Dolphin Emulator vs CloudGear
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dolphin Emulator
Relive classic gaming with this emulator. Easily import ROMs, play in portrait or landscape, and save progress. Customize your sound and enjoy a seamless retro gaming experience.
- Import game ROMs
- Portrait and landscape modes
- Save and restore progress
- Adjust sound effects
- Ad-free premium option
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Dolphin Emulator - Basic is your gateway to reliving the golden era of gaming. Whether you're diving back into childhood favorites or exploring retro classics for the first time, this game emulator makes it easy to enjoy the games you love. How to use: • Import game ROM files easily and start playing instantly • Run games in both portrait and landscape modes for flexible gameplay • Save and restore game progress anytime for a seamless experience • Adjust sound effects to customize your gaming atmosphere Currently supported game types: (NES) Other information: It's important to note that Dolphin Emulator - Basic should only be used with legally acquired game files. We do not endorse or support any form of piracy. Rest assured, Dolphin Emulator - Basic operates independently and has no affiliation with console manufacturers. The mention of related game console names in this statement is only used to describe the environment supported by the retro game emulator application. With Dolphin Emulator - Basic Premium you can unlock the ultimate experience: • Remove Ads: Enjoy an uninterrupted, ad-free journey to inspiration. • Unlock All Features: Get full access to every feature Unlock your gaming emulating potential—elevate your retro gaming experience with Dolphin Emulator - Basic Premium! Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/dolphin-game-emulator/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/dolphin-game-emulator/terms-of-use
CloudGear
This app enhances cloud gaming by delivering high-resolution, high-frame-rate streaming with advanced codec support and low latency. It transforms your mobile device into a portable gaming rig, supporting external displays, controllers, and desktop-class input.
- Stream in 5K, 120 FPS, and HDR
- Low-latency custom rendering engine
- Connect to external displays and AR glasses
- Desktop-class mouse and keyboard control
- Controller vibration support
- Universal controller compatibility
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CloudGear is the browser designed for gamers - custom-engineered to deliver the speed, visuals, and control that other browsers can't. Stream from GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, Boosteroid, or any browser-based game with performance and immersion mobile gaming has never had. Plug into a TV, monitor, or AR glasses and your iPhone or iPad becomes a portable gaming rig. No console required. UNCOMPROMISED PERFORMANCE - High-Resolution Gaming: Stream at up to 5K video on supported platforms. - Smooth Frame Rates: Up to 120fps for fast, responsive gameplay - plus frame pacing that helps to eliminate stutter. - Advanced Codec Support: H.265 and AV1 for efficient streaming at maximum quality. - Low-Latency Streaming: A custom rendering engine built for speed. Frames display sooner and gameplay feels closer to native. YOUR GAME, ANY SCREEN - External Display & AR Glasses: Connect to a TV, monitor, or AR glasses like XREAL, Rokid, VITURE, or RayNeo via USB-C or HDMI. CloudGear outputs at native resolution with no black bars, turning your iOS device into a portable gaming rig you can plug in and play anywhere. - Apple TV Companion: Pair your iPhone or iPad with the CloudGear app for Apple TV and hand games off to the big screen. - HDR & 10-Bit Color: High dynamic range and rich color depth bring games to life the way developers intended. - Configurable Video Sizing: Zoom, stretch, or manually position the stream to fill every inch of your display. - Spatial Audio & Surround Sound: Support for 7.1 channel surround sound and spatial audio. DESKTOP-CLASS GAMING CONTROLS - True Mouse Pointer & Keyboard Lock: Get the precision you need with mouse pointer lock that makes your mobile experience feel like playing on desktop. - Steam Controller: First-class Valve Steam Controller support - use its trackpad as a mouse, with full control remapping for keyboard-and-mouse only games. - Controller Vibration: Full rumble for any connected controller. For controllers without motors, vibration routes through your iPhone's Taptic Engine. - Virtual Mouse: No mouse or controller? Control a virtual pointer using touch gestures alone. - Universal Compatibility: Works with any iOS-supported Bluetooth or USB-C controller, plus external keyboards and mice. QUICK LAUNCH & WIDGETS - Quick Launch Bookmarks: Bookmark individual games and launch them with a single tap - no menus, no browsing. - Home Screen Widget: Add any game to your iOS Home Screen as a widget for instant access. - iCloud Sync: All bookmarks sync automatically across your devices via iCloud. CloudGear works with major cloud gaming services and enables the best experience for each: - GeForce Now: Up to 5K @ 120fps, H.265 & AV1 codec, HDR, 10-bit color, 7.1 surround sound - Boosteroid: Up to 4K @ 120fps, AV1 codec, HDR, custom resolution selection - Xbox Cloud Gaming: Up to 1440p video, built-in Better xCloud script manager for higher bitrate, improved input, and more - Amazon Luna: Up to 1080p @ 60fps, max resolution and bitrate unlocked even on iPhone - OnePlay: Up to 4K @ 120fps - HTML5 Gaming Sites: Full controller support, mouse pointer lock, and keyboard lock for browser-based games Actual streaming quality depends on each service's capabilities and your account tier. CloudGear enables the maximum quality available. Please note: CloudGear is a premium utility. A subscription or one-off lifetime purchase is required to access the browser and all features. A 7-day free trial is available for new subscribers. Disclaimer: CloudGear is an independent application and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by GeForce Now, Boosteroid, Amazon Luna, OnePlay or Xbox. It is simply compatible with these third-party services in its capacity as a general web browser. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.cloudgear.app/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CloudGear at 88% against Dolphin Emulator's 19%. CloudGear also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.3) and ratings volume (472 vs 87). Dolphin Emulator's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Dolphin Emulator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and CloudGear sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
CloudGear holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CloudGear has 472 ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 19% of Dolphin Emulator's written reviews are positive against 88% of CloudGear's.
| Parameter | Dolphin Emulator | CloudGear |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.3 (87 ratings) | 4.8 (472 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 18.9% of reviews | 87.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 87 | 472 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Irene Klein | Bitwise Solutions Limited |
Customer experience
Dolphin Emulator
CloudGear
Bugs and requests
Dolphin Emulator
Reported bugs
2 issues- NES games not loading properly
- Redirecting to premium version when trying to open NES files
Requested features
3 requests- Add support for GameCube and Wii games
- Add support for Sega Genesis
- Add support for PlayStation games
CloudGear
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Dolphin Emulator
- Monthly Premium Subscription$2.991 Month
CloudGear
- Full Unlock - 1 Month$1.991 Month
- Full Unlock - 1 Year7 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Full Unlock - Lifetime$39.99
Questions
Is Dolphin Emulator free?
Is CloudGear free?
Which has better reviews, Dolphin Emulator or CloudGear?
Do Dolphin Emulator or CloudGear have ads?
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