Comparison

Retro Cloud Player vs PixelDock

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

Head to head
About

Retro Cloud Player

Play classic games on your Apple devices with this emulator. It utilizes iCloud for ROM storage and requires a companion app for collection management. A gamepad or keyboard is necessary for gameplay.

Highlights
  • Legacy gaming emulation
  • iCloud ROM storage
  • Libretro cores integration
  • Companion app for ROM management
  • Gamepad/keyboard support
Features
Read full description

The Retro Cloud Player is an emulator for legacy gaming systems. The ROMs are stored in iCloud. The Retro Cloud Companion app is needed in order to manage your collection of ROMs. A gamepad or keyboard is also required. This emulator include cores from the Libretro project.

About

PixelDock

This app consolidates numerous classic game consoles and computers into a single application. It features automatic cover art, quick save states, and organized game libraries. Premium features include cloud sync and social functionalities.

Highlights
  • Multi-console support
  • Automatic cover art
  • Quick save/load states
  • Bluetooth/MFi controller support
  • Wi-Fi file transfer
  • Cloud save synchronization (premium)
  • Social chat and voice calls (premium)
Features
Read full description

PixelDock brings together dozens of classic consoles and computers in one app, with a visual library, automatic cover art, quick save states and effortless organization. SUPPORTED SYSTEMS • Nintendo: NES, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Virtual Boy • Sega: Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, Mega-CD, 32X, Saturn, Dreamcast, NAOMI, Atomiswave • Sony: PlayStation, PSP • Atari: 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx, Jaguar, 8-bit line, ST • SNK Neo Geo and Neo Geo Pocket Color • NEC: PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine CD, PC-FX, PC-98 • Commodore 64, 128, VIC-20 and Amiga • Classic computers: ZX Spectrum, ZX81, MSX/MSX2, Amstrad CPC, Sharp X68000, Apple II, Macintosh, Thomson TO7/TO8 • Arcade and more: Vectrex, WonderSwan, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Panasonic 3DO, Pokémon Mini, Odyssey² • MS-DOS and classic adventure engines via ScummVM (SCUMM, SCI, AGI), plus Doom and Quake LIBRARY & GAMEPLAY • Automatic cover art for your whole collection, sorted by system • Fast save/load states with visual thumbnails for every save • Bluetooth/MFi controller support and external display via AirPlay or cable • Wi-Fi upload portal: transfer your own files from a computer, no cables or iTunes needed CLOUD & FRIENDS (premium) • Sync your save states across all your devices • Add friends with a unique nickname, chat, make voice calls, and send games or save states directly SUBSCRIPTION PixelDock Premium unlocks cloud save sync, the full social features and cover art for your entire library (the free tier shows cover art for your first 5 games). Available monthly and yearly with a 7-day free trial, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. • Monthly: $3.99/month • Yearly: $24.99/year • Lifetime: $44.99 one-time payment (not a subscription) Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account upon confirming purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your device Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when a paid subscription is purchased. LEGAL LINKS EULA (Terms of Use): https://emulator.it-systems.es/terms.php Privacy Policy: https://emulator.it-systems.es/privacy.php IMPORTANT NOTICE PixelDock does not include or distribute any games, BIOS files or copyrighted content. You must only use software copies you legally own. The app includes open-source emulation components; you can review all licenses from Settings.

Screenshots

Retro Cloud Player1 screens
PixelDock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Retro Cloud Player at 5.0 against PixelDock's 3.0. Retro Cloud Player also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). PixelDock's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, ads, 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. PixelDock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Retro Cloud Player asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retro Cloud Player holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Retro Cloud Player versus PixelDock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro Cloud PlayerPixelDock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB429 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJulien EyrièsJose Antonio Salinas Garcia

Customer experience

Retro Cloud Player

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PixelDock

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Retro Cloud Player

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

PixelDock

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Retro Cloud Player free?
Retro Cloud Player is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PixelDock free?
PixelDock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Retro Cloud Player or PixelDock?
Retro Cloud Player is rated higher. Retro Cloud Player averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while PixelDock averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Retro Cloud Player or PixelDock have ads?
Neither Retro Cloud Player nor PixelDock shows ads.

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