Comparison

Arcade95 vs Retroly

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

Head to head
About

Arcade95

Relive classic computer experiences with a simulated retro desktop. Play iconic games like Solitaire and Pinball, use familiar apps like Paint and Notepad, and explore different Windows eras. Customize your desktop with cosmetic rewards and enjoy a nostalgic journey.

Highlights
  • Classic PC desktop simulation
  • Play Solitaire, Pinball, Minesweeper, and more
  • Use retro apps like Paint and Notepad
  • Explore seven desktop eras (95, 98, XP, etc.)
  • Customizable desktop with cosmetic rewards
  • Includes 12 retro screensavers
  • Game Center leaderboards and turn-based matches
Features
Read full description

A working retro PC desktop for iPhone and iPad. Play Solitaire and Space Cadet Pinball, save notes and drawings, and explore seven desktop eras. Every game and app is available from the first boot. Arcade Update unlocks desktop customizations. WHAT'S INSIDE Games - Minesweeper, Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell, and Hearts - Reversi, Gomoku, Janggi (Korean chess), Baduk (Go), and Chess - JezzBall, SkiFree, and Sichuan Mahjong (Shisen-Sho) - Rodent's Revenge and Klotski - 3D Pinball Space Cadet, powered by a native Space Cadet engine port Apps - Calculator, Paint, and Notepad - Winamp for MP3s from Files, with lock-screen Now Playing - Media Player and Sound Recorder - Flash Player for imported .swf files - Disk Defragmenter - Focus Timer with session history, ranks, and a Lock Screen countdown - Outlook Express with letters from your desktop and a mail composer - MS-DOS Prompt - Sticky Notes, including a home-screen widget - Netscape, with dial-up sound, bookmarks, history, browsing, and downloads Desktop - Start menu, taskbar, clock, tray, desktop icons, folders, My Computer, My Documents, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, Run, Arcade Update, boot flow, shutdown flow, and session restore - Arcade Update cosmetic rewards, setup sequences, BSOD surprises, a Clippy-style assistant, Tamagotchi, and a first-launch Welcome - Seven desktop eras: 95, 98, Me, XP, Vista, 3.1, and 7 - Windows 3.1 switches into a real Program Manager-style shell - Long-press context menus, file associations, saved documents, wallpapers, themes, and retro chrome 12 SCREENSAVERS Choose a favorite or randomize 12 screensavers, from 3D Pipes, 3D Maze, and Mystify to Fireplace and Jellyfish Aquarium. GAME CENTER Compete on daily and weekly leaderboards for Minesweeper, Solitaire, FreeCell, Hearts, SkiFree, Pinball, and Sichuan Mahjong. Start asynchronous turn-based matches in Reversi, Gomoku, Janggi (Korean chess), Baduk (Go), and Chess. BUILT FOR MODERN iOS Arcade95 is native on iPhone and iPad for iOS 26 or later. iPhone is portrait-only; iPad supports portrait and landscape. It is rebuilt for touch while keeping the old desktop rhythm: small windows, menus, bevels, files, and the satisfying feeling of poking around a real machine. PRIVACY AND ADS No account or email login is required. Some features use the network, including browsing and downloads. Arcade95 includes Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics, Remote Config, and Google AdMob. App Tracking Transparency is resolved before AdMob starts, and Google UMP consent is handled separately. There is no persistent banner ad; interstitial ads are limited to user-selected surfaces. Open the Start menu. Pick a game, an app, a folder, or a screensaver. Welcome back to the desktop.

About

Retroly

Enjoy your classic game backups on iPhone with this retro gaming hub. It offers authentic emulation, a visual game library, and customizable on-screen controls. Supports external controllers and various display filters for an enhanced experience.

Highlights
  • Authentic emulation for Game Boy, GBC, GBA
  • Visual game showcase and library
  • Customizable on-screen gamepad
  • Save states with screenshot previews
  • Display filters and screen correction
  • Bluetooth & MFi controller support
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://retroly.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://retroly.app/privacy/ Support & Contact: https://retroly.app

Screenshots

Arcade954 screens
Retroly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Arcade95 at none against Retroly's 1. Arcade95 also leads on ratings volume (28 vs 1) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). Retroly's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). 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. Retroly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Arcade95 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retroly holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade95 has 28 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arcade95 ships an update every 5 days, Retroly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Arcade95 versus Retroly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcade95Retroly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (28 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings28 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterFortnightly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB83 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerheewook shinEray Kiyak

Customer experience

Arcade95

All ratings28 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

Retroly

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

In-app purchases

None

Arcade95

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retroly

One-time1
  • Retroly Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Arcade95 free?
Arcade95 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retroly free?
Retroly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arcade95 or Retroly?
Retroly is rated higher. Arcade95 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while Retroly averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Arcade95 or Retroly have ads?
Both Arcade95 and Retroly show ads.
Which is updated more often, Arcade95 or Retroly?
Arcade95 ships an update every 5 days, and Retroly fortnightly. Most recently, Arcade95 was updated on November 9, 2026 and Retroly on November 5, 2026.

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