# SameBoy vs Lucky Emulator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SameBoy at 83% against Lucky Emulator's 41%. SameBoy also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Lucky Emulator's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (14K vs 110). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SameBoy sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Lucky Emulator sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Lucky Emulator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lucky Emulator has 14K ratings behind it against 110, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of SameBoy's written reviews are positive against 41% of Lucky Emulator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SameBoy ships an update every 4 months, Lucky Emulator every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SameBoy | Lucky Emulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (110 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lucky-emulator-gba-and-ds/id6504077594/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 110 | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | **82.9% of reviews** | 41.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 7 MB | 151 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Lior Halphon](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741211844) | [Lucky Emulator Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1845301604) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Lucky Emulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lucky-emulator-gba-and-ds/id6504077594)

Play your favorite Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games on your iPhone and iPad. This app offers smooth performance, customizable controls, and the ability to save your progress at any time. Easily import your own game ROMs and enjoy a classic gaming experience.

**Highlights:** GBA & NDS game emulation, Import ROMs from Files/iCloud, Save states and quick load, Fast forward gameplay, Bluetooth controller support, Customizable on-screen controls, Dual-screen NDS layouts

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Emulator Base | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Emulator Base | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Emulator monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Emulator pro | $24.99 | per year |
| Emulator yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| 7 Days VIP | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth emulation
- 💡 Access to classic games
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎮 Nostalgic gaming experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 💰 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🔍 Inconsistent subscription behavior
- 🚫 Inability to use cheat codes

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription issues (loss of access, unable to restore)
- Crashes and data loss
- Ads persisting despite paid subscription

**Requested features**

- Add cheat code support
- Improve save/load functionality
- Expand game library beyond GBA


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SameBoy free?

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

### Is Lucky Emulator free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SameBoy or Lucky Emulator?

Lucky Emulator is rated higher. SameBoy averages 4.5 out of 5 from 110 ratings, while Lucky Emulator averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do SameBoy or Lucky Emulator have ads?

Neither SameBoy nor Lucky Emulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SameBoy or Lucky Emulator?

SameBoy ships an update every 4 months, and Lucky Emulator every 10 days. Most recently, SameBoy was updated on October 20, 2026 and Lucky Emulator 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.*