# XScreenSaver vs VirtualFriend

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: XScreenSaver at none against VirtualFriend's 4. XScreenSaver also leads on update cadence (every 6 months vs every 24 months) and ratings volume (109 vs 21). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VirtualFriend sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. XScreenSaver asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for XScreenSaver against 4.9 for VirtualFriend. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: XScreenSaver has 109 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of XScreenSaver's written reviews are positive against 95% of VirtualFriend's.

XScreenSaver ships an update every 6 months, VirtualFriend every 24 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | XScreenSaver | VirtualFriend |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (109 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xscreensaver/id539014593/reviews) | **[4.9 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtualfriend-vb-emulator/id6479948317/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **109** | 21 |
| Positive reviews | 92.9% of reviews | **95.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 24 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 37 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jamie Zawinski](https://appshunter.io/developer/368900426) | [Adam Gastineau](https://appshunter.io/developer/913804973) |

## What reviewers say

### XScreenSaver

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xscreensaver/id539014593)

Explore a vast collection of historic and educational graphics demos originally designed for Linux and Unix systems. This application allows you to interact with hundreds of these visual demonstrations, ported from the classic screen saver collection.

**Highlights:** Historic graphics demos, Educational visual content, Interactive demo playback, Large collection of visuals, Cross-platform heritage

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ No ads or data collection
- 🎨 Extensive variety of screensavers
- 📱 Works seamlessly across multiple platforms (iOS, Mac, iPad)
- 🆓 Completely free application
- 🕰️ Nostalgic and retro aesthetic appeal

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes with certain screensavers
- 🎯 Difficult to tap small exit button on larger devices
- 🔋 High battery consumption on some devices
- ⚠️ Photo library screensaver crashes on iOS 13
- 🎪 Limited practical use on iOS devices

**Reported bugs**

- Photo library screensaver crashes on iOS 13
- GLText reveals password when system info is selected
- Framebuffer loading failures requiring app restart
- Crashes on certain devices or configurations
- Difficult UI for exiting screensavers on larger phones

**Requested features**

- Favorites or bookmarking system to save preferred screensavers
- Hide or exclude unwanted screensavers from rotation
- Ability to select specific channels in XAnalogTV screensaver
- Widget support for iOS standby mode
- Prevent auto-lock feature to keep screen on


### VirtualFriend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtualfriend-vb-emulator/id6479948317)

Experience classic Nintendo Virtual Boy games in true 3D on Apple Vision Pro and iOS. This open-source emulator allows you to explore the entire official library and homebrew titles with customizable color palettes and flexible control options.

**Highlights:** 3D Virtual Boy experience, Explore official and homebrew libraries, Customizable color palettes, Flexible control options (touchscreen, controller, keyboard), 3D title screen previews

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Extra Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Excellent Virtual Boy emulation
- 👍 Easy to run games
- 👍 Light and simple UI
- 🎮 Works well with controllers
- 🙏 Grateful for the developer's work

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some games run slow
- 🐛 Some games crash after 10 minutes
- 🎮 Lack of button mapping
- 🔉 Buzzing sound issues in Hyper Fighting
- 🕶️ No cardboard/VR headset support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is XScreenSaver free?

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

### Is VirtualFriend free?

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

### Which has better reviews, XScreenSaver or VirtualFriend?

VirtualFriend is rated higher. XScreenSaver averages 4.8 out of 5 from 109 ratings, while VirtualFriend averages 4.9 from 21 ratings.

### Do XScreenSaver or VirtualFriend have ads?

Neither XScreenSaver nor VirtualFriend shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, XScreenSaver or VirtualFriend?

XScreenSaver ships an update every 6 months, and VirtualFriend every 24 months. Most recently, XScreenSaver was updated on October 24, 2026 and VirtualFriend on October 24, 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.*