Comparison

REmu vs GBDev

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Import your own ROMs
  • Organized game library
  • Metal-accelerated rendering
  • On-screen touch controls
  • MFi gamepad support
  • Save states
  • Built-in mini-game
Features
Read full description

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.

About

GBDev

Experience retro gaming with this multi-emulator, offering extensive customization for a personalized feel. Enjoy features like screen bleed, scanlines, and adjustable controls. Connect controllers and output to a TV for immersive retro gatherings.

Highlights
  • Multi-console emulation (GB, GBC, GBA, NES, SNES, DS, 3DS, GC, Wii)
  • Customizable screen effects (bleed, scanlines)
  • Adjustable screen and button layout
  • Animated themes and custom buttons
  • Bluetooth controller support
  • AirPlay TV output
  • Button haptics for immersion
Features
Read full description

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

REmu4 screens
GBDev4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: REmu at 4.2 against GBDev's 3.5. REmu also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 8) and device support (3 vs 1). GBDev's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (23 vs 5). On price, update cadence 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. GBDev sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. REmu asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

REmu holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 23 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

REmu ships an update every 5 days, GBDev every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
REmu versus GBDev: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterREmuGBDev
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better3.5 (23 ratings)
Positive reviews—41.7% of reviews
Number of ratings523 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB100 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperFATIH KOCAWinter Bagley

Customer experience

REmu

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

GBDev

All ratings24 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral8.3%
Negative29.2%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive41.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative41.7%

In-app purchases

None

REmu

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

GBDev

One-time8
  • Theme Pack 1$1.99
  • Theme Pack 2$1.99
  • Visual Pack 1$1.99
Show 5 more
  • Visual Pack 2$1.99
  • Visual Pack 3$1.99
  • Theme Pack 4$1.99
  • Theme Pack 3$1.99
  • GBDev Pro$2.99

Questions

Is REmu free?
REmu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GBDev free?
GBDev is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, REmu or GBDev?
REmu is rated higher. REmu averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while GBDev averages 3.5 from 23 ratings.
Do REmu or GBDev have ads?
REmu shows ads; GBDev does not.
Which is updated more often, REmu or GBDev?
REmu ships an update every 5 days, and GBDev every 4 days. Most recently, REmu was updated on October 31, 2026 and GBDev on November 10, 2026.

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