ZEsarUX vs JSSpeccy 3

ZZEsarUX9.4Visit JSSpeccy 38.5Visit

Higher score Z ZEsarUX #1 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit ZEsarUX

vs

JSSpeccy 3 #8 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit JSSpeccy 3

• ZEsarUX fits best

  Broad, advanced desktop emulation

• JSSpeccy 3 fits best

  Instant browser-based emulation

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Side by side

Feature	ZZEsarUX 9.4/10 Visit ↗	JSSpeccy 3 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.5
Ranking	#1 in ZX Spectrum Emulators	#8 in ZX Spectrum Emulators
Best for	Broad, advanced desktop emulation	Instant browser-based emulation
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Cloud
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features ZEsarUX 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	GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin	web browser
Tape formats	RWA, SMP, WAV, TZX, PZX, CDT, TAP, P, P81, O, CAS	TZX, TAP
Snapshot formats	ZSF, ZX, Z80, SP, SPG, NEX, SNA, P, P81, O, Z81, ACE	SZX, Z80, SNA
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	Not checked yet
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	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	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	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	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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• ZZEsarUX9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad desktop emulator for Spectrum models, storage formats, peripherals, and debugging.

  Visit ZEsarUXFull verdict →
• JSSpeccy 38.5/10 · Free plan

  Free, open-source browser emulation with accurate timing and broad file support.

  Visit JSSpeccy 3Full verdict →