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Head-to-head · Apple II Emulators

GSSquared vs Casso

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
GSSquared #7 in Apple II Emulators 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit GSSquared
Casso #8 in Apple II Emulators 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Casso

GSSquared leads on 0 checks, Casso 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

  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGSSquared · 2 of 3

GSSquared and Casso score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for apple ii emulators; GSSquared sits at #7 and Casso at #8 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

On host platform, GSSquared gives you Cross-platform where Casso offers Windows.

GSSquared is the better fit for users wanting broad Apple II and IIgs coverage. Casso is the better fit for windows users wanting hardware and cassette emulation.

  • GSSquared fits best

    Users wanting broad Apple II and IIgs coverage

  • Casso fits best

    Windows users wanting hardware and cassette emulation

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Side by side

Feature GSSquared 7.9/10 Visit ↗ Casso 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.9
Ranking #7 in Apple II Emulators #8 in Apple II Emulators
Best for Users wanting broad Apple II and IIgs coverage Windows users wanting hardware and cassette emulation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $40 one-time Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features GSSquared 2/3 · Casso 1/3
Built-in debugger ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Save states Not checked yet Not checked yet
Joystick support ✓ ✓
Specs
Apple II model coverage Multi-model Multi-model
Host platform Cross-platform Windows
Disk image formats .do, .po, .dsk, .nib, .2mg, .woz 1.0, .woz 2.0, .hdv, .img, .hda, .iso, .pmap WOZ, DSK, DO, PO, NIB, NB2
Our review
Pros
  • Emulates Apple II, Apple II+, Apple IIe variants, and Apple IIgs systems
  • Loads a wide range of disk images and supports SmartPort storage
  • Desktop builds include an integrated debugger for CPU, memory, video, and devices
  • Emulates five Apple II models and supports six disk-image formats
  • Loads and saves cassette audio, including WAV, AIFF, MP3, and FLAC input
  • Adds Mockingboard, printer, network card, and controller emulation
Cons
  • The integrated debugger is available only on desktop builds
  • Gamepad support may not suit users who need other input options
  • The $40 shareware contribution is suggested, so it does not buy a separate paid tier
  • Runs on Windows only
  • Peripheral and media support may be more than users seeking a simple emulator need
  • Does not offer AI features
Our verdict

GSSquared is an emulator for the Apple II family, spanning Apple II, Apple II+, Apple IIe variants, and Apple IIgs systems. It is aimed at people who want to run classic Apple II software on current computers, with desktop versions for…

Read the review →

Casso brings several Apple II models together in a Windows desktop application, alongside an assembler and disk manager. It is aimed at people who want more than a basic emulator: it covers Apple ][, ][+, //e, //e Enhanced, and //c, and…

Read the review →
  1. GSSquaredApple II Emulators 7.9Free plan
  2. CassoApple II Emulators 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GSSquared — where it wins

    • Emulates Apple II, Apple II+, Apple IIe variants, and Apple IIgs systems
    • Loads a wide range of disk images and supports SmartPort storage
    • Desktop builds include an integrated debugger for CPU, memory, video, and devices

    Where it doesn't

    • The integrated debugger is available only on desktop builds
    • Gamepad support may not suit users who need other input options
    • The $40 shareware contribution is suggested, so it does not buy a separate paid tier

  • Casso — where it wins

    • Emulates five Apple II models and supports six disk-image formats
    • Loads and saves cassette audio, including WAV, AIFF, MP3, and FLAC input
    • Adds Mockingboard, printer, network card, and controller emulation

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows only
    • Peripheral and media support may be more than users seeking a simple emulator need
    • Does not offer AI features

GSSquared vs Casso: questions

Which is better for apple II emulators, GSSquared or Casso?

GSSquared and Casso score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for apple ii emulators; GSSquared sits at #7 and Casso at #8 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

How do GSSquared and Casso compare?

All 3 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.

Do GSSquared and Casso have a free plan?

GSSquared: Yes. Casso: Yes.

More comparisons

All apple II emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update