LaunchBox

Best Self Hosted Alternatives to LaunchBox

A curated collection of the 2 best self hosted alternatives to LaunchBox.

LaunchBox is a Windows-focused game library manager and front-end that organizes and launches PC and retro console games. It scrapes metadata and artwork, integrates emulators and DOSBox, and offers a premium Big Box fullscreen UI for console-style browsing.

Alternatives List

#1
RomM

RomM

RomM is a self-hosted ROM and game library manager that scans your ROMs, enriches them with metadata and artwork, and provides a web UI to browse and play supported systems.

RomM screenshot

RomM is a self-hosted ROM and game library manager for organizing and browsing your retro game collection. It scans your filesystem, identifies games, fetches metadata and artwork from external databases, and presents everything in a clean web interface with powerful filtering.

Key Features

  • Library scanning and automatic matching of ROMs to game metadata
  • Rich metadata and media enrichment (box art, screenshots, logos, descriptions)
  • Platform/system organization with browsing, sorting, and filtering
  • Web UI for searching and managing your collection
  • Supports multiple users (auth-enabled deployments) and per-user experience
  • Import/maintenance tools for rescans, deduping-like workflows, and metadata refresh

Use Cases

  • Build a searchable “Netflix-style” catalog for a large ROM archive
  • Keep consistent metadata/artwork across devices and emulators
  • Centralize a household retro collection with a shared web interface

Limitations and Considerations

  • Metadata quality depends on external sources and accurate file naming; some titles may require manual fixes
  • Actual gameplay requires compatible emulators/clients; RomM focuses on library management rather than being a full emulator stack

RomM is best suited for retro enthusiasts who want a centralized, metadata-rich catalog of their ROMs with an easy web interface. It streamlines collection hygiene and discovery while integrating with external metadata providers for enrichment.

7.5kstars
322forks
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#2
Retrom

Retrom

Retrom organizes and manages your retro game ROM library with metadata, artwork, and a web UI so you can browse and maintain collections across multiple systems.

Retrom screenshot

Retrom is a self-hosted application for organizing a retro game library (ROMs) across multiple platforms/systems. It focuses on scanning and managing local ROM files, enriching them with metadata and artwork, and providing a web interface to browse, search, and maintain your collection.

Key Features

  • Library scanning and ROM ingestion from filesystem paths
  • System/platform grouping for organizing ROM collections
  • Metadata enrichment for games (titles, details) and artwork/box art fetching
  • Web UI to browse, filter, and search your game library
  • Collection management features such as tagging and library curation

Use Cases

  • Build a home retro-gaming catalog to track ROMs across consoles/handhelds
  • Maintain a clean ROM library by identifying duplicates/mismatches and standardizing naming
  • Create a browsable “Netflix-style” library view for your retro collection

Limitations and Considerations

  • Emulator launching/remote play features (if desired) may require separate tooling; Retrom is primarily a library/metadata manager.

Retrom is a good fit if you want a dedicated, self-hosted ROM library manager with a web-based browsing experience and automated metadata/artwork enrichment. It complements (rather than replaces) emulators and frontends by keeping your collection organized and discoverable.

1.6kstars
33forks
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Why choose an open source alternative?

  • •Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • •No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • •Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • •Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running