Comparison

Manic EMU vs TierMaker.com

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

Head to head
About

Manic EMU

This app is a comprehensive emulator for a vast array of classic gaming consoles, allowing you to relive your favorite retro titles. It offers advanced features like save states, speed control, and visual filters, with cloud sync and controller support for a seamless experience.

Highlights
  • Supports 30+ classic gaming platforms
  • RetroAchievements integration
  • Unlimited manual and auto-save slots
  • 5x game speed boost
  • Cheat code library
  • Customizable visual filters and skins
  • iCloud and cloud storage sync
Features
Read full description

Manic EMU is an all-in-one retro emulator for iPhone and iPad. Console, handheld, arcade, computer, and mobile classics live in one library. The app does not include games, BIOS, or game data. Use only legally owned backups, homebrew, or public-domain software. Supported Platforms Nintendo - Nintendo 3DS (3DS) - Nintendo GameCube (NGC) - Nintendo Wii (Wii) - Nintendo 64 (N64) - Nintendo DS (NDS) - Game Boy Advance (GBA) - Game Boy Color (GBC) - Game Boy (GB) - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) - Famicom Disk System (FDS) - Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) - Virtual Boy (VB) - Pokemon Mini (PM) Sony - PlayStation (PS1) - PlayStation Portable (PSP) Sega - Dreamcast (DC) - Sega Saturn (SS) - Sega Master System (MS) - Game Gear (GG) - SG-1000 (SG) - Sega Genesis 32X (32X) - Sega CD / Mega-CD (MCD) - Sega Genesis / Mega Drive (MD) NEC - PC Engine (PCE) - TurboGrafx-16 (TG-16) - TurboGrafx-CD (TG-CD) - SuperGrafx (SGX) SNK - Neo Geo Pocket (NGP) - Neo Geo Pocket Color (NGPC) Atari - Atari 2600 - Atari 5200 - Atari 7800 - Atari Jaguar - Atari Lynx Commodore - Commodore 64 (C64) - Amiga Other - Arcade - DOOM - MS-DOS - Java ME (J2ME) - Symbian - WonderSwan - Flash More systems are planned. [RetroAchievements] - Challenge players worldwide and light up trophies that are yours - Multiset: grind multiple sets on one game — earn subset trophies without patching - Hardcore Mode: tougher rules, trophies that actually count [Save States, Your Way] - Unlimited manual save states plus 50 auto slots - Save Manager: browse by time, compare, and restore in one tap [Speed, Cheats & Shortcuts] - 5x fast forward — you set the pace - Cheats on demand from an online library - Custom shortcuts for save, speed, and screenshots [Filters, Skins & Screenshots] - Retro filters from our exclusive library - Skins that feel like real hardware, third-party skins welcome, flex layouts that fit your hands - Screenshots for the highlight reel [Landscape Library] - Landscape console mode — library, covers, and shortcuts on one screen - Background music and navigation sounds — browsing feels like an arcade - Browse with a controller or keyboard — stay on the couch [Play Together] - Local multiplayer whenever you want - Eligible cores can host rooms, scan LAN, connect over relay, and spectate [iCloud Sync — Your Game Universe] - Games, saves, and settings stay in sync across your devices - Encrypted cloud backup — switch devices with zero progress lost - Start on iPad, pick up on iPhone. Play anywhere — your games never pause [Cloud Import in One Step] - Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Baidu Cloud, Aliyun - WebDAV and SMB too — bring the whole library over in one go [Controllers Your Way] - Native Joy-Con, DualShock, and Xbox support - Bluetooth controllers and keyboards — play on Mac too - Multiple controllers at once, solo or a full party [AirPlay — Living Room Ready] - AirPlay to a TV or display - Phone to TV without a hitch — couch nights and hangouts - Big screen plus a controller — immersion maxed out Premium A free download includes core play features. Manic EMU Premium (monthly, yearly, or lifetime) unlocks higher fast-forward speeds, more save states and cheat slots, extra controller players, and other play features. Prices are shown in the app. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The renewal charge is applied within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you subscribe. Refunds follow Apple policy. Privacy Policy: https://manicemu.site/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://manicemu.site/terms-of-use Official Site: https://manicemu.site Support: support@manicemu.site Legal Manic EMU is not affiliated with Apple or any game or console manufacturer. Platform names describe supported environments only.

