Comparison

VirtualKim vs Digital Electronics Guide

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

Head to head
About

VirtualKim

Experience the 6502 microprocessor, the heart of 1970s home computers. This app emulates the 8-bit processor with an assembler and programming puzzles. Learn to code on a minimalist interface and discover how early computing was done.

Highlights
  • 6502 CPU emulation
  • Built-in assembler
  • Programming puzzles
  • Minimalist UI with LEDs and buttons
  • Monitor program for memory editing
  • Debug and run applications
Features
Read full description

The 6502 microprocessor changed the world. Released in the 1970’s, it was the reason that home computers were within the reach of many hobbyists. This app re-creates the 6502 CPU and some of the hardware that used it. This isn't a game (although games are included), this is an emulation of the 8-bit processor, complete with an assembler and some programming puzzles to solve. Start with the most basic user interface you can imagine - six 7-segment LEDs and some buttons - to enter, debug and run your applications. Then upgrade to a display and keyboard, and use the built-in monitor program to dump memory, makes edits and execute your code. Can you run BASIC? Maybe. FORTH? Perhaps. Assembler? Definitely! Don't think of this as a something "fun" or "enjoyable" in the traditional sense. Think of it as a puzzle: how on earth did those folks in the 1970's manage to do ANYTHING when computers were this basic? Documentation is provided, but to get the most of out of this app you'll need to do your own research. Just like in the 1970s. Features - KIM-1 keypad/LED mode simulator. - KIM-1 serial terminal mode simulator. - Apple 1 serial terminal mode simulator. - Multiple programs including Life, Mastermind, word games, Trek, and more. - Working 6502 Assembler with single-step, memory and register view. - A comprehensive 6502 tutorial system with interactive lessons and reference material. - Shareware! All features are always available without a purchase.

About

Digital Electronics Guide

This app serves as a comprehensive reference for digital electronics, covering essential theory and practical guides. It's designed for students, engineers, and hobbyists to learn and prototype digital circuits with ease. Features include detailed information on logic gates, IC families, and various digital components.

Highlights
  • Logic gate tutorials
  • IC reference data (TTL 7400, CMOS 4000)
  • Digital circuit design and prototyping
  • Covers counters, flip-flops, and more
  • Available in 14 languages
  • Detailed tutorials and references
Features
Read full description

Digital Electronics Guide is a powerful reference tool for electronics students, engineers, and hobbyists. Whether you're just starting out or already experienced, this app helps you design, learn, and prototype with ease. It combines essential theory with practical guides and covers key digital electronics topics, including logic gates, counters, flip-flops, and IC reference data. The app also features detailed information on popular digital IC families such as TTL 7400 and CMOS 4000 series. Perfect for quick learning or as a companion for working on electronic circuits and digital systems. Available in 14 Languages: • English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese — study in your native language! The app includes detailed tutorials and references for: • Basic logic • Families of digital chips • Universal logic elements • Elements with Schmitt trigger • Buffer elements • Flip-flops • Registers • Counters • Adders • Multiplexers • Decoders and demultiplexers • 7-segment LED drivers • Encryptors • Digital comparators • Astable CMOS Oscillators • Monostable CMOS Oscillators • Bistable CMOS Oscillators • Gated CMOS Oscillators • TTL Oscillators • 7400 series ICs • 4000 series ICs Whether you're learning, teaching, or building real-world digital circuits, Digital Electronics Pro is your trusted companion every step of the way.

Screenshots

VirtualKim4 screens
Digital Electronics Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Digital Electronics Guide at none against VirtualKim's 1. Digital Electronics Guide also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 85%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). VirtualKim's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. VirtualKim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Digital Electronics Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Digital Electronics Guide holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VirtualKim has 29 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of VirtualKim's written reviews are positive against 100% of Digital Electronics Guide's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VirtualKim ships an update weekly, Digital Electronics Guide every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and August 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
VirtualKim versus Digital Electronics Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVirtualKimDigital Electronics Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (29 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings29 — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn KennedyALG Software Lab

Customer experience

VirtualKim

All ratings29 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral3.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral11.5%
Negative3.8%

Digital Electronics Guide

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

VirtualKim

One-time1
  • Buy Me a Coffee$0.99
None

Digital Electronics Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VirtualKim free?
VirtualKim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Digital Electronics Guide free?
Digital Electronics Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VirtualKim or Digital Electronics Guide?
Digital Electronics Guide is rated higher. VirtualKim averages 4.8 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Digital Electronics Guide averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do VirtualKim or Digital Electronics Guide have ads?
Digital Electronics Guide shows ads; VirtualKim does not.
Which is updated more often, VirtualKim or Digital Electronics Guide?
VirtualKim ships an update weekly, and Digital Electronics Guide every 5 weeks. Most recently, VirtualKim was updated on September 9, 2026 and Digital Electronics Guide on August 27, 2026.

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