RomM vs Gaseous: Best Self-Hosted ROM Managers 2026

Managing a large retro game collection can quickly become overwhelming. Whether you have hundreds of ROMs spanning multiple consoles and platforms, or you’re just starting to build a curated library, a dedicated ROM manager transforms scattered files into an organized, browsable collection with rich metadata, cover art, and save state management.

In this guide, we compare the two leading self-hosted ROM managers — RomM and Gaseous — so you can pick the right tool for your retro gaming setup. Both run in Docker, offer web-based interfaces, and fetch metadata automatically, but they differ significantly in architecture, features, and target use cases.

Why Self-Host a ROM Manager?

Retro gaming has seen a massive resurgence, and many enthusiasts maintain extensive collections spanning NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, Game Boy, and dozens of other platforms. Without a ROM manager, your library is just a folder tree of files with cryptic names. A self-hosted ROM manager provides:

• Unified web interface — browse your entire collection from any device on your network
• Automatic metadata — fetch cover art, descriptions, release dates, and developer info from databases like IGDB and ScreenScraper
• Save state management — upload, download, and share save files across devices
• Multi-user support — let family members or friends browse and play from their own accounts
• Platform aggregation — organize ROMs from different consoles into a single searchable library
• Privacy — keep your collection data on your own server instead of relying on third-party services

For related reading on building a complete self-hosted entertainment ecosystem, check out our guides on Jellyfin vs Plex media servers and self-hosted game streaming with Sunshine and Moonlight.

RomM: The Modern ROM Manager

RomM is a beautifully designed, full-featured self-hosted ROM manager written in Python with a Solid.js frontend. With over 8,600 GitHub stars and active development (last updated April 2026), it has become the go-to choice for retro gaming enthusiasts who want a polished, feature-rich experience.

Key Features

• Stunning web UI — responsive, modern interface with cover art grids, detailed game pages, and platform filtering
• Metadata providers — supports IGDB, ScreenScraper, RetroAchievements, SteamGridDB, and Hasheous for comprehensive game information
• Multi-user authentication — role-based access control with user registration
• Save state and asset management — upload and manage save files, box art, and screenshots
• ROM patching support — apply IPS, BPS, and UPS patches directly through the web interface
• Emulator integration — configure EmulatorJS for in-browser gameplay
• Platform support — covers 80+ platforms from Atari 2600 to PlayStation Portable
• REST API — programmatic access for automation and third-party integrations

RomM Docker Compose Configuration

RomM requires a MariaDB database and uses Redis for background task caching. Here is the official production Docker Compose setup:

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version: "3"

volumes:
  mysql_data:
  romm_resources:
  romm_redis_data:

services:
  romm:
    image: rommapp/romm:latest
    container_name: romm
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - DB_HOST=romm-db
      - DB_NAME=romm
      - DB_USER=romm-user
      - DB_PASSWD=your-secure-db-password
      - ROMM_AUTH_SECRET_KEY=your-secret-key
      - SCREENSCRAPER_USER=
      - SCREENSCRAPER_PASSWORD=
      - RETROACHIEVEMENTS_API_KEY=
      - STEAMGRIDDB_API_KEY=
      - HASHEOUS_API_ENABLED=true
    volumes:
      - romm_resources:/romm/resources
      - romm_redis_data:/redis-data
      - /path/to/library:/romm/library
      - /path/to/assets:/romm/assets
      - /path/to/config:/romm/config
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    depends_on:
      romm-db:
        condition: service_healthy

  romm-db:
    image: mariadb:latest
    container_name: romm-db
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - MARIADB_ROOT_PASSWORD=your-root-password
      - MARIADB_DATABASE=romm
      - MARIADB_USER=romm-user
      - MARIADB_PASSWORD=your-secure-db-password
    volumes:
      - mysql_data:/var/lib/mysql
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "healthcheck.sh", "--connect", "--innodb_initialized"]
      start_period: 30s
      start_interval: 10s
      interval: 10s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 5

To get started, generate a secret key with openssl rand -hex 32, replace the placeholder passwords, and adjust the volume paths to point to your ROM library. Then run:

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docker compose up -d

RomM will be available at http://your-server:8080. The initial setup wizard guides you through configuring metadata providers and scanning your ROM directory.

Folder Structure

RomM expects your ROM library to follow a specific folder structure:

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/path/to/library/
├── Nintendo - Super Nintendo Entertainment System/
│   ├── Super Mario World.sfc
│   └── The Legend of Zelda - A Link to the Past.sfc
├── Sony - PlayStation/
│   ├── Final Fantasy VII.iso
│   └── Metal Gear Solid.iso
└── Sega - Mega Drive - Genesis/
    ├── Sonic the Hedgehog.md
    └── Streets of Rage 2.md

Each top-level folder corresponds to a platform name that RomM recognizes. The official documentation provides the complete list of supported platform names and directory layouts.

Gaseous: ROM Manager with Built-In Emulator

Gaseous takes a different approach. Written in C#, it combines ROM management with an integrated web-based emulator powered by EmulatorJS, letting you play games directly from the browser without configuring external emulators.

