Comparison

GlassROM vs Dream Emulator

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

Head to head
About

GlassROM

Play classic games from multiple retro consoles on your iOS device. Enjoy accurate emulation, customizable controls, and save states for a seamless gaming experience. All your games are managed locally with a focus on privacy.

Highlights
  • Supports Game Boy, NES, N64, DS, and GameCube
  • Metal-powered pixel-perfect rendering
  • Low-latency audio engine
  • On-screen and controller support
  • Save states and battery persistence
  • Import ROMs from Files app
  • Includes six original demo games
Features
Read full description

glassROM is a multi-system retro game emulator designed for iOS. It supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 64 — all with accurate emulation, a clean modern interface, and no ads or tracking. Supported Systems • Game Boy (DMG) & Game Boy Color (CGB) • Game Boy Advance (GBA) • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) • Nintendo DS • Nintendo 64 (N64) Key Features • Metal-powered rendering with pixel-perfect output at native resolution • Low-latency audio engine built on AVAudioEngine • On-screen D-pad, analog stick, and action buttons with haptic feedback • Full N64 touch controls: analog stick, C-pad, Z trigger, L/R shoulders • Full MFi and Bluetooth game controller support • Save states with up to 10 slots per game, plus quick-save/quick-load • Battery save persistence for cartridges with SRAM • Import ROMs directly from the Files app (.gb, .gbc, .gba, .nes, .nds, .z64, .n64, .v64, .iso, .gcm, .gcz) No Copyrighted ROMs Included glassROM does not include, bundle, or download any copyrighted game software, ROM files, or proprietary BIOS firmware. All game content must be supplied by the user from their own legally obtained backups. The app includes six original demo games created by the developer — GlassSnake, GlassSnake Color, GlassSnake Advance, GlassBlocks, GlassBlocks Color, and GlassBlocks Advance — so you can start playing immediately. Privacy First glassROM operates fully offline by default. It does not collect, transmit, or share any personal data. An optional setting allows downloading cover-art thumbnails for imported games, which can be disabled at any time.

About

Dream Emulator

Features
Read full description

Dream Emulator brings the classic Game Boy experience to your iPhone. Load your own ROM files and play your favorite Game Boy games with a faithful emulation of the original hardware — including accurate CPU, graphics, and sound. FEATURES • Accurate Game Boy (DMG) emulation • Crystal-clear pixel rendering at any screen size • Full audio emulation with all 4 sound channels • On-screen controls with D-pad, A/B buttons, Start and Select • Save and load game states at any time (3 slots per game) • Fast forward mode to speed up gameplay • Recent games list for quick access to your library • File sharing via iTunes and the Files app • No ads, no tracking, no internet connection required HOW TO USE Transfer your .gb ROM files to the app using the Files app or iTunes File Sharing, then select them inside Dream Emulator to start playing. PRIVACY Dream Emulator collects no personal data. Everything stays on your device. NOTE Dream Emulator does not include any games. Users are responsible for obtaining ROM files in compliance with applicable copyright laws.

Screenshots

GlassROM4 screens
Dream Emulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dream Emulator at none against GlassROM's 1. Dream Emulator also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). GlassROM's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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. GlassROM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dream Emulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, Dream Emulator every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
GlassROM versus Dream Emulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlassROMDream Emulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVincent GaleanoThalisson Gabriel Da Silva Santos Melo

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassROM

One-time1
  • GlassROM Pro$9.99
None

Dream Emulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GlassROM free?
GlassROM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dream Emulator free?
Dream Emulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GlassROM or Dream Emulator have ads?
Neither GlassROM nor Dream Emulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GlassROM or Dream Emulator?
GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, and Dream Emulator every 2 days. Most recently, GlassROM was updated on September 4, 2026 and Dream Emulator on September 8, 2026.

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