu features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    OpenEmu offers a sleek, organized, and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and manage multiple game emulators from one platform.
  • Multi-System Support
    Supports a wide range of game systems including Nintendo, Sega, Sony PlayStation, and more. This allows users to emulate multiple consoles without needing separate software for each.
  • Integration with macOS
    OpenEmu is specifically designed for macOS, allowing it to leverage the capabilities and features of the operating system effectively.
  • Game Library Management
    Features robust library management tools that allow users to organize, filter, and sort their game collections easily.
  • Save States
    Provides support for save states, enabling users to save and load their game progress at any point.
  • Controller Support
    Supports a wide range of USB and Bluetooth controllers, offering a more authentic gaming experience.
  • Community and Plugin Support
    OpenEmu has a vibrant community that offers plugins and additional emulation cores, increasing the range of supported games and systems.

Possible disadvantages of OpenEmu

  • macOS Exclusivity
    Available only on macOS, limiting its accessibility to users on other operating systems such as Windows or Linux.
  • Legal Gray Area
    Emulating games often involves downloading ROMs, which can be legally ambiguous depending on whether the user owns the original copy of the game.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues with certain emulation cores, leading to lag or crashes during gameplay.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it is user-friendly, it may lack some advanced features and customization options that power users might seek.
  • Inconsistent Game Compatibility
    Not all games are fully compatible with the available emulation cores, potentially rendering some titles unplayable or glitchy.
  • No Native Online Multiplayer
    Lacks built-in support for online multiplayer gaming, which can be a drawback for users who wish to play with friends remotely.

PlayOnLinux videos

No PlayOnLinux videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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OpenEmu videos

OpenEmu - How To Run Emulators on a Mac N64 PSP SNES NES And More!

More videos:

  • Review - OpenEMU Mac Multi Platform Retro Game Emulator Review
  • Tutorial - How To Play Retro Games On Mac Using OpenEmu
  • Tutorial - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aXNC93CAxTw

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PlayOnLinux and OpenEmu)
Group Chat & Notifications
Gaming
16 16%
84% 84
Emulators
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

PlayOnLinux Reviews

15 Lutris Alternatives
Intelligent software called PlayOnLinux lets Linux users use Windows programs. With this program, you can easily switch between your two operating systems using the same application. It can make you much more productive. If you like Windows games but have a Linux computer or tablet, you can easily download them and play them there. PlayOnLinux uses a script library that can...

OpenEmu Reviews

7 Best Mac Emulators For Gamers In 2022
OpenEmu is free, easy to setup, easy to use, supports external controllers, and just makes keeping your retro game collection in one place as easy as possible.
Source: retrododo.com
4 Free Open Source Game Emulators For Windows PC, Linux, and macOS
OpenEmu is modular, and thanks to the work of other great open source projects, it can emulate a wide variety of video game systems (we call them ‘cores’). OpenEmu emulates the following systems:
12 Best Gaming Console Emulators for Mac in 2022
OpenEmu is steadily taking over the emulator market for Mac OS as it is compatible with Mac OS 10.7 and higher.
Source: thebingeful.com
10 Emulators To Turn Your Computer Into A Retro Console
If you have a Mac and a lot of old video games lying around, OpenEmu is most definitely the one to get. With it, you can manage your collection with a beautiful front-end, as OpenEmu can help you name the games and get the box art online automatically.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenEmu seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 91 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.

PlayOnLinux mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PlayOnLinux yet. Tracking of PlayOnLinux recommendations started around Mar 2021.

OpenEmu mentions (91)

  • Apple now allows retro game emulators on its App Store
    Tangentially related: if anybody is looking for a good way to organize a library of retro emulators and games on their MacOS laptops/desktop computers then I recommend OpenEmu. It is designed from the ground up to look and feel like a Mac app. https://openemu.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • How do I play TurboGrafx 16 in 2023?
    The Pocket is a great device, highly recommended, get the Dock if you want to buy one. While waiting, I recommend using https://openemu.org/ on your Mac to run "roms", which are files that represent old games. To get the ROMs, google for "tubrografx roms archive.org". Then for a controller on a Mac, you can use a PS4/PS5 or Xbox (One/Series), if you have one lying around. That said, I recommend buying an SN30 Pro. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help PSX / NEOGEO games
    Huh? Try http://openemu.org/ and download the experimental version (with arcade support). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Lucky Luke Western Fever
    Yeah should be pretty easy if you have the ISO or a disc copy, OpenEmu should do it without issue - https://openemu.org. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Desmume emulator not working
    Hey there, for an emulation beginner and macOS user, and as an easy workaround, I'd recommend you use OpenEmu . It's a frontend for multiple Nintendo/Sega/Retro console emulators at once (Nintendo handhelds up to DS, and consoles up to Gamecube), and works completely out of the box with controller support. Best of luck! Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PlayOnLinux and OpenEmu, you can also consider the following products

Wine - Open Source Software for running Windows applications on other operating systems.

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

CodeWeavers CrossOver - Don't buy a Windows license, don't reboot and don't use a Virtual Machine. Try a free trial of CrossOver to run your Windows software on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS.

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

Proton - Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components

DeSmuME - DeSmuME is a freeware emulator for the NDS roms & Nintendo DS Lite games created by YopYop156.