REmu vs GBDev
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
REmu
This app allows you to import and play your own classic game ROMs on your device. It features a clean library, automatic system detection, and customizable controls, including gamepad support. Enjoy your retro gaming collection with smooth rendering and save states.
- Import your own ROMs
- Organized game library
- Metal-accelerated rendering
- On-screen touch controls
- MFi gamepad support
- Save states
- Built-in mini-game
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REmu is a clean, focused retro library for files you already own. Import your own ROMs from the Files app, organize them in a tidy library, and play them with smooth Metal-accelerated rendering, on-screen touch controls, or any MFi-compatible gamepad. Built for landscape, designed to feel modern. WHAT'S INSIDE • A polished library that auto-detects the system from each file you import • Cover art pulled from the file when available, or matched against an open-source thumbnail database • Save states from the in-game menu — pause, save, resume any time • One built-in original mini-game (Glowchase) so the app is fun out of the box • Full MFi controller support including DualSense and Xbox Wireless WHAT'S NOT INSIDE • No game files. REmu does not ship, distribute, or download commercial games. • No BIOS files. Provide your own where required. • No ads, no in-app purchases, no tracking, no accounts. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY By using REmu, you confirm that any file you import is one you legally own (typically dumped from your own cartridge or disc) or one that is freely licensed (homebrew, public domain, etc.). Piracy is not supported in any form. PRIVACY REmu stores everything on your device. Nothing is uploaded. See the in-app Terms and Privacy Policy for full details. REmu is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any console manufacturer. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
GBDev
Play your favorite Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on your iPhone with this emulator. It features a beautiful game library, responsive on-screen controls, and customizable palettes and themes for a comfortable gaming experience.
- Game Boy & Game Boy Color ROM support
- Personalized game library with box art
- Save states for instant progress capture
- Customizable on-screen controls
- Adjustable game palettes and app themes
- Integrated cheat engine
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GBDev is a fast multi emulator with an immersive feel and lots of good ways to customize your emulation experience. Emulates: GB • GBC • GBA • NES • SNES • DS • DSI • 3DS • GC • Wii Get cozy under the covers with our screen bleed and crt scanlines options. Reposition the screens and buttons to maximize the emulation feel. Enhance the look with animated themes and custom buttons. Landscape mode goes hard too especially when a bluetooth controller is connected. SNES Mouse works for mar10 pain7 too!! GBDev even has 3ds mii support. Connect to a tv with airplay, connect some controllers via bluetooth, and set the phone on charge for a night of retro gatherings. Button haptics make you feel more immersed so we have that too. Our game library is seperated by console. Thank you for using GBDev!!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: REmu at 5.0 against GBDev's 3.3. REmu also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). GBDev's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (18 vs 1). On price, update cadence, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. GBDev sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. REmu asks for nothing beyond the download.
REmu holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GBDev has 18 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
REmu ships an update every 5 days, GBDev every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | REmu | GBDev |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 3.3 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 12.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 100 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FATIH KOCA | Winter Bagley |
Customer experience
REmu
GBDev
In-app purchases
REmu
No in-app purchases
GBDev
- GBDev Pro$2.99






