Best Linux Emulator Apps & Games

250+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
18 free apps & games
Updated August 2026

UTM SE is the household name in linux emulator, but it's far from the only option. We track 250+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Linux Emulator Apps & Games (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1UTM SE: Retro PC emulatorUTM SE: Retro PC emulatorFree3.9★ (454)NoYesAug 2026
2Termux -Termux -Free4.3★ (55)NoYesAug 2026
3iSH ShelliSH ShellFree4.7★ (1.2K)NoNoAug 2026
4UTM Remote Virtual MachinesUTM Remote Virtual MachinesFree3.6★ (48)NoNoJul 2026
5Nyushu EmulatorNyushu EmulatorFreeYesNoAug 2026
6Learn Linux Step by StepLearn Linux Step by StepFree5.0★ (5)NoNoAug 2026
7REmu — Retro EmulatorREmu — Retro EmulatorFree5.0★ (1)YesNoJul 2026
8PPSSPP - PSP emulatorPPSSPP - PSP emulatorFree4.5★ (2.7K)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Linux Emulator

UTM SE: Retro PC emulator#1

UTM SE: Retro PC emulator by Turing Software, LLC

Run classic software and games
Editor's Choice
🎬 Entertainment
3.9😐(454 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator screenshot 1
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator screenshot 2
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator screenshot 3
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator screenshot 4
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator screenshot 5
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator screenshot 6

Experience classic computing by running old-school games and software. This emulator supports various display modes and processor architectures, allowing you to run pre-built systems or configure your own.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great app that can run Windows and macOS
  • 👍 Useful for nostalgic reasons
  • 👍 Can run Linux VMs

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Slow performance, especially on older devices
  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Display and boot issues
Termux -#2

Termux - by TERMUX LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Terminal and Linux Environment
Strong Contender
🛠️ Developer Tools
4.3(55 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Termux - screenshot 1
Termux - screenshot 2
Termux - screenshot 3
Termux - screenshot 4
Termux - screenshot 5
Termux - screenshot 6

This app provides a full Linux terminal emulator on iOS, allowing native command-line operations without remote connections. It features a virtual keyboard, AI command generation, and customizable themes for system administration practice, script development, and more.

iSH Shell#3

iSH Shell by Theodore Dubois

Linux in your pocket
Worth Considering
🛠️ Developer Tools
4.7😊(1.2K ratings)
Free
#16in Developer Tools
iSH Shell screenshot 1

Experience a Linux-like command-line environment directly on your iOS device. This application allows you to perform common Linux operations such as editing, moving, and manipulating files using familiar commands.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Excellent Linux environment
  • 👍 Great for SSH and network utilities
  • 💡 Allows running Linux apps on iOS
  • 🔒 Secure and sandboxed

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔋 Battery intensive
  • ⚠️ Limited functionality compared to full Linux

More Linux Emulator apps to explore

4
UTM Remote Virtual Machines
UTM Remote Virtual Machines
UTM Remote Virtual Machines
Remote desktop for VMs
Free

Access and control your virtual machines from your iOS device. Stream Windows, Ubuntu, and other operating systems running on your Mac remotely. This app requires UTM for Mac to function.

Stream virtual machines remotelySupports Windows, Ubuntu, and moreControl VMs from iOS device
📊 Productivity
(48)
free
5
Nyushu Emulator
Nyushu Emulator
Nyushu Emulator
Nyushu Emulator Games Toolkit
Free
🔧 Utilities
(0)
6
Learn Linux Step by Step
Learn Linux Step by Step
Learn Linux Step by Step
Linux Tutorial with Quizzes
Free

Master Linux commands and system administration through structured tutorials and interactive quizzes. This app offers a comprehensive learning path from beginner to advanced levels, available offline in multiple languages.

Master Linux commandsSystem administration learningBeginner to advanced curriculum
📚 Education
(5)
free
7
REmu — Retro Emulator
REmu — Retro Emulator
REmu — Retro Emulator
Bring your own classics
Free

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 ROMsOrganized game libraryMetal-accelerated rendering
🎬 Entertainment
(1)
free
8
PPSSPP - PSP emulator
PPSSPP - PSP emulator
PPSSPP - PSP emulator
Play your PSP games
Free

Experience your favorite PSP titles on your iOS device with high-definition graphics and enhanced features. This emulator allows you to play a vast library of PSP games with excellent performance. Access your own game files or explore free homebrew titles.

Play PSP games on iOSHigh-definition graphicsExtra features
🎮 Games
(2.7K)
free with in-app purchases
9
a-Shell
a-Shell
a-Shell
*Local* Unix terminal (& ssh)
Free

Run a full Unix-like terminal environment on your iOS device. Execute a wide range of commands, edit files, and even program using included interpreters and compilers. Supports multitasking and integration with Shortcuts.

