Comparison

GlassROM vs HoleArena

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

HoleArena

Features
Read full description

HoleArena Slide your shape into the matching hole — before chaos takes over. HoleArena is a fast-paced geometric puzzle where every move counts. Morph your shape, find the right hole, and drop it in before time runs out or the board turns against you. Simple to learn. Hard to master. Features: Intuitive drag & drop shape matching Dynamic difficulty that grows with every level Boss battles that change the rules entirely Combo & streak system — chain matches for massive scores Cosmic visuals that evolve as you progress Split mechanic for advanced plays

Screenshots

GlassROM4 screens
HoleArena3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HoleArena at none against GlassROM's 1. HoleArena also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support 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. HoleArena asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, HoleArena every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
GlassROM versus HoleArena: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlassROMHoleArena
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperVincent GaleanoMuhammed Ismayilov

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassROM

One-time1
  • GlassROM Pro$9.99
None

HoleArena

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GlassROM free?
GlassROM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HoleArena free?
HoleArena is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GlassROM or HoleArena have ads?
Neither GlassROM nor HoleArena shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GlassROM or HoleArena?
GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, and HoleArena every 2 days. Most recently, GlassROM was updated on October 31, 2026 and HoleArena on October 31, 2026.

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