# RetroHandheld vs Retroly

The clearest difference is rating: Retroly at 5.0 against RetroHandheld's 3.7. RetroHandheld's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RetroHandheld sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Retroly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Retroly holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

RetroHandheld ships an update fortnightly, Retroly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RetroHandheld | Retroly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrohandheld/id6759585946/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retroly/id6768423479/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 23 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Margot](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877555458) | [Eray Kiyak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1855182376) |

## What reviewers say

### RetroHandheld

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrohandheld/id6759585946)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a classic gaming console. Play popular retro systems like Game Boy, NES, and PlayStation with controller support and save states. Bring your own legally owned game files for an offline, ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Plays 8 classic consoles, Controller support, Save states and auto-save, Offline play, Cheat code support, iCloud backup

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Unlock | $2.99 | one-time |


### Retroly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retroly/id6768423479)

Play your classic game backups on iPhone with this retro gaming hub. Import ROMs, organize your collection, and enjoy a fast, distraction-free interface with customizable on-screen controls. Save your progress and adjust settings for a personalized experience.

**Highlights:** Game Boy, GBC, GBA support, ROM import from local storage, Organized game library, Recent play history, Responsive on-screen controls, Gameplay customization

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Retroly Premium | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RetroHandheld free?

RetroHandheld is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Retroly free?

Retroly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, RetroHandheld or Retroly?

Retroly is rated higher. RetroHandheld averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Retroly averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do RetroHandheld or Retroly have ads?

Retroly shows ads; RetroHandheld does not.

### Which is updated more often, RetroHandheld or Retroly?

RetroHandheld ships an update fortnightly, and Retroly every 3 weeks. Most recently, RetroHandheld was updated on September 19, 2026 and Retroly on September 3, 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.*