Comparison

GlassROM vs PixelDock

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

PixelDock

This app consolidates numerous classic game consoles and computers into a single application. It features automatic cover art, quick save states, and organized game libraries. Premium features include cloud sync and social functionalities.

Highlights
  • Multi-console support
  • Automatic cover art
  • Quick save/load states
  • Bluetooth/MFi controller support
  • Wi-Fi file transfer
  • Cloud save synchronization (premium)
  • Social chat and voice calls (premium)
Features
Read full description

PixelDock brings together dozens of classic consoles and computers in one app, with a visual library, automatic cover art, quick save states and effortless organization. SUPPORTED SYSTEMS • Nintendo: NES, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Virtual Boy • Sega: Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, Mega-CD, 32X, Saturn, Dreamcast, NAOMI, Atomiswave • Sony: PlayStation, PSP • Atari: 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx, Jaguar, 8-bit line, ST • SNK Neo Geo and Neo Geo Pocket Color • NEC: PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine CD, PC-FX, PC-98 • Commodore 64, 128, VIC-20 and Amiga • Classic computers: ZX Spectrum, ZX81, MSX/MSX2, Amstrad CPC, Sharp X68000, Apple II, Macintosh, Thomson TO7/TO8 • Arcade and more: Vectrex, WonderSwan, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Panasonic 3DO, Pokémon Mini, Odyssey² • MS-DOS and classic adventure engines via ScummVM (SCUMM, SCI, AGI), plus Doom and Quake LIBRARY & GAMEPLAY • Automatic cover art for your whole collection, sorted by system • Fast save/load states with visual thumbnails for every save • Bluetooth/MFi controller support and external display via AirPlay or cable • Wi-Fi upload portal: transfer your own files from a computer, no cables or iTunes needed CLOUD & FRIENDS (premium) • Sync your save states across all your devices • Add friends with a unique nickname, chat, make voice calls, and send games or save states directly SUBSCRIPTION PixelDock Premium unlocks cloud save sync, the full social features and cover art for your entire library (the free tier shows cover art for your first 5 games). Available monthly and yearly with a 7-day free trial, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. • Monthly: $3.99/month • Yearly: $24.99/year • Lifetime: $44.99 one-time payment (not a subscription) Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account upon confirming purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your device Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when a paid subscription is purchased. LEGAL LINKS EULA (Terms of Use): https://emulator.it-systems.es/terms.php Privacy Policy: https://emulator.it-systems.es/privacy.php IMPORTANT NOTICE PixelDock does not include or distribute any games, BIOS files or copyrighted content. You must only use software copies you legally own. The app includes open-source emulation components; you can review all licenses from Settings.

Screenshots

GlassROM4 screens
PixelDock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GlassROM at 5.0 against PixelDock's 3.0. PixelDock's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 days). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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 PixelDock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GlassROM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, PixelDock every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
GlassROM versus PixelDock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlassROMPixelDock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB429 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVincent GaleanoJose Antonio Salinas Garcia

Customer experience

GlassROM

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

PixelDock

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassROM

One-time1
  • GlassROM Pro$9.99
3 purchases

PixelDock

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is GlassROM free?
GlassROM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PixelDock free?
PixelDock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GlassROM or PixelDock?
GlassROM is rated higher. GlassROM averages 5.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while PixelDock averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do GlassROM or PixelDock have ads?
Neither GlassROM nor PixelDock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GlassROM or PixelDock?
GlassROM ships an update every 6 days, and PixelDock every 3 days. Most recently, GlassROM was updated on October 23, 2026 and PixelDock on October 15, 2026.

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