# ZX81 vs The Brain Split

The clearest difference is update cadence: The Brain Split at every 4 days against ZX81's every 10 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

ZX81 ships an update every 10 days, The Brain Split every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ZX81 | The Brain Split |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (92 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zx81/id1180117434/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **92** | — |
| Positive reviews | 98.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 86 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kevin Palser](https://appshunter.io/developer/1180117433) | [Suleyman Dibirov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1041879145) |

## What reviewers say

### ZX81

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

Experience early 1980s home computing with this app dedicated to the Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81. It includes a wealth of example software, offering a nostalgic journey into the origins of personal computing.

**Highlights:** Sinclair ZX80/ZX81 emulation, Timex Sinclair 1000 support, Includes example software, Focuses on early 1980s computing, ROM code included with permission

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Brain Split

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-brain-split/id6755656252)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ZX81 free?

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

### Is The Brain Split free?

The Brain Split is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do ZX81 or The Brain Split have ads?

Neither ZX81 nor The Brain Split shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ZX81 or The Brain Split?

ZX81 ships an update every 10 days, and The Brain Split every 4 days. Most recently, ZX81 was updated on October 13, 2026 and The Brain Split on September 26, 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.*