# Pocket8 vs Arcade95

The clearest difference is ads: Pocket8 at none against Arcade95's shown. Pocket8 also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 4 days) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Arcade95's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 67%). On price, rating, ratings volume 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Pocket8 against 4.5 for Arcade95. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 24 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Pocket8's written reviews are positive against 78% of Arcade95's.

Pocket8 ships an update daily, Arcade95 every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pocket8 | Arcade95 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket8/id6758171942/reviews)** | [4.5 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcade95-retro-windows-games/id6761884809/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **40** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **77.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 4 days |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 24 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Jevon Lipsey](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864554839) | [heewook shin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1516827497) |

## What reviewers say

### Pocket8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket8/id6758171942)

This app brings the PICO-8 fantasy console experience to your mobile device, offering access to thousands of community-made games. Enjoy customizable touch controls or gamepad support, and never lose progress with an instant save system.

**Highlights:** Browse and play community-made PICO-8 games, Customizable touch controls and gamepad support, Instant save states for unlimited progress saving, Portrait and landscape orientation support, Locked 60FPS gameplay

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Arcade95

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcade95-retro-windows-games/id6761884809)

Relive classic PC experiences with a retro desktop simulation. Play iconic games like Solitaire and Pinball, use familiar apps like Paint and Notepad, and explore seven different desktop eras. Customize your experience with cosmetic rewards and enjoy a nostalgic journey.

**Highlights:** Classic Windows desktop simulation, Play Solitaire, Pinball, Minesweeper, and more, Utilize retro apps like Paint and Notepad, Explore seven different desktop eras (95, 98, XP, etc.), Customizable desktop with cosmetic rewards, Game Center leaderboards and turn-based matches, 12 retro screensavers

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pocket8 free?

Pocket8 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Arcade95 free?

Arcade95 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pocket8 or Arcade95?

Pocket8 is rated higher. Pocket8 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Arcade95 averages 4.5 from 24 ratings.

### Do Pocket8 or Arcade95 have ads?

Arcade95 shows ads; Pocket8 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pocket8 or Arcade95?

Pocket8 ships an update daily, and Arcade95 every 4 days. Most recently, Pocket8 was updated on October 31, 2026 and Arcade95 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.*