# RetroPod vs SameBoy

The clearest difference is rating: SameBoy at 4.5 against RetroPod's 3.7. SameBoy also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 59%) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 12 months). RetroPod's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SameBoy sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. RetroPod asks for nothing beyond the download.

SameBoy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 110 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of RetroPod's written reviews are positive against 84% of SameBoy's.

RetroPod ships an update every 12 months, SameBoy every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RetroPod | SameBoy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retropod/id6450168785/reviews) | **[4.5 (110 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **110** |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews | **83.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yash Tak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1685072692) | [Lior Halphon](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741211844) |

## What reviewers say

### RetroPod

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retropod/id6450168785)

Experience the nostalgic feel of the iPod Classic with a virtual click wheel and modern streaming service integration. Control playback with intuitive gestures and customize wheel sensitivity for a personalized music experience.

**Highlights:** Virtual click wheel interface, Wheel sensitivity adjustment, Volume control via click wheel, Spotify integration, Apple Music integration, Playlist and album access

**In-app purchases:** none


### SameBoy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295)

Experience classic handheld gaming with a highly accurate emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy. Enjoy advanced features like save states, rumble support, and controller compatibility. Play on your Apple Watch and customize your experience with various filters and themes.

**Highlights:** Accurate Game Boy emulation, Save states with gesture support, Rumble support, Apple Watch playability, Scaling filters, Game Boy Camera emulation, Controller support

**Features:** Game Controller support, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supporter | $0.99 | per month |
| Supporter Plus | $2.99 | per month |
| Supporter Premium | $7.99 | per month |
| Lifetime Theme Access | $4.99 | one-time |
| SameBoy for Apple Watch | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 No ads or intrusive monetization
- 🎮 Highly accurate Game Boy/GBC emulation
- 💡 Innovative gesture controls (swipe to save/load/fast-forward)
- 🎨 Beautiful, authentic design with multiple themes
- ⚙️ Extensive customization and emulation options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Apple Watch support requires paid subscription
- 🐛 iPad portrait mode menu bug
- ❌ No Game Boy Advance emulation despite claims
- 🎮 Small button sizes for large hands
- ⚠️ Cheats feature limited or non-functional

**Reported bugs**

- iPad portrait mode triggers menu on A button/Up arrow press
- Game Boy Camera crashes on iPhone 17 Pro Max when switching cameras
- Rewind function causes game data loss in some titles
- 200% and 400% speed boost settings don't work
- Cheats don't function properly for certain games

**Requested features**

- Game Boy Advance emulation support
- Cheat code functionality
- Multiplayer/wireless linking for Pokémon games
- Online multiplayer support
- Adjustable screen and button sizes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RetroPod free?

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

### Is SameBoy free?

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

### Which has better reviews, RetroPod or SameBoy?

SameBoy is rated higher. RetroPod averages 3.7 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while SameBoy averages 4.5 from 110 ratings.

### Do RetroPod or SameBoy have ads?

Neither RetroPod nor SameBoy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RetroPod or SameBoy?

RetroPod ships an update every 12 months, and SameBoy every 4 months. Most recently, RetroPod was updated on October 11, 2026 and SameBoy on October 10, 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.*