Comparison

Hand BASIC vs PockEmul

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

Head to head
About

Hand BASIC

Learn and program in BASIC language on your mobile device. This app offers a compatible version of Commodore's BASIC, ideal for students, scientists, and productivity workers. It includes a text editor, file management, and optional graphics extensions.

Highlights
  • Commodore 64 BASIC V2 compatible
  • Full-speed execution on device
  • Load/save files with directory creation
  • Full-featured iPhone text editor
  • Optional graphics extension with GML
  • In-app help and sample code
Features
Read full description

Learn and Program BASIC Language on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad! Hand BASIC - CBM Flavor is a compatible version of Commodore's version of Microsoft BASIC 6502 as found on the Commodore 64. Released for Educational purposes. BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a computer language designed so that it can be learned very easily. Hand BASIC users could be students, scientists, or any productivity workers. Type HELP to get started! *** Credits for CBMBASIC go to Michael Steil and James Abbatiello *** Features + Compatible with Commodore 64 BASIC V2 + It is not emulated, it runs with your device full speed + The ability to LOAD/SAVE files (case sensitive file names) + File I/O Support (Read/Write data files) + Full featured iPhone Text Editor to build your programs + The ability to make directories ** NEW ** + Provided with helpful Direct Mode Commands (nonstandard, see support webpage) + Renumber your program, plus other helpful file keeping functionality + Alert Sounds + In App Help (type HELP) + Portrait/Landscape Views + Supplied with Sample code (type FILES to see list). Now available through In-App Purchase: Graphics Extension: Empowers you to create complex graphics from simple graphic objects Features + Draw simple graphic objects: lines, rectangles, circles, text, ... + Draw at the super speed of your device + Make animations + Use Graphics Macro Language (GML) to draw objects + Define your colors with alpha channel (32bit color with transparency) + Select your drawn text font face and size + Interact with user taps + Assistant for typing Graphic Commands + Enables you to run included Graphic Sample Programs(10 samples) To find more details type HELP then select Graphics Extension Reference To open Graphics Extension Purchase Screen: - Type: PURCHASE - Type: ACTION then select Purchase - Or, run a program that uses Graphics Make sure to check out App Blog Page: cbmhandbasic.blogspot.com Please Note: - This is not Commodore 64 emulator. It is “Standalone” BASIC of Commodore 64. - Basic knowledge of Commodore 64 BASIC V2 is needed to use this App or just Read FAQ's. - While BASIC requires all commands to be capitalized (Lock Caps by double taping), commands will be automatically capitalized - Since this is not Commodore emulator, PEEK/POKE does not work. See New Commands for alternatives - Only ASCII characters are supported - iPad has different Graphics Extension than ordinary one (sold separately) Visit "Hawwash-Soft" page on iTunes for more Free App's Have Fun!

About

PockEmul

This app emulates vintage pocket computers and scientific calculators from the late 70s and 80s. It offers a wide range of fully emulated models, adapting to different screen sizes for use on iPhones and iPads. Access all functionalities and models with a single subscription fee.

Highlights
  • Emulates vintage pocket computers
  • Emulates scientific calculators
  • Supports iPhone and iPad
  • Wide range of emulated models
  • Adaptive screen size behavior
  • Subscription for full access
Read full description

