# Jupiter ACE — Jupiter Cantab > Digital recreation of the 1980s Jupiter ACE home computer with example software. (iPhone/iPad app by Andrews UK Limited.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jupiter-ace/id1581220883 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Andrews UK Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/321134954) - Category: Games, Education, Simulation - Price: Free - Rating: 5.00/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 41 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2021-08-14 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jupiter-ace/id1581220883/reviews.md ## What is Jupiter ACE? Welcome to a remarkable part of early 1980s home computing. This app focuses on the Jupiter ACE experience and is loaded with example software. Please note that the system is completely self-contained and this means you cannot remotely add code, more games etc. Background: The Jupiter ACE was a home computer released in September 1982. It was created by Jupiter Cantab, a Cambridge company founded by Steven Vickers and Richard Altwasser, who were both involved in the development of Sinclair computers. The ACE distinguished itself from other home micros of that era by opting to include the Forth computer language instead of BASIC. Despite a short lived sales period the computer earned the respect of those owners that embraced it for development. It is now sought after by collectors, fetching many times the value of other competitor computers released at that time. The Jupiter ACE trademark, logo, ROM and many of the included programs are under trademark and copyright licenses from – Subvert Ltd Many thanks to all the developers of the loaded ACE software who have all granted permission to include their titles in the app and enthusiasts that helped source content. We hope this list of software will continue to grow in future updates. Also special thanks to those owners of the original computer that have helped verify the accuracy of this app. ## Key features - Jupiter ACE home computer simulation - Includes example software - Authentic 1980s computing experience - Self-contained digital environment - Historical computing artifact ## Recent user reviews (4 of 4) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jupiter-ace/id1581220883/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Fun but *2023-12-31* This is pretty fun to learn forth and hopefully z80, but it is almost impossible to type the period. The symbol key is too near the period and the backspace , and on an iphone it doesnt work most of the time or it conflicts with the app switcher. It would be nice to have shift buttons that you dont have to leave pressed, but stay on for the next character. **Developer response:** Thanks for the review! Regarding the shift and symbol keys, in the settings screen there are Caps Lock and Symbol Lock enable options - these will leave the keys pressed. Yes, on the smaller iPhone devices the keys are more fiddly, so tapping the “Practical” layout option above the keyboard in portrait orientation can be helpful. You mentioned learning Forth and the Z80. When tapping on the simulated screen with iOS/iPadOS 14+, more options will be revealed including the Jupiter ACE manual and a Z80 debugger. The best experience is on an iPad where this functionality opens in a separate adjacent window/scene and the app virtual keyboard is easier to use. ### 5/5 — Keeps getting better *2022-07-15* Some nice quality of life improvements added in the last few months! It can still feel a little clunky to use, but I think that’s more a reflection of the Ace (and retro computers in general) than a criticism of this app. I just discovered the integrated Z80 debugger, which really puts this emulation on another level! Overall, a cool emulation of an interesting piece of computing history. **Developer response:** UPDATE: New version of app with symbol lock and short text in about screen about the Ace Forth version. UPDATE 2: Tapping on the emulated screen will give you the option to view the Jupiter ACE Manual, which includes more information about the version of Forth in appendix D. —— Thanks for the review! We can accommodate your request for a symbol lock setting in the next update. We can also add a summary about the Forth version in the about screen. ### 5/5 — Absolutely brilliant *2021-12-22* This app is a recovery of a fascinating past in the evolution of computer science. The Jupiter Ace was the best implementation of a fully integrated Forth system. Even though Forth has lived on silently in, for example, the BIOS of Sun SPARC systems, it never quite reached the level of public exposure — program listings in computer magazines! — that the Ace brought. I am so happy and grateful for this app. **Developer response:** Thank you for sparing time to send a review. Forth was a brave choice and distinguishes this computer from others during a diverse golden era of home computing. Sometimes this lesser known language is pointed to as a key factor behind the ACE not achieving marketplace success. However, most buyers would have been naive about the built in ROM language and more likely to be swayed by color graphics and the momentum of other more established brands. Let us not overlook the clean architecture of the computer, which makes is relatively plain sailing to emulate and as a bonus requires a low load on the host iOS/iPadOS device. Satisfying to read that you value this app. We shall continue to update it. ### 5/5 — Superb *2021-09-27* A masterpiece. Unless you owned a Jupiter ACE (which not that many people did), this is better than nostalgia—it's a glimpse of a different path, one that the home computing revolution of the early '80s never quite took. It's also a fun way to learn Forth, a classic programming language that is probably otherwise most associated with the "embedded systems" world (from computerized gizmos to space probes). **Developer response:** Thank you for sparing time to write such a positive review. It was a pleasure creating this app largely because the original computer had such a clean architecture. Satisfying to read that it conjures nostalgia. We’ll continue to update the app to keep the ACE alive on this platform. ## Frequently asked questions about Jupiter ACE ### What is Jupiter ACE? Jupiter ACE is a digital recreation of the Jupiter ACE home computer, which was released in September 1982. It was known for using the Forth programming language instead of BASIC. ### Can I add more games or code to Jupiter ACE? No, the system is completely self-contained. You cannot remotely add code or more games to this application. ### Is Jupiter ACE free to download and use? Yes, Jupiter ACE is available for free. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What devices support Jupiter ACE? Jupiter ACE is supported on iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It is designed for iOS devices. ### How often is Jupiter ACE updated? The latest version, 1.1.3, was released on April 2, 2024. Updates aim to grow the list of included software and verify accuracy. ### What is the age rating for Jupiter ACE? Jupiter ACE has an age rating of 9+. This is suitable for children and adults interested in its historical content. ### What makes Jupiter ACE special compared to other retro computer apps? Jupiter ACE focuses specifically on the unique Jupiter ACE system and its Forth language, offering an authentic experience for enthusiasts of this particular 1980s computer. ### Does Jupiter ACE have ads? No, Jupiter ACE does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free experience. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.1.3 — 2024-04-02 Fixes a crash on startup for iOS 12. ### 1.1.2 — 2023-12-05 • New settings option to display the text in the app interface using a font that mimics the characters in the Jupiter ACE ROM. • Fix for gamepad settings not being preserved when restoring an app session. • Fix the software list not updating the detail view after the last selected entry has been excluded by the filter search. ### 1.1.1 — 2023-04-01 Added export option for ACE32 snapshot files. See the "Software" button -> "Save Slots" tab. Many thanks to Mikael Bonnier for suggesting the option and testing the exported files. ### 1.1.0 — 2023-03-25 • Improved the reliability of starting the included programs by injecting their load commands directly into the computer memory instead of simulating keypresses. • iPadOS multiple windows support for the Z80 debug and the Jupiter ACE user manual views (tap on the simulated screen to access this functionality). Many thanks to Allan McLeod for his assistance in testing this update. ### 1.0.5 — 2022-07-30 Corrected: • multiple crash scenarios. • physical keyboard support and screenshot saving for macOS (can be installed on Apple Silicon Macs with an iPadOS interface layout). Special thanks to Allan McLeod for testing changes. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*