Comparison

GlassROM vs Retroly

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

Retroly

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
Read full description

Retroly is a polished retro gaming hub designed for players who want a clean, modern way to enjoy their own classic game backups on iPhone. Import compatible ROM files from local storage, organize your personal collection, and jump back into gameplay instantly with a fast, distraction-free interface built specifically for retro sessions. Features: • Authentic emulation for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance • Visual game showcase and library with instant resume • Responsive on-screen gamepad with customizable skins and haptic feedback • 8 visual save state slots with live screenshot previews and timestamps • Display filters (Sharp Pixel, LCD, LCD Subpixel, Bilinear, Smooth xBRZ) • Screen stretching and color correction tailored for handheld classics • Full support for external Bluetooth & MFi game controllers Important Notice: Retroly does not include, host, sell, or distribute copyrighted games or ROMs. Users must supply their own legally obtained game backups that they are authorized to play. Premium Upgrade: Retroly Premium is available as a one-time in-app purchase that permanently removes all banner, rewarded, and interstitial ads, unlocking the ultimate ad-free retro experience forever. No subscriptions or recurring charges. Terms of Use: https://eraylabs.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://eraylabs.com/privacy.html Support & Contact: https://eraylabs.com

Screenshots

GlassROM4 screens
Retroly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GlassROM at none against Retroly's shown. GlassROM also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). Retroly's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and Retroly 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for GlassROM against 5.0 for Retroly. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GlassROM has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, Retroly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
GlassROM versus Retroly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlassROMRetroly
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVincent GaleanoEray Kiyak

Customer experience

GlassROM

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Retroly

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassROM

One-time1
  • GlassROM Pro$9.99
1 purchases

Retroly

One-time1
  • Retroly Premium$3.99

Questions

Is GlassROM free?
GlassROM 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, GlassROM or Retroly?
GlassROM and Retroly are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do GlassROM or Retroly have ads?
Retroly shows ads; GlassROM does not.
Which is updated more often, GlassROM or Retroly?
GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, and Retroly fortnightly. Most recently, GlassROM was updated on October 23, 2026 and Retroly on October 21, 2026.

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