Comparison

GlassFiles vs SpatialEMU

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

Head to head
About

GlassFiles

This utility app efficiently handles multiple archive formats, offering fast extraction and preview capabilities. It features a modern glass interface and prioritizes security with path traversal protection. An optional one-time purchase unlocks advanced features like batch processing and background support.

Highlights
  • Supports 7 archive formats (ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR)
  • Handles multi-part RAR archives
  • Intelligent format detection
  • Streaming extraction
  • In-app archive preview
  • Path traversal protection
  • Batch extraction (Pro)
Features
Read full description

GlassFiles is a fast, clean, and powerful archive app designed for iPhone. Open and extract 7 archive formats — ZIP, RAR v4/v5, 7Z, TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2, and TAR.XZ — with a modern, handcrafted glass interface. WHAT MAKES GLASSFILES DIFFERENT: 7 Archive Formats — More than any comparable iOS archive app Multi-Part RAR Support — Automatically detects and resolves .r00, .r01, .part1.rar split archives Intelligent Format Detection — Reads binary magic bytes instead of relying on file extensions Streaming Extraction — Processes archives without loading them entirely into memory In-App Archive Preview — Browse archive contents before extracting Security-First — Path traversal protection on every extraction Glass Design System — Frosted surfaces, spring animations, and haptic feedback PRO UNLOCK: A one-time purchase enables batch extraction, background processing, and unlimited archive support. No account required. No ads. No tracking.

About

SpatialEMU

This app allows you to play your personal retro game collection on iPhone and iPad. It supports a wide range of classic systems and offers flexible control options, including virtual buttons and physical controllers. You can load games locally or connect to a self-hosted server for library management.

Highlights
  • Play retro games on iOS devices
  • Supports NES, SNES, PlayStation, PSP, and more
  • Load local game files or use a self-hosted server
  • Virtual and physical controller support
  • Customizable controller mapping
  • Local save states and progress syncing
Features
Read full description

SpatialEMU brings your own retro game library to iPhone and iPad. Organize a personal local collection, choose how each game is presented, and play with touch controls or supported physical game controllers. SUPPORTED SYSTEMS Play user-provided games for NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Mega Drive / Genesis, SEGA 32X, Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, PlayStation, PSP, DOS, Neo Geo, CPS arcade systems, SEGA Model 2, SEGA Model 3, and supported MAME arcade hardware. Compatibility varies by title, file format, and required system files. LOAD LOCAL FILES OR USE YOUR OWN SERVER No server is required: open local games directly with the system document picker. FolioSpace Library is an optional, self-hosted personal library and is not part of the SpatialEMU client. It can run on a NAS or on a Docker-capable Mac, PC, or Linux host. Connect to your own server to browse, search, filter, and selectively download your catalog, save multiple server profiles, and synchronize supported battery saves and play records. PLAY YOUR WAY Use the app's virtual controls or supported Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and other game controllers. Universal controller mapping supports global, per-system, and per-game profiles, button reassignment, axis inversion, dead zones, and sensitivity. SpatialEMU also provides Nintendo DS touch input, DOS keyboard and mouse controls, and specialized controls for supported arcade and mahjong titles. LOCAL-NETWORK CABINET LINK Supported SEGA Model 3 titles can create native cabinet-link sessions across multiple devices. Every device runs the same user-provided game locally while the LAN carries only cabinet-link data. Some larger room layouts remain clearly labeled experimental. LOCAL PROGRESS Keep local battery saves and save states for supported systems. Store separate progress for each game and synchronize supported save records through your own FolioSpace Library. IMPORTANT SpatialEMU does not include games, ROMs, BIOS files, firmware, encryption keys, copyrighted game content, or downloads for such content. You must provide files you have the right to use. Compatibility does not imply affiliation with the relevant hardware or game publishers. FolioSpace connection guide: https://spatialemu.com/guides/foliospace-connection/ Open-source notices and corresponding source: https://github.com/funland/SpatialEMU-Source Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ FREE FEATURES AND OPTIONAL PURCHASES Supported NES, SNES, Mega Drive / Genesis, GB, GBC, GBA, and all supported FBNeo systems (including CPS1, CPS2, CPS3 and Neo Geo) do not require Prime. Prime unlocks additional supported systems through a monthly subscription, annual subscription, or one-time lifetime purchase. Compatibility varies by game and platform. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. Eligible earlier purchasers retain permanent Prime access after purchase-history verification. Purchasing lifetime Prime does not automatically cancel an existing subscription. Prices and purchase options appear in the app.

Screenshots

GlassFiles4 screens
SpatialEMU2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SpatialEMU at none against GlassFiles's 1. SpatialEMU also leads on device support (6 vs 2). GlassFiles's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 11 days). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. GlassFiles sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SpatialEMU 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 GlassFiles against 5.0 for SpatialEMU. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlassFiles ships an update every 2 days, SpatialEMU every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GlassFiles versus SpatialEMU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlassFilesSpatialEMU
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB388 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVincent Galeano晓东 傅

Customer experience

GlassFiles

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

SpatialEMU

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GlassFiles

One-time1
  • GlassFiles Pro$9.99
None

SpatialEMU

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GlassFiles free?
GlassFiles is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SpatialEMU free?
SpatialEMU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GlassFiles or SpatialEMU?
GlassFiles and SpatialEMU are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do GlassFiles or SpatialEMU have ads?
Neither GlassFiles nor SpatialEMU shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GlassFiles or SpatialEMU?
GlassFiles ships an update every 2 days, and SpatialEMU every 11 days. Most recently, GlassFiles was updated on October 5, 2026 and SpatialEMU on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons