Comparison

TinyEmulator vs RetroPlay

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

Head to head
About

TinyEmulator

Play classic retro games on your device with this emulator. Enjoy solo or multiplayer experiences, with support for a wide range of classic gaming systems. Save your progress, use controllers, and even chat with friends during netplay sessions.

Highlights
  • Multi-platform support
  • Solo and multiplayer netplay
  • State save and load
  • Gamepad controller support
  • Voice and message chat during netplay
  • Controller skins and haptics
Features
Read full description

TinyEmulator - TinyEmulator is an emulator designed for playing classic retro games, with multi-platform supported. It supports both solo play and multiplayer netplay with friends. Additionally, it runs on multiple platforms and is continuously expanding its compatibility. Systems: - Nintendo Entertainment System - Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Game Boy - Game Boy (Color) - Game Boy Advance - Sega Master System - Sega Genesis/Mega Drive - Sega Game Gear - Arcade: PolyGame Master - Arcade: NeoGeo - Arcade: Capcom Play System - Arcade: Konami Features: - Netplay with multiplayers - State save&load supported - Gamepad controller supported - Controller skins - Haptics feedback supported - Voice talk while netplay - Messages while netplay - Share your rom to netplay parterners - System suite overlay controller - Keyboard mapping on mac

About

RetroPlay

Play classic games from GBA, SNES, N64, and more on your iPhone or iPad. This emulator offers smooth performance, customizable controls, and easy ROM import. Relive your favorite retro titles with enhanced audio and visual filters.

Highlights
  • Supports GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, N64, and more
  • Easy ROM import from Files and iCloud
  • Customizable on-screen controls
  • Unlimited save states and quick resume
  • Fast forward gameplay
  • Retro visual and audio filters
  • AirPlay support for big screen gaming
Features
Read full description

Play your favorite retro games on iPhone & iPad — anytime, anywhere. RetroPlay is the all-in-one emulator that brings the most iconic classic consoles back to life. Enjoy smooth performance, fast loading, customizable controls, and support for the most searched retro systems such as GBA, GBC, GB, NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and Atari Lynx. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering retro gaming for the first time, RetroPlay delivers the ultimate portable classic gaming experience. - Supported Game Consoles - RetroPlay supports a large collection of legendary retro systems: - Game Boy Advance (GBA) - Game Boy Color (GBC) - Game Boy (GB) - Atari Lynx (LYNX) - Sega Genesis / Mega Drive - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) - Super Nintendo (SNES) - Nintendo 64 (N64) More consoles are coming soon! - ROM Import Made Easy Import your legally obtained ROM files directly from Files, iCloud Drive, or any app supporting file sharing. Manage your library effortlessly with favorites and quick-access shortcuts. - Customizable On-Screen Controls Fully adjustable buttons & joystick placement Multiple controller skins inspired by classic handheld consoles Support for both portrait and landscape mode - Save States & Quick Resume Unlimited save slots per game Save & load your progress at any time Auto-save so you never lose your place - Fast Forward Speed up gameplay instantly with a single tap Perfect for RPG grinding, cutscenes, or replaying long sequences - Enhanced Audio & Retro Filters Authentic 8-bit and 16-bit audio settings Retro visual shaders (CRT, pixel filters, scanlines) for a nostalgic look - Big Screen Support AirPlay your gameplay to TV for a true console feel Connect external controllers for a home-console experience - Disclaimer RetroPlay is an independent app and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Sega, Atari, or any other console manufacturer. Please only use RetroPlay with legally obtained game files. ROMs are not included. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS RetroPlay offers two optional premium plans: Weekly Plan – $4.99 / week With 3 days free Trial Lifetime Plan - $29.99 Onetime Payment • Unlimited access to all emulator systems • Future console updates included Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime from your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lKqbRxUr_Q5F_JqPulTnFcKH25m3gLOZael5lOyk1lA/edit?usp=sharing Terms Of Use : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xHTxsR-gW6ChUCKaVbMa-ONJZANU60aXIFVGtjjjHNI/edit?usp=sharing

Screenshots

TinyEmulator4 screens
RetroPlay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TinyEmulator at 55% against RetroPlay's 0%. TinyEmulator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). RetroPlay's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (103 vs 14). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. RetroPlay sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. TinyEmulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RetroPlay holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RetroPlay has 103 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of TinyEmulator's written reviews are positive against 0% of RetroPlay's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TinyEmulator ships an update every 2 weeks, RetroPlay every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 17, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
TinyEmulator versus RetroPlay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTinyEmulatorRetroPlay
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (14 ratings)4.6 (103 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14103 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB101 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer兴海 刘Hamza El karmouni

Customer experience

TinyEmulator

All ratings14 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive54.5%
Neutral31.8%
Negative13.6%

RetroPlay

All ratings103 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

TinyEmulator

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

RetroPlay

Subscriptions2
  • RetroPlay Premium Access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • RetroPlay Premium Access$4.997 Days
One-time1
  • RetroPlay Premium Access$29.99

Questions

Is TinyEmulator free?
TinyEmulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RetroPlay free?
RetroPlay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TinyEmulator or RetroPlay?
RetroPlay is rated higher. TinyEmulator averages 3.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while RetroPlay averages 4.6 from 103 ratings.
Do TinyEmulator or RetroPlay have ads?
RetroPlay shows ads; TinyEmulator does not.
Which is updated more often, TinyEmulator or RetroPlay?
TinyEmulator ships an update every 2 weeks, and RetroPlay every 2 months. Most recently, TinyEmulator was updated on July 17, 2026 and RetroPlay on September 22, 2026.

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