4 Best PS4 Emulators for PC: Play Your Favorite Games on Windows

PS4 emulation is still in development, so there aren't many emulators

Gaming » Emulators

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by Ivan Jenic 

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ps4em best ps4 emulator for pc
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Looking to play PS4 games on your PC? While PS4 emulation is its early stages, there are a few options that offer the potential to bring your favorite PlayStation titles to your PC.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best PS4 emulators on the market. We’ll talk about their capabilities, limitations, and help you decide which would be the best for your setup.

What is the best PS4 emulator for PC?

PCSX4 – 4K gaming and smooth performance

PCSX4 offers solid PS4 emulation with support for 4K resolution and 60 FPS on compatible hardware.

We’ve found it works well for less demanding games, but more complex titles can cause slowdowns.

The built-in frame rate control and Vulkan API support help smooth out performance. While it’s still evolving, it’s a great choice if you’re looking to play PS4 games at higher resolutions on a capable PC.

Pros:

  • Supports 4K resolution and 60 FPS
  • Customizable post-processing effects
  • Vulkan API for enhanced performance
  • Plug-and-play controller support

Cons:

  • Still in active development
  • Occasional glitches and crashes

⇒ Get PCSX4

fpPS4 Emulator – lightweight, best for smaller games

fpPS4 is an experimental emulator for smaller PS4 games, perfect for testing out basic PS4 compatibility.

We’ve run titles like Sonic Mania with no issues, but larger games can be unstable. It’s early in development, so expect bugs and crashes.

However, it’s an interesting tool for anyone curious about PS4 emulation, and it works well enough for lighter, less demanding games.

Pros:

  • Good for small, less demanding games
  • Open-source and actively updated
  • Simple setup process

Cons:

  • Limited game compatibility
  • Unstable with larger titles
  • Performance issues on complex games

⇒ Get the fpPS4 emulator on GitHub

Kyty – Offers limited support

Kyty is an early-stage emulator with plans for PS5 graphics support. We’ve tested it with basic PS4 games, and while it shows potential, performance is rough.

Expect frequent crashes and low FPS. Despite these issues, its modding capabilities and future-proof potential make it an interesting choice for experimental users who want to explore PS4 and upcoming PS5 emulation.

Pros:

  • Modding and shader customization
  • Potential PS5 graphics support
  • Open-source and free

Cons:

  • Frequent crashes and low FPS
  • Lacks audio and network support
  • Still very much in development

⇒ Get Kyty on GitHub

4. PS4Emus – simple and easy Windows PS4 emulation API

ps4emus user interface

PS4Emus is a straightforward emulator designed for casual PS4 gaming. We’ve used it to try out a handful of games, and it works well for testing basic titles.

While the setup is simple and easy, it’s not the most stable option for demanding games.

However, it’s still a good choice for anyone looking for a no-fuss introduction to PS4 emulation.

Pros:

  • Easy to install and use
  • Works across multiple platforms
  • Quick to get started with

Cons:

  • Limited game support
  • Unstable with more complex titles
  • Lacks advanced features

⇒ Get PS4Emus

Is it possible to play PS4 on PC?

The short answer is no, for the most part. Few emulators can start less demanding games, but the quality of emulation and performance might not be satisfying.

Since PS4 emulation is in its infancy, many emulators can’t even run commercial games, which probably won’t change for a few years.

Yes, downloading the emulator software is legal. However, downloading console BIOS and games isn’t legal.

As you can see, the choice of PS4 emulators is rather slim now, so why not try a PS3 emulator for PC or maybe a PS2 emulator instead?

Which one will you try? Share our thoughts in the comments section below.

More about the topics: emulator software, Playstation 4

Ivan Jenic

Ivan Jenic Shield

Windows Hardware Expert

Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting. When he's not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.

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