About

TierMaker.com

Create and share custom tier lists with millions of available templates. Enjoy an ad-free experience with higher quality downloads and an improved mobile layout for faster creation. A free version is available on the website.

Highlights
  • Create custom tier lists
  • Millions of templates available
  • Ad-free experience
  • High-quality downloads
  • Improved mobile layout
  • Share tier lists
Features
Read full description

The TierMaker app is ad-free. Using it beyond the free trial period requires a subscription or lifetime purchase. You can continue to use the desktop/mobile TierMaker website for free. The official TierMaker app is here. Upgrade your TierMaking experience. No ads. Higher quality downloads without the TierMaker logo on them. Improved mobile layout for quicker tier list creation. Millions of templates already available. TierMaker has no affiliation with any of the logos, brands, or celebrities seen within the app or website. TierMaker uses images under the principles of fair use (17 U.S. Code § 107) as transformative content for commentary, criticism, and personal expression. Terms of use: https://tiermaker.com/guidelines/terms-of-use/ User license agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Manic EMU4 screens
TierMaker.com4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Manic EMU at 73% against TierMaker.com's 8%. Manic EMU also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (15K vs 1.6K). TierMaker.com's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Manic EMU sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and TierMaker.com sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Manic EMU holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Manic EMU has 15K ratings behind it against 1.6K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Manic EMU's written reviews are positive against 8% of TierMaker.com's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Manic EMU ships an update fortnightly, TierMaker.com weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Manic EMU versus TierMaker.com: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManic EMUTierMaker.com
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (15K ratings) — better4.2 (1.6K ratings)
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews — better7.9% of reviews
Number of ratings15K — better1.6K
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFreemium — better
Best chart rank#203 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size551 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShenzhen Aoshuang Future Technology Co., LtdTastier Adventures

Customer experience

Manic EMU

All ratings15,237 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral2.8%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews3,014 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral10.7%
Negative15.9%

TierMaker.com

All ratings1,608 ratings
Positive79.7%
Neutral2.8%
Negative17.5%
Written reviews365 reviews
Positive7.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative89.9%

User reviews

Manic EMU

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Runs well on devices
  • 👍 Great emulator overall
  • 🚀 Smooth performance
  • 👍 Intuitive controls

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Lag and performance issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems
  • 🐛 Audio issues

TierMaker.com

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Amazing app
  • 👍 Best version
  • 👍 Fun
  • 👍 Great app

Room to improve

  • 💰 Forces subscription
  • 💰 Money hungry
  • 💰 Basically useless without subscription

Bugs and requests

Manic EMU

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Certain games crash or don't work
  • Issues with importing and loading ROMs
  • Screen scaling and optimization problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow sharing save states from other emulators
  • Add more 3DS settings and options
  • Improve support for 3DS features like the keyboard
  • Add ability to hide touch screen controls when using a controller

TierMaker.com

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Subscription issue prevents usage

Requested features

1 request
  • Dark mode option

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Manic EMU

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Annual Plan7 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Forever Access$9.99
3 purchases

TierMaker.com

Subscriptions2
  • TierMaker Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • TierMaker Pro Annual7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • TierMaker Pro Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Manic EMU free?
Manic EMU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TierMaker.com free?
TierMaker.com is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Manic EMU or TierMaker.com?
Manic EMU is rated higher. Manic EMU averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while TierMaker.com averages 4.2 from 1.6K ratings.
Do Manic EMU or TierMaker.com have ads?
Neither Manic EMU nor TierMaker.com shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Manic EMU or TierMaker.com?
Manic EMU ships an update fortnightly, and TierMaker.com weekly. Most recently, Manic EMU was updated on September 25, 2026 and TierMaker.com on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons