Comparison

A2io vs Z80CPM

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

A2io

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A2io is the companion application to the "A2io" Bluetooth adapter, which is a hardware device for Apple II vintage computers. The A2io application allows the user to interact with the Apple II using touch & motion control, as well as wireless controllers that are paired with the iOS device. The A2io application includes a virtual "paddle" controller, and drawing tablet for use with legacy Apple II drawing software. The game controller interface provides calibration adjustments, and visual feedback while using a paired Bluetooth controller with an Apple II computer.

About

Z80CPM

Experience the classic CP/M operating system on your iOS or Mac device with a full Z80 processor emulator. Run authentic CP/M software, including operating systems, word processors, programming languages, and text adventures. Works offline with support for multiple disk images.

Highlights
  • Full Z80 emulation
  • VT100 terminal support
  • Multiple disk image mounting
  • Offline functionality
  • Native Mac support
  • Downloadable CP/M disk images
Features
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RomWBW CP/M brings the classic CP/M operating system to your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a full Z80 processor emulator. FEATURES • Full Z80 Emulation - Accurate instruction emulation runs authentic CP/M software • VT100 Terminal - ANSI escape sequence support for text adventures and productivity apps • Multiple Disk Support - Mount up to 4 disk images simultaneously • Download Disk Images - Fetch CP/M disk images directly from the RomWBW project • Works Offline - Downloaded disk images are stored locally • Native Mac Support - Runs natively on macOS via Mac Catalyst CLASSIC SOFTWARE Run the software that defined personal computing: • Operating Systems: CP/M 2.2, CP/M 3, ZSDOS, NZCOM, ZPM3 • Word Processing: WordStar • Programming: Turbo Pascal, Microsoft BASIC • Text Adventures: Zork, Adventure, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy • Databases: dBASE II • And thousands more CP/M programs GETTING STARTED 1. Open Settings and download a disk image (CP/M 2.2 recommended) 2. Select the disk image for Unit 0 3. Press Play to start the emulator 4. Press 0 at the boot menu to boot from disk BUILT ON ROMWBW This emulator is built on the RomWBW HBIOS platform, the same firmware used by real retro Z80 hardware projects. Disk images are downloaded from the official RomWBW project and include freely distributable CP/M software. TECHNICAL DETAILS • 80x25 character terminal display • hd1k disk format (8MB per slice, 64MB per disk) • Hardware keyboard support • Portrait and landscape orientation Perfect for retrocomputing enthusiasts, computer history education, or anyone who wants to experience the operating system that launched the personal computer revolution.

Screenshots

A2io4 screens
Z80CPM1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Z80CPM at every 10 days against A2io's every 43 months. A2io's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

A2io ships an update every 43 months, Z80CPM every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
A2io versus Z80CPM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA2ioZ80CPM
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 43 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAaron ReidAaron Wohl

In-app purchases

None

A2io

No in-app purchases

None

Z80CPM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is A2io free?
A2io is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Z80CPM free?
Z80CPM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do A2io or Z80CPM have ads?
Neither A2io nor Z80CPM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, A2io or Z80CPM?
A2io ships an update every 43 months, and Z80CPM every 10 days. Most recently, A2io was updated on September 8, 2026 and Z80CPM on September 18, 2026.

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