For almost everyone, Azahar is the one to use. Azahar is the same Citra code, still maintained, with fixes and features the frozen Citra never got. Citra is the final official build, but it no longer changes. Both run the same games in the same way, and you can move your saves from one to the other. This page shows the real differences in plain terms.
What is the difference between Citra and Azahar?
Azahar is the maintained version of Citra. Citra is the final official build, and it never changes now. Azahar took Citra’s open code and kept working on it.
So Azahar keeps getting fixes, better speed and new features. Citra stays exactly as it was on its last day. If you are unsure why Citra stopped, read is Citra still working first.
Is Azahar the same as Citra?
Almost. Azahar is built from Citra’s own code. It has the same look, the same menus and the same game support. It was made by joining two community projects that started after Citra closed. One was a Citra fork, the other was Lime3DS. A fork is a copy of open code that other people keep developing. Those two joined into a single project called Azahar. So Azahar is not a rival. It is Citra, carried forward.
What can Azahar do that Citra cannot?
Quite a lot, because it is still being worked on. Here is what stands out:
- It still gets bug fixes and new features. Citra gets none.
- It offers more build options, like a Linux Flatpak and two Android builds.
- Its Vulkan support is wider and faster on many devices. Vulkan is a modern graphics system that can boost speed.
- It can load games straight from a real 3DS over your local network, so you may not need to dump them first.
- It can compress your game files to save storage space.
Citra has none of these. It is fixed at its final state.
Which one is faster?
Azahar, in most cases. The team keeps improving speed and graphics. Its stronger Vulkan support helps many devices run smoother. Real speed still depends on your hardware and the game. But between the two, Azahar has the edge. To get the most from either one, use our best settings guide.
Can you move your Citra games, saves and settings to Azahar?
Yes, and it is easy. Azahar uses the same save layout as Citra. Point Azahar at your games folder and your saves show up on their own. You can also copy your old Citra user folder into Azahar’s folder.
Your progress carries over, so you do not have to start again. Your game files work in both. You keep using the same .3ds and .cia files.
Do your mods and custom textures still work in Azahar?
In most cases, yes. Azahar keeps Citra’s folder structure, so mods and texture packs usually load the same way. Drop them in the matching folder and they work. If something misbehaves after a big update, re-check the folder path. Our custom textures guide applies to both. The same is true for our mods guide.
Which platforms does each one support?
Both Citra and Azahar run on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. Azahar adds more build options, including a Linux Flatpak and two Android builds. One Android build is simple to set up, the other is faster for large game libraries.
Neither Citra nor Azahar has an official iPhone or iPad version. For a full platform view, see our best 3DS emulator page. Android users can start with our Android guide.
Is Azahar safe and legal?
Yes on both counts. Azahar is clean, open-source software. It holds no Nintendo code, so the program itself is legal. The rules for games are the same as always. You must use games you dumped from a console you own. Our guide covers how to get games the legal way. As with any download, get Azahar from a trusted source and check the file.
Citra vs Azahar at a glance
| Point | Citra (final build) | Azahar (maintained) |
|---|---|---|
| Updates | None, frozen | Ongoing fixes and features |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android | Same, plus Flatpak and two Android builds |
| Vulkan support | Basic | Wider and faster on many devices |
| Load games from a real 3DS | No | Yes, over local network |
| Compress game files | No | Yes, to save storage |
| Your saves and games | Work | Work, and import from Citra |
| Best for | The exact last official build | Almost everyone |
Which should you use?
Use Azahar. For almost everyone, it is the clear pick. It runs the same games, keeps your saves and gets better over time.
Pick Citra only if you want the exact last official build, for testing or for old times. You can even keep both installed side by side. Both the frozen Citra build and the current Azahar build are on our download page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Azahar better than Citra?
For most users, yes. It still gets fixes and runs faster on many devices. Citra is frozen in place.
Can I use my Citra saves in Azahar?
Yes. Azahar reads the same save layout, so your progress carries over.
Is Azahar free?
Yes. It is free and open-source, just like Citra was.
Does Azahar work on iPhone?
No. There is no official Azahar for iOS, the same as Citra.
Do I need to delete Citra to use Azahar?
No. You can keep both. Many people install Azahar and leave Citra in place.
Is Azahar the same as Citra MMJ?
No. Citra MMJ was a separate Android fork of Citra. Azahar is the newer, maintained project. See our Citra MMJ page for that older Android build.