TinyEmulator vs RetroPlay
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Multi-platform support
- Solo and multiplayer netplay
- State save and load
- Gamepad controller support
- Voice and message chat during netplay
- Controller skins and haptics
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | TinyEmulator | RetroPlay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (14 ratings) | 4.6 (103 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 | 103 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 101 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 兴海 刘 | Hamza El karmouni |
Customer experience
TinyEmulator
RetroPlay
In-app purchases
TinyEmulator
No in-app purchases
RetroPlay
- RetroPlay Premium Access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- RetroPlay Premium Access$4.997 Days
- RetroPlay Premium Access$29.99









