Comparison

KernelPath vs Opcodes

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

Head to head
About

KernelPath

Features
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KernelPath is a comprehensive, interactive course on operating system kernels — built entirely for iPad and iPhone. GO FROM ZERO TO KERNEL FLUENT Work through 7 structured modules covering the full Linux kernel stack: architecture, processes, memory, file systems, networking, security, and device drivers. Each lesson combines clear explanations with real C code examples, diagrams, and practical command-line usage. LEARN BY DOING 14 interactive labs let you visualize concepts that textbooks struggle to explain: - Step through the boot sequence from BIOS to login - Watch the CFS scheduler assign CPU time to competing processes - Walk a page table translation from virtual to physical address - Trace a system call from user space into the kernel - Animate a TCP three-way handshake in real time - Build and test seccomp filters on system calls - Follow a read() call from application through the driver stack to hardware PRACTICE IN A REAL TERMINAL A built-in Linux terminal simulator gives you a virtual machine to explore. Navigate a realistic filesystem with /proc, /sys, /dev, and /etc. Run 50+ real commands — ls, ps aux, free -h, ip addr, cat /proc/cpuinfo, lsmod, and many more — all producing authentic Linux output. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Each module ends with a quiz. Detailed explanations for every answer reinforce what you learned and fill in gaps. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS A personal dashboard shows completed lessons, quiz scores, and module-by-module progress so you always know where you left off. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - Kernel architectures: monolithic, microkernel, and hybrid designs - Process lifecycle: fork(), exec(), scheduling, IPC, and signals - Virtual memory: page tables, the MMU, allocation, and swap - File systems: VFS, ext4 internals, inodes, and permissions - Networking: TCP/IP stack, packet encapsulation, sockets, and netfilter - Security: DAC, capabilities, SELinux, AppArmor, and seccomp - Device drivers: character and block devices, udev, and driver architecture BUILT FOR LEARNERS No prior kernel experience required. Start from "What is a Kernel?" and build up to writing device drivers and configuring seccomp filters. Perfect for computer science students, self-taught developers, SREs, and anyone who wants to understand what happens beneath the surface of every application.

About

Opcodes

This app provides a comprehensive reference for retro CPU opcodes, including detailed descriptions, assembly examples, and historical context. It covers eighteen iconic processors and offers features like search, sorting, and filtering for easy exploration of historical computing information.

Highlights
  • Opcode reference for 18 iconic processors
  • Detailed instruction descriptions
  • Hex, octal, decimal values
  • Flags affected, addressing modes, cycle counts
  • Assembly code examples
  • CPU history and pinout diagrams
  • Simple assembler/disassembler
Features
Read full description

Opcodes – The Retro CPU Reference The definitive opcode reference for the legendary processors that launched the personal computer revolution. Whether you're a retrocomputing enthusiast, a student of computer history, writing code for classic hardware, or just a big old nerd - the Opcodes app gives you everything you need. Eighteen iconic processors covered: Intel 4004 · Intel 8008 · Intel 8080 · Intel 8085 · Intel 8088 · Zilog Z80 · Motorola 6800 · Intel 8085 · Motorola 6809 · MOS 6502 · Signetics 2650 · RCA 1802 - SC/MP · Motorola 68000 · Intel 8086 · WDC 65816 · Texas Instruments TMS9900 · INMOS Transputer · ARM2 For every opcode:  • Full description of what the instruction does. • Hex, octal, and decimal values. • Flags affected. • Addressing modes and cycle counts. • Assembly code examples - including loops, conditionals, and common patterns. More than just opcodes:  • CPU history and historical context. • IC pinout diagrams. • Notable systems that used each CPU, with memory maps and other background information. • Chip variants and successors. • A silly card game(!) • Simple assembler / disassembler for many CPUs. Built for exploration:  • Search for opcodes by name or category. • Sort by mnemonic, opcode byte, or category. • Filter by category, Quick Find with a colorful map. • Undocumented instructions clearly marked and optionally displayed. More than microprocessors:  • Information on key support chips: video, sound, memory and more. Cool design:  • Clean, readable layout optimised for quick reference. • Multiple colour themes. • Full "dark mode" support. Everything is included with absolutely no in-app purchase required. Recent additions: • Quiz game - test your CPU knowledge! • Share CPU cards - beautiful shareable images showing specs and history for any processor • External references - curated links to community resources for all 18 CPUs • "Opcodes display first" setting - choose whether selecting a CPU shows opcodes or info first • Chip-maker colour themes - Zilog, MOS Tech, and Motorola replace the old themes • Enhanced 6502 docs - JMP page boundary bug, BRK behaviour, and Read-Modify-Write quirks • Fixed Scratchpad hang when switching tabs

Screenshots

KernelPath4 screens
Opcodes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KernelPath at none against Opcodes's 1. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Opcodes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KernelPath asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
KernelPath versus Opcodes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKernelPathOpcodes
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequency—Every 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavide FiorinoJohn Kennedy

In-app purchases

None

KernelPath

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Opcodes

One-time1
  • Buy Me a Coffee$0.99

Questions

Is KernelPath free?
KernelPath is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Opcodes free?
Opcodes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do KernelPath or Opcodes have ads?
Neither KernelPath nor Opcodes shows ads.

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