# ZX81 vs Retro

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ZX81 at 92 against Retro's 2. Retro's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 10 days). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ZX81 against 5.0 for Retro. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZX81 has 92 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

ZX81 ships an update every 10 days, Retro every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ZX81 | Retro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (92 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zx81/id1180117434/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-fred/id6738402036/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **92** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 98.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 90 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Kevin Palser](https://appshunter.io/developer/1180117433) | [Miguel Catalina](https://appshunter.io/developer/1780691635) |

## What reviewers say

### ZX81

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zx81/id1180117434)

Experience early 1980s home computing with this app, focusing on the Sinclair ZX81. It includes example software and syncs sessions between your iPhone and Apple Watch.

**Highlights:** Sinclair ZX80/ZX81 emulation, Timex Sinclair 1000/1500 emulation, Includes example software, watchOS app included, Session syncing between devices

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Retro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-fred/id6738402036)

Navigate a treacherous pyramid maze, collecting treasures and avoiding deadly creatures. Use your gun to defend yourself against ghosts, mummies, vampires, and skeletons. Discover helpful cheats to aid your escape.

**Highlights:** Pyramid maze navigation, Treasure collection, Enemy avoidance and combat, Multiple enemy types, In-game cheats (POKEs), 6 levels of increasing difficulty

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ZX81 free?

ZX81 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Retro free?

Retro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ZX81 or Retro?

Retro is rated higher. ZX81 averages 4.9 out of 5 from 92 ratings, while Retro averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do ZX81 or Retro have ads?

Neither ZX81 nor Retro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ZX81 or Retro?

ZX81 ships an update every 10 days, and Retro every 3 days. Most recently, ZX81 was updated on November 11, 2026 and Retro on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*