Comparison

StarterSeeds vs OpenSol

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

Head to head
About

StarterSeeds

Consolidate all your iOS games into a single, easily navigable interface. Pin favorites, browse your entire library, and even view photos with controller support. This utility app aims to streamline your gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Unified game launching
  • Favorite game pinning
  • Full gamepad navigation
  • Customizable gamepad layouts
  • In-app photo gallery
  • Website importing
  • Custom background music
Features
Read full description

StarterSeeds is not affiliated with any of the products you see in the screenshots. They simply demonstrate the function of the app. Start and launch all your favourite iOS games from one place. Pin your favourites for easy access and scroll through your full library. You can also view your photo gallery in app if you want to do so with a controller. Just make sure you make it your "default launcher" by going to Settings > General > Game Controller > Controller Shortcuts and set StarterSeeds as your launcher instead of Apple Games. App Features: Gamepad & Controls - Full gamepad navigation, view-based and reliable - Pick your preferred gamepad layout - Shake things up with a random game picker - Polished focus visuals and a fallback focus ring for older systems Your Game Library - Launch all your favorite iOS games from one place - Pin favorites for quick access - Scroll through your complete library - Game tiles use a percentage-based corner radius and a subtle outline so they look great on any screen In App Browser - Choose wether an app should launch full screen or with UI mode - Full screen mode fully hands over control to the website for remote play - UI mode with classic control elements and a mouse cursor you can control with the gamepad Audio - Custom background music - UI sounds for tactile feedback Photos & Wallpapers - Browse your photo gallery inside the app - Set and delete wallpapers directly in Settings - Set your wallpaper via a Shortcut Import & Metadata - Import games from your device - Import websites - Remove ASO text from game names on import - Auto-refresh metadata with a toggle Shortcuts & Launcher - Launch StarterSeeds straight into a specific view - Make StarterSeeds your default game launcher via Settings > General > Game Controller > Controller Shortcuts System - Global menu actions for iPad and Mac Catalyst - In-app legal info

About

OpenSol

Experience a classic 8080 computer emulator inspired by the Sol-20 Terminal Computer. Interact with original firmware, customize display effects, and enjoy an immersive terminal experience. This independently developed app offers a unique retro computing simulation.

Highlights
  • Intel 8080 interpreter
  • Original OpenSol firmware
  • Sol Command Monitor
  • Customizable display effects (CRT, phosphor)
  • Full-screen immersive mode
  • External keyboard and controller support
  • Virtual cassette tools
Features
Read full description

OpenSol is an independently developed Intel 8080 computer emulator inspired by the Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer. Explore a 64-by-16 character display, type directly into the original OpenSol firmware, and use the built-in Sol Command Monitor. Choose white, green, amber, or red phosphor; switch between a sharp flat display and period-inspired CRT effects; and use full-screen mode for an immersive terminal experience. OpenSol includes: • A complete independently written Intel 8080 interpreter • Original OpenSol firmware and Sol Command Monitor • iPhone, iPad, and Mac interfaces • Direct typing, touch input, external keyboards, and compatible game controllers • User-selected ENT and raw-binary file import • Private on-device Recent Programs and session restoration • Experimental virtual cassette and USB-audio cassette tools OpenSol includes no SOLOS ROM, vintage applications, download catalog, advertising, analytics, tracking, accounts, or network service. Users provide their own lawfully obtained compatible files. OpenSol is not affiliated with or endorsed by Processor Technology Corporation or any successor rights holder. Historical product names are used only to describe compatibility and historical context.

Screenshots

StarterSeeds4 screens
OpenSol3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenSol at none against StarterSeeds's 1. OpenSol also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. StarterSeeds sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenSol asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OpenSol holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 5 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StarterSeeds ships an update every 2 weeks, OpenSol every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
StarterSeeds versus OpenSol: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarterSeedsOpenSol
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings45 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDennis AtkinsJordan Ruderman

Customer experience

StarterSeeds

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

OpenSol

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

StarterSeeds

One-time1
  • StarterSeeds Pro (Lifetime)$2.99
None

OpenSol

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StarterSeeds free?
StarterSeeds is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenSol free?
OpenSol is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, StarterSeeds or OpenSol?
OpenSol is rated higher. StarterSeeds averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while OpenSol averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do StarterSeeds or OpenSol have ads?
Neither StarterSeeds nor OpenSol shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StarterSeeds or OpenSol?
StarterSeeds ships an update every 2 weeks, and OpenSol every 8 days. Most recently, StarterSeeds was updated on November 9, 2026 and OpenSol on October 31, 2026.

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