Comparison

Z80CPM vs ShareByLight File Transfer

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

Head to head
About

Z80CPM

Experience the classic CP/M operating system on your iOS or Mac device with a full Z80 processor emulator. Run authentic CP/M software, including operating systems, word processors, programming languages, and text adventures. Works offline with support for multiple disk images.

Highlights
  • Full Z80 emulation
  • VT100 terminal support
  • Multiple disk image mounting
  • Offline functionality
  • Native Mac support
  • Downloadable CP/M disk images
Features
Read full description

RomWBW CP/M brings the classic CP/M operating system to your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a full Z80 processor emulator. FEATURES • Full Z80 Emulation - Accurate instruction emulation runs authentic CP/M software • VT100 Terminal - ANSI escape sequence support for text adventures and productivity apps • Multiple Disk Support - Mount up to 4 disk images simultaneously • Download Disk Images - Fetch CP/M disk images directly from the RomWBW project • Works Offline - Downloaded disk images are stored locally • Native Mac Support - Runs natively on macOS via Mac Catalyst CLASSIC SOFTWARE Run the software that defined personal computing: • Operating Systems: CP/M 2.2, CP/M 3, ZSDOS, NZCOM, ZPM3 • Word Processing: WordStar • Programming: Turbo Pascal, Microsoft BASIC • Text Adventures: Zork, Adventure, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy • Databases: dBASE II • And thousands more CP/M programs GETTING STARTED 1. Open Settings and download a disk image (CP/M 2.2 recommended) 2. Select the disk image for Unit 0 3. Press Play to start the emulator 4. Press 0 at the boot menu to boot from disk BUILT ON ROMWBW This emulator is built on the RomWBW HBIOS platform, the same firmware used by real retro Z80 hardware projects. Disk images are downloaded from the official RomWBW project and include freely distributable CP/M software. TECHNICAL DETAILS • 80x25 character terminal display • hd1k disk format (8MB per slice, 64MB per disk) • Hardware keyboard support • Portrait and landscape orientation Perfect for retrocomputing enthusiasts, computer history education, or anyone who wants to experience the operating system that launched the personal computer revolution.

About

ShareByLight File Transfer

Features
Read full description

ShareByLight moves files from one device to another using only the screen and camera. What it’s for • Pass a file when you don’t want (or can’t use) Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, between air gapped devices • Share between iPhone, iPad, and Mac without a network • Keep the transfer offline and local to the devices in front of you How it works 1. On one device, choose a file and start the stream 2. On the other device, open Receive and point the camera at the screen 3. When the transfer finishes, save the file Features • Send and receive on the same app • Works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac • Optional password protection for the file • Clear progress while the transfer runs • Free: one direction and small files • Pro: both directions and larger files Tips for a smooth transfer • Max brightness on the sending screen • Hold steady and fill the frame • Reduce glare and strong backlight No account required. No cloud. Data moves as light between the devices you choose.

Screenshots

Z80CPM1 screens
ShareByLight File Transfer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Z80CPM at none against ShareByLight File Transfer's 1. Z80CPM also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence and ads 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. ShareByLight File Transfer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Z80CPM asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Z80CPM ships an update every 10 days, ShareByLight File Transfer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Z80CPM versus ShareByLight File Transfer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZ80CPMShareByLight File Transfer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAaron WohlDragos Roua

In-app purchases

None

Z80CPM

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ShareByLight File Transfer

One-time1
  • ShareByLight Pro$5.99

Questions

Is Z80CPM free?
Z80CPM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShareByLight File Transfer free?
ShareByLight File Transfer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Z80CPM or ShareByLight File Transfer have ads?
Neither Z80CPM nor ShareByLight File Transfer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Z80CPM or ShareByLight File Transfer?
Z80CPM ships an update every 10 days, and ShareByLight File Transfer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Z80CPM was updated on October 5, 2026 and ShareByLight File Transfer on October 10, 2026.

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