Comparison

Nova Emulator vs OpenSol

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

Head to head
About

Nova Emulator

Play classic console games on your smartphone with this high-performance emulator. Enjoy smooth gameplay, save states, fast forward, and display filters. Supports a wide range of retro consoles and offers cheat code functionality.

Highlights
  • High-performance emulation (60fps)
  • Virtual gamepad with radial dial
  • Save and load game states
  • Fast forward gameplay (2x-4x)
  • Display filters (CRT, LCD)
  • Cheat code support
  • Play time statistics
Features
Read full description

Play your favorite emulator games again on your smartphone. A high-performance retro game emulator that lets you play game ROMs. SUPPORTED CONSOLES • GBA, GB, GBC, NES, N64, NDS, PSX, PCE, Lynx, NGP, NGPC KEY FEATURES • High-Performance Emulation — 60fps smooth gameplay powered by libretro cores • Virtual Gamepad — Lemuroid-style radial dial with glass morphism design • Save & Load States — Save your progress anytime • Fast Forward — Speed up gameplay from 2x to 4x • Display Filters — Sharp, Smooth, CRT scanline, LCD pixel grid • Cheat Codes — GameShark, Action Replay, Game Genie and more • 11 Languages — English, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, French, German, Chinese (Traditional) NOVA PREMIUM Upgrade to Nova Premium and enjoy all features. • Remove all ads • Unlimited game library • Cheat mode activation • Unlock all save & load slots • Full weekly play time statistics PLAY HISTORY Track your gaming habits with weekly play time charts, daily breakdowns, and per-game statistics. LEGAL NOTICE • Nova does NOT provide or distribute any ROM files • You must only use ROMs of games you legally own • Downloading or distributing copyrighted ROMs is your responsibility • Nova does not encourage the use of illegal ROMs • Nova does not transmit any of your game data externally This app is subject to Apple's Standard End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

OpenSol

Experience a classic 8080 computer emulator inspired by the Sol-20 Terminal Computer. Interact with original firmware, customize display effects, and enjoy an immersive terminal experience. This independently developed app offers a unique retro computing simulation.

Highlights
  • Intel 8080 interpreter
  • Original OpenSol firmware
  • Sol Command Monitor
  • Customizable display effects (CRT, phosphor)
  • Full-screen immersive mode
  • External keyboard and controller support
  • Virtual cassette tools
Features
Read full description

OpenSol is an independently developed Intel 8080 computer emulator inspired by the Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer. Explore a 64-by-16 character display, type directly into the original OpenSol firmware, and use the built-in Sol Command Monitor. Choose white, green, amber, or red phosphor; switch between a sharp flat display and period-inspired CRT effects; and use full-screen mode for an immersive terminal experience. OpenSol includes: • A complete independently written Intel 8080 interpreter • Original OpenSol firmware and Sol Command Monitor • iPhone, iPad, and Mac interfaces • Direct typing, touch input, external keyboards, and compatible game controllers • User-selected ENT and raw-binary file import • Private on-device Recent Programs and session restoration • Experimental virtual cassette and USB-audio cassette tools OpenSol includes no SOLOS ROM, vintage applications, download catalog, advertising, analytics, tracking, accounts, or network service. Users provide their own lawfully obtained compatible files. OpenSol is not affiliated with or endorsed by Processor Technology Corporation or any successor rights holder. Historical product names are used only to describe compatibility and historical context.

Screenshots

Nova Emulator4 screens
OpenSol3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenSol at none against Nova Emulator's 3. OpenSol also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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. Nova Emulator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. OpenSol asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Nova Emulator against 5.0 for OpenSol. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nova Emulator ships an update every 3 weeks, OpenSol every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Nova Emulator versus OpenSol: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNova EmulatorOpenSol
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS16 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIDEATAG STUDIOJordan Ruderman

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Nova Emulator

Subscriptions3
  • NOVA Premium$1.991 Month
  • NOVA Premium$4.993 Months
  • NOVA Premium$7.996 Months
None

OpenSol

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Nova Emulator free?
Nova Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenSol free?
OpenSol is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nova Emulator or OpenSol?
Nova Emulator and OpenSol are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Nova Emulator or OpenSol have ads?
Nova Emulator shows ads; OpenSol does not.
Which is updated more often, Nova Emulator or OpenSol?
Nova Emulator ships an update every 3 weeks, and OpenSol every 8 days. Most recently, Nova Emulator was updated on October 1, 2026 and OpenSol on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons