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Head-to-head · ZX Spectrum Emulators

EightyOne vs JSSpeccy 3

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score EightyOne #6 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit EightyOne
JSSpeccy 3 #8 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit JSSpeccy 3

EightyOne leads on 0 checks, JSSpeccy 3 on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEightyOne · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEightyOne · 2 of 2

EightyOne scores higher on our rubric for zx spectrum emulators: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

EightyOne is the better fit for windows users emulating Sinclair systems. JSSpeccy 3 is the better fit for instant browser-based emulation.

  • EightyOne fits best

    Windows users emulating Sinclair systems

  • JSSpeccy 3 fits best

    Instant browser-based emulation

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Side by side

Feature EightyOne 8.8/10 Visit ↗ JSSpeccy 3 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #6 in ZX Spectrum Emulators #8 in ZX Spectrum Emulators
Best for Windows users emulating Sinclair systems Instant browser-based emulation
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud
Platforms Windows Web
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features EightyOne 2/2 · JSSpeccy 3 1/2
Built-in debugger ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Spectrum models Not checked yet Not checked yet
Host platforms Windows web browser
Tape formats Not checked yet TZX, TAP
Snapshot formats .Z80 SZX, Z80, SNA
Peripheral support Joysticks (Kempston, Fuller, Sinclair 1, Sinclair 2, Cursor, Boldfield); floppy drives; microdrives; sound and speech interfaces; MIDI output Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Emulates Spectrum, ZX80, ZX81, Timex and Jupiter ACE models
  • Supports multiple joystick types, disks, microdrives and sound interfaces
  • Includes execution breakpoints, a debugger memory window and MIDI output
  • Runs 48K, 128K, and Pentagon Spectrum machines in a browser
  • Cycle-accurate scanline and multicolour effects with AY and beeper audio
  • Loads snapshots, tape images, and supported files from ZIP archives
Cons
  • Windows-only host support limits cross-platform use
  • Its broad Sinclair focus may be more than Spectrum-only users need
  • MIDI output is limited to Spectrum 128 and Spectrum +2
  • Web-browser access only; there is no desktop platform
  • Spectrum +2 and +3 are outside its documented machine support
  • Narrower peripheral and debugging coverage than desktop alternatives
Our verdict

EightyOne is a free Windows desktop emulator for ZX Spectrum and other Sinclair-compatible home computers. Its supported machines include ZX Spectrum 16K/48K, 128K, +2, +2A and +3 systems, as well as ZX80, ZX81, Timex and Jupiter ACE…

Read the review →

JSSpeccy 3 is a browser-based ZX Spectrum emulator by Matt Westcott for people who want to run Spectrum software without a desktop installation. It emulates 48K, 128K, and Pentagon machines, handles documented and undocumented Z80…

Read the review →
  1. EightyOneZX Spectrum Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. JSSpeccy 3ZX Spectrum Emulators 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • EightyOne — where it wins

    • Emulates Spectrum, ZX80, ZX81, Timex and Jupiter ACE models
    • Supports multiple joystick types, disks, microdrives and sound interfaces
    • Includes execution breakpoints, a debugger memory window and MIDI output

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only host support limits cross-platform use
    • Its broad Sinclair focus may be more than Spectrum-only users need
    • MIDI output is limited to Spectrum 128 and Spectrum +2

  • JSSpeccy 3 — where it wins

    • Runs 48K, 128K, and Pentagon Spectrum machines in a browser
    • Cycle-accurate scanline and multicolour effects with AY and beeper audio
    • Loads snapshots, tape images, and supported files from ZIP archives

    Where it doesn't

    • Web-browser access only; there is no desktop platform
    • Spectrum +2 and +3 are outside its documented machine support
    • Narrower peripheral and debugging coverage than desktop alternatives

More comparisons

All ZX spectrum emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update