Comparison

SpatialEMU vs QuickLayout

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

Head to head
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.

About

QuickLayout

Features
Read full description

Switch your Mac's saved window workspaces from iPhone or iPad. QuickLayout gives you a touch-friendly list of Layouts on your paired Mac, with search, Apply, desktop status and Undo. A Mac running QuickLayout on the same local network is required for remote operation. Create and edit Layouts on the Mac first. This iOS app does not arrange other iPhone or iPad apps' windows. CHOOSE A WORKSPACE - Browse saved Layouts with their display profile and app/window counts. - Search by Layout name. Favorites set on the Mac appear first. - Keep a focused list on iPhone or use the wider Layout grid on iPad. APPLY AND UNDO - Tap Apply to send the selected Layout to your Mac. - See progress and the desktop's result, including partial results or errors. - Refresh the list and desktop status. - Use Undo when the Mac reports that its previous arrangement can be restored. PAIR WITH YOUR MAC - Enable Mobile remote in QuickLayout's Mac settings and keep the app open. - Find the Mac on your local network or enter its IP address manually. - Compare the six-digit code on both devices and approve pairing on the Mac. - Reconnect to saved, approved desktops. - No QuickLayout account or cloud relay is required. Paired commands use an authenticated encrypted connection. SET UP LAYOUTS ON MAC Install the bundled QuickLayout Window Bridge shortcut when prompted by the Mac app. Save the window arrangements you want to switch between. Layout capture, editing, Quick Placement and automation setup stay on the Mac; your iPhone or iPad selects and applies those saved workspaces. PREVIEW THE INTERFACE Explore demo shows sample Layouts without a Mac connection. It is a labelled interactive preview only: no desktop commands are sent. FREE AND PRO Start with a seven-day trial. Remote-control features remain available in Free after the trial, with advertising. Pro removes ads through a yearly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. Restore Purchases is available. Terms of Use: https://kakitiro.com/quickapps/quicklayout/terms/

Screenshots

SpatialEMU2 screens
QuickLayout3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SpatialEMU at none against QuickLayout's 2. SpatialEMU also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (6 vs 4). QuickLayout's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price 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. QuickLayout sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. SpatialEMU asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SpatialEMU versus QuickLayout: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpatialEMUQuickLayout
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size388 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer晓东 傅KAZUHIRO KAKIMOTO

In-app purchases

None

SpatialEMU

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

QuickLayout

Subscriptions1
  • Pro - Annual$1.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro - Lifetime$6.99

Questions

Is SpatialEMU free?
SpatialEMU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is QuickLayout free?
QuickLayout is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SpatialEMU or QuickLayout have ads?
QuickLayout shows ads; SpatialEMU does not.

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