Key Features

• Built-in web emulator — play ROMs directly in the browser using EmulatorJS integration
• Metadata scraping — fetches game info from TheGamesDB and other sources
• MariaDB backend — uses a relational database for fast searches and organized storage
• IGDB integration — connects to IGDB API for cover art and game descriptions
• Collection management — organize games into custom collections and playlists
• Lightweight server — smaller resource footprint compared to heavier alternatives
• CLI tools — includes command-line utilities for bulk operations and configuration

Gaseous Docker Compose Configuration

Gaseous uses MariaDB as its backend and can be deployed with Docker Compose. While the project provides a build-focused compose file, here is a production-ready configuration based on the official setup:

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version: '3'

volumes:
  gaseous_data:
  gaseous_db_data:

services:
  gaseous-server:
    image: ghcr.io/gaseous-project/gaseous-server:latest
    container_name: gaseous-server
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "5198:80"
    volumes:
      - gaseous_data:/home/gaseous/.gaseous-server
      - /path/to/roms:/roms
    environment:
      - TZ=UTC
      - dbhost=gsdb
      - dbuser=root
      - dbpass=your-secure-db-password
      - igdbclientid=your-igdb-client-id
      - igdbclientsecret=your-igdb-client-secret
    depends_on:
      - gsdb
    networks:
      - gaseous

  gsdb:
    image: mariadb:latest
    container_name: gsdb
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - gaseous_db_data:/var/lib/mysql
    environment:
      - MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=your-secure-db-password
      - MYSQL_DATABASE=gaseous
    networks:
      - gaseous

networks:
  gaseous:
    driver: bridge

Deploy with:

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docker compose up -d

Gaseous serves its web interface on port 5198. You’ll need to obtain IGDB API credentials from the Twitch Developer portal for full metadata support.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Here is how RomM and Gaseous compare across the most important categories:

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose RomM If:

• You want the most polished and feature-rich ROM manager available
• You need multi-user support with role-based access control
• You want comprehensive metadata from multiple sources
• You manage a large library spanning many platforms
• You need ROM patching support for fan translations and hacks
• You want a vibrant community and frequent updates

RomM is the clear choice for users who prioritize aesthetics, feature depth, and community support. Its multi-source metadata fetching means you get the most complete game information, and the active development team regularly adds new platforms and features.

Choose Gaseous If:

• You want a lightweight, straightforward ROM manager
• Built-in browser emulation is your top priority
• You have limited server resources
• You prefer a simpler setup with fewer moving parts
• You primarily play from a smaller, curated collection

Gaseous shines for users who want to click and play immediately without configuring external emulators. Its smaller footprint makes it ideal for low-power servers like Raspberry Pi setups.

Reverse Proxy Setup

Both ROM managers work well behind a reverse proxy for HTTPS access. Here is a Caddy configuration example:

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romm.example.com {
    reverse_proxy localhost:8080
}

gaseous.example.com {
    reverse_proxy localhost:5198
}

Caddy automatically provisions TLS certificates via Let’s Encrypt, so you get HTTPS out of the box. For more details on reverse proxy configuration, see our guide on Nginx vs Caddy vs Traefik.

ROM Library Organization Tips

Regardless of which ROM manager you choose, organizing your ROM files correctly is essential:

1. Use clean ROM names — remove tags like [! ], (USA), or [b1] for a cleaner library
2. Group by platform — create one folder per console or system
3. Use standard platform names — match the names recognized by your chosen ROM manager
4. Separate BIOS files — keep BIOS/firmware files in a dedicated folder
5. Maintain backups — keep a copy of your original, unmodified ROMs

FAQ

What is a self-hosted ROM manager?

A self-hosted ROM manager is a web application you run on your own server that organizes, catalogs, and manages your retro game ROM collection. It automatically fetches metadata like cover art, descriptions, and release dates, providing a beautiful interface to browse and play your games from any device on your network.

Can I play games directly in the browser with RomM?

Yes. RomM supports EmulatorJS integration, which allows you to play supported ROMs directly in your web browser without installing any emulator software. You need to enable this feature in RomM’s settings and configure the emulator path.

How many platforms does RomM support?

RomM supports over 80 platforms, ranging from classic systems like Atari 2600 and NES to more recent consoles like PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS. The platform list grows with each release as the community adds support for additional systems.

Does Gaseous support multiplayer or netplay?

Gaseous focuses primarily on single-player ROM management and browser-based emulation. For multiplayer and netplay capabilities, you may want to look into dedicated netplay services or emulators that support online play, such as RetroArch’s netplay feature.

How do I back up my save states and library?

Both RomM and Gaseous store user data (save states, configuration, and metadata) in Docker volumes. You can back up these volumes using docker volume backup or by copying the mounted directories to an external location. RomM also provides per-user save state downloads through its web interface.

Can I use both RomM and Gaseous on the same server?

Yes. Since they use different ports (RomM defaults to 8080, Gaseous to 5198) and separate database instances, you can run both simultaneously on the same server. This lets you evaluate both and choose the one that best fits your workflow.

Where do I get ROMs legally?

You should only use ROMs for games you legally own. Many communities provide tools for dumping your own cartridges and discs. Some platforms also offer official re-releases. Always verify the legal status of ROM distribution in your jurisdiction before downloading.

What metadata providers does RomM support?

RomM integrates with IGDB (Internet Game Database) for game descriptions and release dates, ScreenScraper for cover art and screenshots, RetroAchievements for achievement data, SteamGridDB for custom grid images, and Hasheous for ROM identification. You can enable any combination of these providers in the settings.