# X vs emu

The clearest difference is ads: emu at none against X's shown. emu also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. X sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and emu sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

X ships an update every 3 weeks, emu every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | X | emu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emu-retro-game-emulator/id6799981908/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **2** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 14 MB | 145 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tomoya Hasegawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1276547971) | [Code and DESIGN inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1172903960) |

## What reviewers say

### X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x-remo-smart-web-remote/id1602125806)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Functional Restrictions | $2.99 | one-time |


### emu

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emu-retro-game-emulator/id6799981908)

This app allows you to play classic games from seventeen different systems on your iPhone without complex setup. It supports various file formats and offers features like a unified library, customizable controls, and rollback saves. Enjoy local or online multiplayer with friends.

**Highlights:** Supports seventeen retro game systems, No downloads or configuration needed, Unified game library with search and favorites, Customizable on-screen and gamepad controls, Automatic saves and rewind functionality, Two-player online multiplayer, Supports various archive and disc image formats

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hide Ads | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is X free?

X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is emu free?

emu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do X or emu have ads?

X shows ads; emu does not.

### Which is updated more often, X or emu?

X ships an update every 3 weeks, and emu every 2 days. Most recently, X was updated on October 30, 2026 and emu on October 31, 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.*