# Classic Handheld vs Arcade Vault

The clearest difference is device support: Arcade Vault at 3 against Classic Handheld's 1. Arcade Vault also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Classic Handheld ships an update every 2 months, Arcade Vault monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Classic Handheld | Arcade Vault |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-handheld/id6751406919/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 76 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladyslav Manoilo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1754253856) | [Will Low](https://appshunter.io/developer/1875736538) |

## What reviewers say

### Classic Handheld

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-handheld/id6751406919)

Transform your iPhone into a retro handheld device for playing your own game files. Enjoy a nostalgic interface with custom controls and easy library management for a focused gaming experience.

**Highlights:** Custom handheld-style home screen, Easy file import, Support for multiple retro platforms, Platform-specific on-screen controls, Save and load game states, Fast-forward mode, Library search

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Arcade Vault

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcade-vault/id6759348701)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Classic Handheld free?

Classic Handheld is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Arcade Vault free?

Arcade Vault is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Classic Handheld or Arcade Vault have ads?

Neither Classic Handheld nor Arcade Vault shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Classic Handheld or Arcade Vault?

Classic Handheld ships an update every 2 months, and Arcade Vault monthly. Most recently, Classic Handheld was updated on October 24, 2026 and Arcade Vault on October 18, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*