Popular: Data updated October 27, 2026

Categories

Internet1,356
Communication321
Audio & video898
Graphics & design539
Office & productivity1,124
Developer tools3,134
AI tools529
Security & privacy385
System tools3,114
Games523
Education & science239
Network & IT284

START alternatives

Play your favorite video games on screens you already own without downloading them

Tencent PC games

12 Windows apps in the same category as START, ranked by what they have in common and by popularity.

  • RetroArch

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

    Open source 1.22.2 76.1K ↓ ★ 14.4K game, gaming
  • OpenTTD

    OpenTTD is a transport simulation game based upon the popular game Transport Tycoon Deluxe, written by Chris Sawyer. It attempts to mimic the original game as closely as possible while extending it with new features.

    Open source 15.3 31.6K ↓ ★ 8.4K game
  • Steam

    Steam is the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.

    Proprietary 2.10.91.91 766.7K ↓ game, gaming
  • PPSSPP

    PPSSPP can run your PSP games on your PC in full HD resolution; it can even upscale textures that would otherwise be too blurry as they were made for the small screen of the original PSP.

    Open source 1.20.4 14.6K ↓ ★ 14.7K game, gaming
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW

    GeForce NOW connects to digital PC game stores so you can stream the library of games you already own

    Proprietary 2.0.89.154 394.3K ↓ cloud-gaming, game, game-streaming
  • ScummVM

    ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical adventure and role-playing games, provided you already have their data files.

    Open source 2026.4.0 9K ↓ ★ 2.9K game, gaming
  • Dolphin

    Dolphin emulates the Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo Wii on your PC.

    Open source 5.0 397.9K ↓ ★ 15.7K game, gaming
  • Playnite

    Playnite is an open source video game library manager with one simple goal: To provide a unified interface for all of your games.

    Open source 10.58 89.3K ↓ ★ 14.3K game, gaming
  • Celestia

    Real-time 3D visualization of space. The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.

    Open source 1.6.4 13.6K ↓ ★ 2.4K
  • MAME

    A multi-purpose emulation framework. Its purpose is to preserve decades of software history. As electronic technology continues to rush forward, MAME prevents this important «vintage» software from being lost and forgotten.

    Open source 0.289 10.9K ↓ ★ 10.7K game
  • SuperTuxKart

    Arcade 3D racer with a variety of characters, tracks and modes

    Open source 1.5 7.8K ↓ ★ 5.4K game
  • OpenRCT2

    Open source re-implementation of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

    Open source 0.5.6 6.8K ↓ ★ 16.5K game, gaming

Comparison

AppLicenceVersionUpdatedGitHub starsChocolatey downloads
START Proprietary 0.11.0.23900 June 4, 2026 — —
RetroArch Open source 1.22.2 December 3, 2025 14.4K 76.1K
OpenTTD Open source 15.3 April 5, 2026 8.4K 31.6K
Steam Proprietary 2.10.91.91 March 30, 2021 — 766.7K
PPSSPP Open source 1.20.4 July 12, 2026 14.7K 14.6K
NVIDIA GeForce NOW Proprietary 2.0.89.154 October 13, 2026 — 394.3K
ScummVM Open source 2026.4.0 October 11, 2026 2.9K 9K
Dolphin Open source 5.0 August 3, 2021 15.7K 397.9K
Playnite Open source 10.58 September 11, 2026 14.3K 89.3K
Celestia Open source 1.6.4 November 10, 2023 2.4K 13.6K
MAME Open source 0.289 July 31, 2026 10.7K 10.9K
SuperTuxKart Open source 1.5 November 6, 2025 5.4K 7.8K
OpenRCT2 Open source 0.5.6 October 10, 2026 16.5K 6.8K