Comparison

GBA Emulator vs Retra

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

GBA Emulator

Relive classic gaming with this comprehensive emulator supporting a vast array of retro consoles. Save progress, fast-forward, customize controls, and even play with friends. Explore game facts and quizzes to enhance your retro experience.

Highlights
  • Supports multiple classic game consoles
  • Save and load game states
  • Fast forward gameplay
  • Customizable controller skins
  • Multiplayer support
  • Community game sharing
Features
Read full description

GBA Emulator: Retro Games is an ultimate emulator for iOS that supports a wide range of classic gaming systems, including GB, GBA, GBC, DS, NES, SNES, N64, PSP, PSX, PS1 and more. FEATURES 1. Support Various Game Consoles: • Game Boy (GB) • Game Boy Color (GBC) • Game Boy Advance (GBA) • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) • Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) • Nintendo DS (DS) • Nintendo 64 (N64) • PlayStation (PSP, PSX, PS1) • And even more is coming soon! 2. Game Menu: • Save States & Load States: Effortlessly save and load your game progress from the pause menu. Enjoy unlimited save slots for multiple game saves. • Fast Forward: Speed up through slower sections with a quick toggle from the pause menu. • Mute: Silence the game audio whenever you need a moment of peace. 3. Custom Controllers Skin: Personalize your gameplay with a variety of sleek and stylish controller skins. 4. Multi-players: Challenge your friends and enjoy the fun together with multiplayer capabilities. 5. Community: Boast your game levels and share your game states with others. Download and explore levels shared by fellow gamers. 6. Fun Fact & Quizzes: Discover fun facts about your favorite games and test your knowledge with game quizzes ***Note: Gameboy Emulator: Retro Games should only be used with legally obtained game files. We do not support or condone piracy. This emulator is independently developed and is not affiliated with any console manufacturers.*** To support us you can choose to subscribe to our auto-renewing subscriptions: • Users can subscribe for one week (USD 4.99$) or one month (USD 6.99$) or lifetime access (USD 29.99$). After the free trial, the total amount for the subscription will be charged to your iTunes Account. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal at the total subscription price within 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of the free trial is forfeited after purchase. Special introductory offers only apply to the first billing term. Subscriptions and auto-renewal may be managed or canceled via your iTunes Account settings: Setting > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > manage subscription after purchase. We would love to receive all your feedback to improve our app. • Terms of Use: https://smartwidgetlabs.com/terms-of-use/ • Privacy Policy: https://smartwidgetlabs.com/privacy-policy/ • You are welcome to contact us at support@smartwidgetlabs.com

About

Retra

Experience classic gaming with this retro console emulator. Relive childhood memories with support for multiple consoles, customizable skins, and controller integration. Unlock the full experience through a subscription or a lifetime purchase.

Highlights
  • Support for 5+ retro consoles
  • 10+ visual skins
  • Customizable settings
  • Controller support
  • Cloud game saving
  • Fast ROM import
Features
Read full description

Retra – a retro console emulator crafted with love for classic games. We’re excited to introduce Retra, an app inspired by the authentic style of old-school games that live deep in your childhood memories. We’ve added support for your favorite retro consoles — the ones you spent countless hours with. A wave of unforgettable nostalgia and pure fun awaits you inside the app. We’re happy to share that with a subscription, you’ll unlock the full experience: • Support for 5 retro consoles • 10+ visual skins – both vertical and horizontal layouts • Custom settings tailored to your playstyle • Controller support for a classic feel • cloud game saving Relive the magic. Play your past — today. Subscription & Terms Unlock the full Retra experience with either a weekly subscription ($7.99/week) or a one-time lifetime purchase ($39.99). By upgrading, you gain access to all premium emulator features: • Support for 5+ retro consoles • 10+ visual skins — including vertical and horizontal layouts • Fast and easy ROM import • Save game progress anytime • Full external controller support The weekly subscription auto-renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your Apple ID account will be charged at confirmation. Manage or cancel your subscription anytime via your App Store account settings. The lifetime option is a one-time purchase with no recurring charges. For more details, please review our https://retra.app/Terms/ and https://retra.app/Privacy/

Screenshots

GBA Emulator4 screens
Retra4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Retra at 4.8 against GBA Emulator's 3.7. Retra also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). GBA Emulator's advantage is review sentiment (40% vs 15%). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. GBA Emulator sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Retra sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retra holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.3K and 3K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 40% of GBA Emulator's written reviews are positive against 15% of Retra's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GBA Emulator ships an update fortnightly, Retra every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
GBA Emulator versus Retra: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGBA EmulatorRetra
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (1.3K ratings)4.8 (3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews39.7% of reviews — better14.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.3K3K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size314 MB80 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSMART WIDGET LABS COMPANY LIMITEDMODERN DEV LP

Customer experience

GBA Emulator

All ratings1,192 ratings
Positive66.4%
Neutral3.5%
Negative30.0%
Written reviews456 reviews
Positive39.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative54.2%

Retra

All ratings3,000 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews265 reviews
Positive14.7%
Neutral6.4%
Negative78.9%

User reviews

GBA Emulator

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💖 Great game
  • 🎮 Enjoyable emulation experience

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with ROMs
  • 🚫 Doesn't work as expected
  • 💸 Excessive ads and premium paywall
  • 🔇 Missing audio/sound

Retra

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Nostalgic feel
  • 👍 Controller support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Difficult to play on mobile
  • 💰 Expensive pricing
  • 🔒 Suspicious free trial
  • 🐛 Freezing issues
  • 🐛 Unresponsive controls

Bugs and requests

GBA Emulator

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • White screen on startup
  • Inability to download/play certain games

Requested features

2 requests
  • Option to adjust controller transparency
  • Support for more game systems (N64, DS)

Retra

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Games freeze
  • Inability to play without paying

Requested features

2 requests
  • Option to exit free trial
  • Improve mobile optimization

In-app purchases

10 purchases

GBA Emulator

Subscriptions9
  • Weekly Premium Game Emulator$0.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium Game Emulator$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium Game Emulator3 Days trial$4.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Yearly Premium Game Emulator$6.991 Year
  • Weekly Premium Game Emulator3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Monthly Premium Game Emulator$6.991 Month
  • Weekly Premium Game Emulator3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium Game Emulator$12.991 Year
  • Yearly Plus$15.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium Game Emulator$29.99
3 purchases

Retra

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly access to emulator$6.997 Days
  • Weekly access to emulator7 Days trial$6.997 Days
One-time1
  • Lifetime access to emulator$39.99

Questions

Is GBA Emulator free?
GBA Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retra free?
Retra is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GBA Emulator or Retra?
Retra is rated higher. GBA Emulator averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while Retra averages 4.8 from 3K ratings.
Do GBA Emulator or Retra have ads?
Both GBA Emulator and Retra show ads.
Which is updated more often, GBA Emulator or Retra?
GBA Emulator ships an update fortnightly, and Retra every 4 days. Most recently, GBA Emulator was updated on November 8, 2026 and Retra on November 8, 2026.

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