PockEmul is an emulator of vintage pocket computers and scientific calculators from late 70s' to end 80s'. It adapts its behavior depending on the screen size. it is usable both on iPhone and iPad. PockEmul comes with 8 models fully emulated: - The scientific calculator HP-35, HP41C (HP41CX model), HP-48GX, FX 8000G, TI 57. - The pocket computer Sharp PC 1245, Sharp PC 1350, Sharp PC 1500 and Tandy PC-2. A single subscription fee give access to all functionalities and emulated models. Current available models are : - Casio PB-100, PB-300 - Casio PB-1000, PB-1000C - Casio PB-2000C, AI-1000 - Casio VX-3, VX-4, FX-870p - Casio FX-890p, Z-1, Z-1GR - Casio FP-200, FP-200Jap - Casio FX-9000p - Sharp PC-1211 Simulator - Sharp PC 1250, PC 1251, PC 1251H, PC 1255 - Sharp PC 1260, PC 1261, PC 1262 - Sharp PC-1280, PC-1280Jap - Sharp PC 1360, PC 2500 - Sharp PC 1401, PC 1402, PC 1403, PC 1403H, PC 1421, PC 1445 - Sharp PC-1425, PC-1425Jap, PC-1450, PC-1450Jap, PC-1475, PC-1475Jap - Sharp PC 1500, PC 1500jap, PC 1500A, PC 1501,CE 150 - Sharp PC 1600, CE 1600p - Sharp PC-E500, PC-E500jap, PC-E500-BL, PC-E550, PC-E500S, PC-U6000, PC-E220, PC-G850V - Sharp Printer CE-126P - HP 41C Printer (non-HP-IL) 82143A - HP 71b - HP-335, HP-10c, HP 11c, HP 12c, HP 15c and HP 16c which are RPN calculators. - TI-74, TI-95, CC-40, TI-42, TI-55 and TI-58 calculators. PC-100 Printer - Nec PC-2001, General LBC-1100, Sanco TPC-8300, National JR-800, Canon X-07, Epson HX-20 - Elektronika MK-85 , MK-85M , MK-90 - Panasonic HHC Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Hand BASIC4 screens
PockEmul4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Hand BASIC at free with in-app purchases against PockEmul's subscription. Hand BASIC also leads on ratings volume (45 vs 11) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Hand BASIC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and PockEmul sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Hand BASIC against 4.3 for PockEmul. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 11 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Hand BASIC's written reviews are positive against 77% of PockEmul's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hand BASIC ships an update every 5 weeks, PockEmul monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Hand BASIC versus PockEmul: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHand BASICPockEmul
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (45 ratings) — better4.3 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better76.9% of reviews
Number of ratings45 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAhmad HawwashMyrio Conseils

Customer experience

Hand BASIC

All ratings45 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral6.7%
Negative8.9%
Written reviews120 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral7.5%
Negative9.2%

PockEmul

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%

Bugs and requests

Hand BASIC

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Infinite loops freeze the app with no way to stop execution
  • Graphics mode (SCREEN 1) pops up briefly then disappears
  • On-screen keyboard functions dance around screen on iPad with external keyboard
  • Low Power Mode cuts program speed in half on iPhone
  • Program runs original version instead of edited version
Show 6 more
  • Syntax errors on valid BASIC commands
  • Copy/paste of programs doesn't work properly
  • Line editing requires retyping entire lines for corrections
  • Help and FAQ pages no longer accessible
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Graphics extension removed in updates, requiring repurchase

Requested features

16 requests
  • Run/Stop button to break out of infinite loops
  • Bluetooth keyboard support
  • Changeable font options
  • Copy/paste functionality
  • PEEK and POKE command support
Show 11 more
  • Ability to delete programs
  • Print AT function for neater output
  • INPUT command support
  • Web service integration
  • Files app integration
  • PC version of the app
  • Compiler for standalone app creation
  • Import/export .BAS files
  • Full C64 character set support
  • Cursor color customization
  • Function keys and CTRL support

PockEmul

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Hand BASIC

One-time2
  • Graphics Extension$9.99
  • Graphics Extension for iPad$9.99
4 purchases

PockEmul

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$1.491 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Subs. First year offer1 Year trial$2.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Subscription1 Year trial$23.991 Year

Questions

Is Hand BASIC free?
Hand BASIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PockEmul free?
PockEmul is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hand BASIC or PockEmul?
Hand BASIC is rated higher. Hand BASIC averages 4.4 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while PockEmul averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.
Do Hand BASIC or PockEmul have ads?
Neither Hand BASIC nor PockEmul shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hand BASIC or PockEmul?
Hand BASIC ships an update every 5 weeks, and PockEmul monthly. Most recently, Hand BASIC was updated on September 8, 2026 and PockEmul on September 11, 2026.

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