Comparison

Arcadious vs PixelDock

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

Head to head
About

Arcadious

Features
Read full description

Arcadious is a retro gaming emulator that works with game owners and publishers so you can play their games legally: over 28,000 games from 37 classic consoles, handhelds and home computers. Browse information on thousands of video games, manage your game collection, and chat with the Arcadious community.

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

Arcadious4 screens
PixelDock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Arcadious at none against PixelDock's 3. Arcadious also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). PixelDock's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly). 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. PixelDock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Arcadious asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arcadious ships an update monthly, PixelDock every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Arcadious versus PixelDock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcadiousPixelDock
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.3 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB429 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperArcadiousJose Antonio Salinas Garcia

In-app purchases

None

Arcadious

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 Arcadious free?
Arcadious is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PixelDock free?
PixelDock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Arcadious or PixelDock have ads?
Neither Arcadious nor PixelDock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Arcadious or PixelDock?
Arcadious ships an update monthly, and PixelDock every 3 days. Most recently, Arcadious was updated on October 31, 2026 and PixelDock on October 31, 2026.

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