# RetroPlay vs JarBox

The clearest difference is review sentiment: JarBox at 100% against RetroPlay's 0%. JarBox also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). RetroPlay's advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (4.5 vs 3.0).

RetroPlay is free to download; JarBox costs $0.99 up front. RetroPlay sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. JarBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

RetroPlay holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RetroPlay has 149 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of RetroPlay's written reviews are positive against 100% of JarBox's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

RetroPlay ships an update every 2 months, JarBox every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RetroPlay | JarBox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (149 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retroplay-console-emulator/id6755721950/reviews)** | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jarbox/id6761082690/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **149** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Size | 101 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hamza El karmouni](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642379528) | [Aleksandr Goremykin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1887704509) |

## What reviewers say

### RetroPlay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retroplay-console-emulator/id6755721950)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RetroPlay Premium Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| RetroPlay Premium Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| RetroPlay Premium Access | $29.99 | one-time |


### JarBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jarbox/id6761082690)

Relive classic mobile gaming on your iPhone. This app emulates J2ME games, allowing you to load and play your favorite .jar files from the past. Experience faithful 2D and 3D graphics with full sound support.

**Highlights:** Run J2ME games via .jar files, Hardware-accelerated 3D support, Pixel-perfect 2D rendering, WAV, MP3, MIDI sound playback, Supports various vendor extensions

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RetroPlay free?

RetroPlay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is JarBox free?

JarBox costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RetroPlay or JarBox?

RetroPlay is rated higher. RetroPlay averages 4.5 out of 5 from 149 ratings, while JarBox averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do RetroPlay or JarBox have ads?

RetroPlay shows ads; JarBox does not.

### Which is updated more often, RetroPlay or JarBox?

RetroPlay ships an update every 2 months, and JarBox every 4 days. Most recently, RetroPlay was updated on October 30, 2026 and JarBox on October 31, 2026.

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