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Head-to-head · ZX Spectrum Emulators

ZEsarUX vs EightyOne

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score ZEsarUX #1 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit ZEsarUX
EightyOne #6 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit EightyOne

ZEsarUX leads on 0 checks, EightyOne 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 scoreZEsarUX · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

ZEsarUX scores higher on our rubric for zx spectrum emulators: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

ZEsarUX is the better fit for broad, advanced desktop emulation. EightyOne is the better fit for windows users emulating Sinclair systems.

  • ZEsarUX fits best

    Broad, advanced desktop emulation

  • EightyOne fits best

    Windows users emulating Sinclair systems

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Side by side

Feature ZEsarUX 9.4/10 Visit ↗ EightyOne 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in ZX Spectrum Emulators #6 in ZX Spectrum Emulators
Best for Broad, advanced desktop emulation Windows users emulating Sinclair systems
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo
Features ZEsarUX 2/2 · EightyOne 2/2
Built-in debugger ✓ ✓
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Spectrum models Not checked yet Not checked yet
Host platforms GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin Windows
Tape formats RWA, SMP, WAV, TZX, PZX, CDT, TAP, P, P81, O, CAS Not checked yet
Snapshot formats ZSF, ZX, Z80, SP, SPG, NEX, SNA, P, P81, O, Z81, ACE .Z80
Peripheral support joysticks, steering wheel, ZX Printer, light guns, light pen, Kempston mouse, ZX Microdrive, MMC/SD interfaces, IDE interfaces, DivMMC, DivIDE, Dandanator, SamRam, LEC Memory, HiLow DataDrive Joysticks (Kempston, Fuller, Sinclair 1, Sinclair 2, Cursor, Boldfield); floppy drives; microdrives; sound and speech interfaces; MIDI output
Our review
Pros
  • Supports major ZX Spectrum models from 16K through +3
  • Extensive tape, snapshot, storage, and peripheral format support
  • Advanced debugging includes reverse debugging, watches, and CPU history
  • 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
Cons
  • Its breadth may exceed the needs of basic 48K emulation
  • Many formats and peripherals can make configuration more involved
  • Network gaming uses the ZEsarUX Network Gaming protocol
  • 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
Our verdict

ZEsarUX is a free, GPL-licensed, open-source emulator for ZX Spectrum computers and related retro systems. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with support for Spectrum 16K, 48K, 128K, +2, +2A, and +3 models. The product is aimed at…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. ZEsarUXZX Spectrum Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. EightyOneZX Spectrum Emulators 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ZEsarUX — where it wins

    • Supports major ZX Spectrum models from 16K through +3
    • Extensive tape, snapshot, storage, and peripheral format support
    • Advanced debugging includes reverse debugging, watches, and CPU history

    Where it doesn't

    • Its breadth may exceed the needs of basic 48K emulation
    • Many formats and peripherals can make configuration more involved
    • Network gaming uses the ZEsarUX Network Gaming protocol

  • 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

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