# RetroLumo vs RetroHandheld

The clearest difference is rating: RetroLumo at 5.0 against RetroHandheld's 3.8. RetroLumo also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). RetroHandheld's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RetroLumo sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and RetroHandheld sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

RetroLumo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RetroLumo | RetroHandheld |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrolumo/id6499460908/reviews)** | [3.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrohandheld/id6759585946/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 217 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Volitare Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1743537021) | [David Margot](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877555458) |

## What reviewers say

### RetroLumo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrolumo/id6499460908)

Explore a collection of bite-sized, retro-style minigames playable solo or with friends. Earn in-game rewards and customize your profile. Cloud saves ensure your progress follows you across devices.

**Highlights:** Retro-style minigames, Multiplayer support, Account sync and cloud saves, Cosmetic collection and profile upgrades, Controller support (touch and Bluetooth)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supporter Pass | $2.99 | per month |
| Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gems | $14.99 | one-time |
| Gems | $29.99 | one-time |
| Gems | $49.99 | one-time |
| Gems | $99.99 | one-time |


### RetroHandheld

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrohandheld/id6759585946)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a classic gaming console. Play popular retro systems like Game Boy, NES, and PlayStation with controller support and save states. Bring your own legally owned game files for an offline, ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Plays 8 classic consoles, Controller support, Save states and auto-save, Offline play, Cheat code support, iCloud backup

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Unlock | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RetroLumo free?

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

### Is RetroHandheld free?

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

### Which has better reviews, RetroLumo or RetroHandheld?

RetroLumo is rated higher. RetroLumo averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while RetroHandheld averages 3.8 from 4 ratings.

### Do RetroLumo or RetroHandheld have ads?

RetroLumo shows ads; RetroHandheld does not.

### Which is updated more often, RetroLumo or RetroHandheld?

RetroLumo ships an update every 2 weeks, and RetroHandheld every 2 weeks. Most recently, RetroLumo was updated on November 4, 2026 and RetroHandheld on October 31, 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.*