Comparison

Opcodes vs pocketFORTH

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

Head to head
About

Opcodes

This app provides a comprehensive reference for retro CPU opcodes, including detailed descriptions, assembly examples, and historical context. It covers eighteen iconic processors and offers features like search, sorting, and filtering for easy exploration of historical computing information.

Highlights
  • Opcode reference for 18 iconic processors
  • Detailed instruction descriptions
  • Hex, octal, decimal values
  • Flags affected, addressing modes, cycle counts
  • Assembly code examples
  • CPU history and pinout diagrams
  • Simple assembler/disassembler
Features
Read full description

Opcodes – The Retro CPU Reference The definitive opcode reference for the legendary processors that launched the personal computer revolution. Whether you're a retrocomputing enthusiast, a student of computer history, writing code for classic hardware, or just a big old nerd - the Opcodes app gives you everything you need. Eighteen iconic processors covered: Intel 4004 · Intel 8008 · Intel 8080 · Intel 8085 · Intel 8088 · Zilog Z80 · Motorola 6800 · Intel 8085 · Motorola 6809 · MOS 6502 · Signetics 2650 · RCA 1802 - SC/MP · Motorola 68000 · Intel 8086 · WDC 65816 · Texas Instruments TMS9900 · INMOS Transputer · ARM2 For every opcode:  • Full description of what the instruction does. • Hex, octal, and decimal values. • Flags affected. • Addressing modes and cycle counts. • Assembly code examples - including loops, conditionals, and common patterns. More than just opcodes:  • CPU history and historical context. • IC pinout diagrams. • Notable systems that used each CPU, with memory maps and other background information. • Chip variants and successors. • A silly card game(!) • Simple assembler / disassembler for many CPUs. Built for exploration:  • Search for opcodes by name or category. • Sort by mnemonic, opcode byte, or category. • Filter by category, Quick Find with a colorful map. • Undocumented instructions clearly marked and optionally displayed. More than microprocessors:  • Information on key support chips: video, sound, memory and more. Cool design:  • Clean, readable layout optimised for quick reference. • Multiple colour themes. • Full "dark mode" support. Everything is included with absolutely no in-app purchase required. Recent additions: • Quiz game - test your CPU knowledge! • Share CPU cards - beautiful shareable images showing specs and history for any processor • External references - curated links to community resources for all 18 CPUs • "Opcodes display first" setting - choose whether selecting a CPU shows opcodes or info first • Chip-maker colour themes - Zilog, MOS Tech, and Motorola replace the old themes • Enhanced 6502 docs - JMP page boundary bug, BRK behaviour, and Read-Modify-Write quirks • Fixed Scratchpad hang when switching tabs

About

pocketFORTH

Features
Read full description

Discover one of the programming languages that helped shape modern computing. PocketFORTH is a modern FORTH environment inspired by the golden age of pocket computers and home computing, bringing the power of interactive programming directly to your iPhone and iPad. Whether you're a retro-computing enthusiast, a student, an electronics maker or simply curious to explore one of the most influential programming languages ever created, Pocket FORTH lets you write, run, edit and save FORTH programs through a clean, fast and completely offline interface. Designed for both learning and experimentation, Pocket FORTH combines the simplicity of the original language with modern features including live editing, dictionary browsing, source inspection, QR code sharing, persistent storage and a growing collection of built-in words compatible with classic FORTH systems.

Screenshots

Opcodes4 screens
pocketFORTH4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: pocketFORTH at none against Opcodes's 1. pocketFORTH also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). Opcodes's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). 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. Opcodes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. pocketFORTH asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Opcodes ships an update every 8 days, pocketFORTH every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 20, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Opcodes versus pocketFORTH: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpcodespocketFORTH
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn KennedyLeonardo Del Nonno

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Opcodes

One-time1
  • Buy Me a Coffee$0.99
None

pocketFORTH

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Opcodes free?
Opcodes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is pocketFORTH free?
pocketFORTH is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Opcodes or pocketFORTH have ads?
Neither Opcodes nor pocketFORTH shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Opcodes or pocketFORTH?
Opcodes ships an update every 8 days, and pocketFORTH every 3 weeks. Most recently, Opcodes was updated on September 20, 2026 and pocketFORTH on September 20, 2026.

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