Comparison

EmuTribe vs GBDev

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

Head to head
About

EmuTribe

Organize and play your legally obtained retro game collection on your iPhone or iPad. Customize controls, use save states, apply visual filters, and enjoy 2-player NetPlay. Cloud sync keeps your progress safe.

Highlights
  • Visual game library organization
  • Customizable touch controls
  • Physical controller support
  • Save states and fast-forward
  • Visual filters (HD, CRT, LCD)
  • 2-player LAN NetPlay
  • Optional cloud sync
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a modern home for your legally obtained retro game collection. EmuTribe brings your own game files together in a clean visual library with customizable controls, save states, visual filters, cloud sync, and 2-player LAN NetPlay. YOUR LIBRARY, YOUR WAY • Organize your own game files in one beautiful library. • Find recent titles, revisit favorites, and continue where you left off. • Games, ROMs, and BIOS files are not included. PLAY THE WAY YOU LIKE • Customize touch controls, button positions, and transparency. • Use compatible physical controllers. • Save and resume at any time with save states. • Use fast-forward and cheats when supported. • Choose HD, CRT, or LCD visual filters. PLAY TOGETHER Create a LAN NetPlay room for two players on the same Wi-Fi network when the game and system are compatible. Network quality, device performance, and host stability can affect the session. KEEP YOUR PROGRESS Optional cloud sync keeps compatible saves, save states, and settings available through your EmuTribe account. SUPPORTED SYSTEMS EmuTribe supports a range of classic systems, from 8-bit and 16-bit consoles to later handheld and 3D platforms. Compatibility depends on the selected core, game, settings, and device. More demanding systems may require newer hardware. FREE TO START Core features are available for free. Optional Standard and Plus subscriptions remove ads and unlock additional features such as extra save-state slots, premium filters, cheats, and cloud sync. IMPORTANT EmuTribe does not provide, sell, download, or distribute games, ROMs, BIOS files, or copyrighted content. Import only files you have the legal right to use. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. EmuTribe is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by console manufacturers or game publishers. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://emutribe.com/privacy

About

GBDev

Play your favorite Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on your iPhone with this emulator. It features a beautiful game library, responsive on-screen controls, and customizable palettes and themes for a comfortable gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Game Boy & Game Boy Color ROM support
  • Personalized game library with box art
  • Save states for instant progress capture
  • Customizable on-screen controls
  • Adjustable game palettes and app themes
  • Integrated cheat engine
Features
Read full description

GBDev is a fast multi emulator with an immersive feel and lots of good ways to customize your emulation experience. Emulates: GB • GBC • GBA • NES • SNES • DS • DSI • 3DS • GC • Wii Get cozy under the covers with our screen bleed and crt scanlines options. Reposition the screens and buttons to maximize the emulation feel. Enhance the look with animated themes and custom buttons. Landscape mode goes hard too especially when a bluetooth controller is connected. SNES Mouse works for mar10 pain7 too!! GBDev even has 3ds mii support. Connect to a tv with airplay, connect some controllers via bluetooth, and set the phone on charge for a night of retro gatherings. Button haptics make you feel more immersed so we have that too. Our game library is seperated by console. Thank you for using GBDev!!

Screenshots

EmuTribe4 screens
GBDev4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GBDev at none against EmuTribe's shown. GBDev also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). EmuTribe's advantage is rating (3.7 vs 3.3). On price, in-app purchases, 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. EmuTribe sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and GBDev sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EmuTribe holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GBDev has 18 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EmuTribe ships an update every 2 weeks, GBDev every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
EmuTribe versus GBDev: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmuTribeGBDev
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better3.3 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews—12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings318 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size280 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDevStart LabsWinter Bagley

Customer experience

EmuTribe

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

GBDev

All ratings18 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral11.1%
Negative38.9%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative62.5%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

EmuTribe

Subscriptions1
  • EmuTribe Pro$4.991 Month
1 purchases

GBDev

One-time1
  • GBDev Pro$2.99

Questions

Is EmuTribe free?
EmuTribe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GBDev free?
GBDev is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, EmuTribe or GBDev?
EmuTribe is rated higher. EmuTribe averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while GBDev averages 3.3 from 18 ratings.
Do EmuTribe or GBDev have ads?
EmuTribe shows ads; GBDev does not.
Which is updated more often, EmuTribe or GBDev?
EmuTribe ships an update every 2 weeks, and GBDev every 4 days. Most recently, EmuTribe was updated on October 15, 2026 and GBDev on October 9, 2026.

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