SDK85 vs Assembly Lab
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SDK85
This app emulates the Intel SDK-85 System Design Kit, allowing users to program and execute 8085 machine code. It features a hexpad, seven-segment display, and a monitor program, with an optional TTY mode for more comfortable input.
- 8085 microprocessor emulation
- Hexpad and seven-segment display UI
- Monitor program for code entry/execution
- TTY mode for serial terminal input
- Code execution suspension to save battery
- Play/pause button for resuming execution
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An emulator of the SDK-85 System Design Kit issued by Intel in the mid-seventies. The kit featured an 8085 micro processor, some basic IO chips, and a UI comprised of a hexpad and a six-digit seven-segment display. There was also a ROM plugged onto the board which contained a monitor program to enter and execute machine code on the 8085. The app emulates an 8085 and executes the monitor (shippment granted by Intel as long as the app is free and educational). The original kit leveraged the serial IO pins of the 8085 to connect a TTY as a somewhat more comfortable alternative to the hexpad/ display UI used by the monitor on startup. A wipe-left gesture shifts in a simple terminal and the monitor switches to TTY mode. To use the app one needs to get a copy of the original SDK-85 System Design Kit User‘s Manual (ask Google) and work it thru. Some knowledge of the 8085 and its instruction set is helpful as well, and being a boomer nerd who loved to program micro computers when young (and still does) is key. Intel designed the monitor to run in a loop that keeps the CPU constantly busy (on a single thread). To prevent the battery from draining the app suspends executing after 15 seconds indicated by a slightly blurred display. Tapping the centered play-pause button resumes the monitor or any other program in execution. Timeout and a few other options can be changed in the app‘s entry in Settings.
Assembly Lab
This app provides a powerful x86 16-bit real mode assembly language simulator and debugger for mobile devices and Mac. It offers real-time disassembly, register monitoring, memory browsing, and BIOS/DOS interrupt support for learning and practicing low-level programming.
- x86 16-bit CPU emulation
- NASM syntax assembler
- Real-time disassembly
- Breakpoint debugging
- Register and memory monitoring
- BIOS/DOS interrupt support
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AssemblyLab is a powerful x86 16-bit real mode assembly language simulator designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. No complex setup required — learn and practice assembly programming anywhere, anytime. 【CORE FEATURES】 • Complete x86 16-bit CPU emulation with 60+ instructions • NASM syntax assembler — write and run instantly • Real-time disassembly view to understand machine code • Full 1MB memory space, authentic real mode simulation 【POWERFUL DEBUGGING TOOLS】 • Set breakpoints and step through code • Live register monitoring (AX/BX/CX/DX/SP/BP/SI/DI) • Visual FLAGS indicator display • Memory browser with hex view and editing • Execution log to trace every instruction 【BIOS/DOS INTERRUPT SUPPORT】 • INT 10h Video Services: cursor control, character output, screen scrolling • INT 21h DOS Services: keyboard input, string output, program termination 【LEARNING-FRIENDLY】 • Built-in example programs from Hello World to algorithms • Syntax-highlighted code editor • Console output for immediate feedback • Load and run .COM files 【CROSS-PLATFORM EXPERIENCE】 • iPhone: optimized portrait layout • iPad: split-view interface for the big screen • Mac: native support with keyboard shortcuts Perfect for: - Computer Science students - Operating Systems course learners - Reverse engineering beginners - Retro computing enthusiasts - Developers curious about low-level programming AssemblyLab is your ideal companion for exploring how computers really work at the lowest level. Download now and start your assembly journey!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SDK85 at Free against Assembly Lab's $1.99. Assembly Lab's advantage is chart position (#198 vs unranked). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
SDK85 is free to download; Assembly Lab costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SDK85 ships an update every 2 weeks, Assembly Lab monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SDK85 | Assembly Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #198 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Juergen Schuck | Chongqing Hyperits Network Technology Co., Ltd. |
Customer experience
SDK85
Assembly Lab
In-app purchases
SDK85
No in-app purchases
Assembly Lab
No in-app purchases









