Comparison

CPCemu vs Retro

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

Head to head
About

CPCemu

Experience the Amstrad CPC, an 8-bit computer from the 1980s, on your modern device. Play classic games, explore demos, or learn Z80 programming with highly accurate graphics and sound emulation.

Highlights
  • Amstrad CPC emulation
  • High graphics and sound accuracy
  • Touchscreen joystick emulation
  • M4 Board emulation (SD card, internet)
  • V9990 graphics processor emulation
  • Save and reload emulation states
  • Real-time and turbo emulation modes
  • Integrated monitor program (debugger)
Features
Read full description

The Amstrad CPC is a semi-professional 8-bit computer with a 4 MHz microprocessor, introduced in 1984. If you owned one back in the 1980's or would have loved to do so, CPCemu is for you. If you would like to use special CPC software today or learn how to program a Z80 microprocessor, CPCemu is for you. You can also use it to watch the demos bringing the CPC to its limits, due to CPCemu's very high graphics and sound emulation accuracy, down to single microseconds. The type of graphics chip ("CRTC") can be selected in the user interface. Of course you can also play one or two of the amazing games still available using the touchscreen joystick emulation. CPCemu was the first emulator that provided emulation of an M4 Board (http://www.spinpoint.org) which provides an SD-card drive C:, configurable ROM slots and even TCP internet connections and HTTP downloads to the CPC. This emulation is compatible to the operating system SymbOS. CPCemu is the first CPC emulator that provides (basic) emulation of an external graphics card with a V9990 graphics processor, in particular for SymbOS. At any time, snapshots of the current state of the emulation can be saved and reloaded later. CPCemu provides real-time emulation and unlimited-speed emulation. Besides, the CPU speed can be switched between normal and 3x or 24x turbo mode. A simple monitor program (debugger) is integrated. It allows CRTC single-stepping (even if a CPU instruction takes more time than one CRTC step).

About

Retro

Features
Read full description

Bring the Commodore Amiga to your device. This app is a full Amiga emulator built on the UAE engine, ready to run your own legally owned Amiga software. RUN YOUR AMIGA Load ADF, HDF, WHDLoad, and IPF images from the Files app, iCloud Drive, or connected storage. Configure memory, kickstart, and hardware (OCS/AGA) to match each title. AUTHENTIC AUDIO AND VIDEO Cycle-accurate chipsets and Paula audio deliver the look and sound of the real machine. Mount hard drives, swap disks, and use save states to pick up exactly where you left off. FEATURES - UAE-based Amiga emulation (OCS/AGA) - ADF, HDF, WHDLoad, and IPF image support - Adjustable RAM, kickstart, and hardware configs - Gamepad, joystick, and on-screen keyboard mapping - Save states, fast-forward, screenshot capture - External display support - Files, iCloud Drive, and On My Device import This app ships with no copyrighted software or Kickstart ROMs. Add your own legally owned Amiga titles and ROMs to begin.

Screenshots

CPCemu4 screens
Retro1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CPCemu at Free against Retro's $2.99. CPCemu also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CPCemu is free to download; Retro costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
CPCemu versus Retro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCPCemuRetro
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB84 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperRainer LoritzJonathan Whittingham

In-app purchases

None

CPCemu

No in-app purchases

None

Retro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CPCemu free?
CPCemu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retro free?
Retro costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do CPCemu or Retro have ads?
Neither CPCemu nor Retro shows ads.

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