Local Unix terminal emulatorSSH clientFile transfer (scp, curl)
🛠️ Developer Tools
(535)
paid
10
OhMyBoy - GBA Emulator
OhMyBoy - GBA Emulator
OhMyBoy - GBA Emulator
Game emulator for retro lovers
Free

Organize, customize, and play your retro game files with this emulator. Features include save states, custom controls, and playtime management. Enjoy a modern, user-friendly experience for your favorite classic games.

Game library organizationSave and load game statesCustomizable controls
🔧 Utilities
(1)
free with in-app purchases
11
PocketDOS: Retro PC Emulator
PocketDOS: Retro PC Emulator
PocketDOS: Retro PC Emulator
Play DOS & Windows 98 games
Free
🎬 Entertainment
(0)
12
Phosphor Emulator
Phosphor Emulator
Phosphor Emulator
Premium GBC & GBA Emulator
Free

This app provides a premium emulation experience for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games on modern iOS devices. It features advanced controls, instant save states, and unique functionalities like rewinding gameplay and AI play.

Rewind and fast-forward gameplayInstant save and load statesCustomizable touch controls
🎮 Games
(18)
free with in-app purchases
13
XONE - Retro Game Emulator
XONE - Retro Game Emulator
XONE - Retro Game Emulator
GBA Classic Games Console
Free

Experience classic gaming on your iPhone with a premium multi-system emulator. Features intelligent game selection based on your mood and time, smart resume to pick up exactly where you left off, and customizable play modes. Enjoy authentic visual enhancements and a privacy-first approach with no ads or tracking.

Multi-system emulationMood-based game selectionSmart resume across devices
🔍 Reference
(10)
free with in-app purchases
14
TinyEmulator
TinyEmulator
TinyEmulator
a retro game emulator
Free

Play classic retro games on your device with this emulator. Enjoy solo or multiplayer experiences, with support for a wide range of classic gaming systems. Save your progress, use controllers, and even chat with friends during netplay sessions.

Multi-platform supportSolo and multiplayer netplayState save and load
🎬 Entertainment
(14)
free
15
NAGORI PS1 Emulator gamehub
NAGORI PS1 Emulator gamehub
NAGORI PS1 Emulator gamehub
Best PS1 Emulator!
Free

Experience PlayStation 1 games with a streamlined emulator that prioritizes instant play and seamless saving. Enjoy a console-like library, controller support, and enhanced graphics without complex configurations.

Instant resume and auto-saveConsole-style game librarySupport for various controllers
🔧 Utilities
(4)
free with in-app purchases
16
RetroEMU: Arcade Game Emulator
RetroEMU: Arcade Game Emulator
RetroEMU: Arcade Game Emulator
Enjoy Legendary Console Titles
Free
🎬 Entertainment
(2)
17
Nodeterm
Nodeterm
Nodeterm
SSH & tmux, everywhere
Free

Access your servers and persistent terminal sessions from your mobile device. Seamlessly connect via SSH or QR code pairing, and pick up your work exactly where you left off across different devices. Offers advanced features for Pro users, including voice dictation and file uploads.

SSH and tmux supportQR code server pairingPersistent session management
🛠️ Developer Tools
(0)
freemium
18
Delta - Game Emulator
Delta - Game Emulator
Delta - Game Emulator
An AltStore app
Free

This app allows you to play classic games from various retro consoles on your iOS or iPadOS device. It supports multiple systems, online multiplayer for some games, and extensive controller customization. You can also manage game saves, use cheats, and sync your data across devices.

Supports NES, SNES, N64, DS, GBA, and moreOnline multiplayer for Nintendo DS gamesExtensive controller support (Switch, PS, Xbox, MFi)
🎬 Entertainment
(28K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Get Good: Linux
Get Good: Linux
Get Good: Linux
Learn Linux by doing
$0.99
📚 Education
(0)
20
Linux Simulator
Linux Simulator
Linux Simulator
Learn Linux by Doing
$9.99
📚 Education
(0)

FAQ about Linux Emulator

What are the best linux emulator apps & games for iPhone?
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator tops our linux emulator apps & games ranking as of August 2026, with a 3.9-star average from 454 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 18 of the top linux emulator apps & games we rank are free to download, including UTM SE: Retro PC emulator and Termux -.
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 250+ linux emulator apps & games on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This emulator allows you to run classic software and old-school games on your device. It supports both graphical (VGA) and text-based (terminal) operating systems, providing a versatile retro computing experience.
The emulator supports emulation of several key processor architectures, including x86, ARM, PPC, and RISC-V. This broad compatibility ensures you can run a wide range of classic systems.