Comparison

Arcade95 vs PixelDock

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

Head to head
About

Arcade95

Relive the classic Windows 95 experience on your iPhone. Play iconic games like Solitaire and Minesweeper, use familiar applications like Paint and Notepad, and enjoy a nostalgic desktop environment with retro screensavers.

Highlights
  • Windows 95 desktop simulation
  • Classic games: Solitaire, Minesweeper, Pinball
  • Productivity apps: Paint, Notepad
  • Retro web browser
  • Customizable screensavers
  • Multiple Windows desktop eras
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

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

Arcade954 screens
PixelDock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Arcade95 at 4.5 against PixelDock's 3.0. Arcade95 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (23 vs 3). PixelDock's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence 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. PixelDock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Arcade95 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arcade95 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade95 has 23 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arcade95 ships an update every 4 days, PixelDock every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Arcade95 versus PixelDock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcade95PixelDock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (23 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings23 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB429 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerheewook shinJose Antonio Salinas Garcia

Customer experience

Arcade95

All ratings23 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

PixelDock

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

In-app purchases

None

Arcade95

No in-app purchases

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 Arcade95 free?
Arcade95 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PixelDock free?
PixelDock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arcade95 or PixelDock?
Arcade95 is rated higher. Arcade95 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while PixelDock averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Arcade95 or PixelDock have ads?
Arcade95 shows ads; PixelDock does not.
Which is updated more often, Arcade95 or PixelDock?
Arcade95 ships an update every 4 days, and PixelDock every 3 days. Most recently, Arcade95 was updated on October 25, 2026 and PixelDock on October 15, 2026.

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