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Head-to-head · ZX Spectrum Emulators

ZEsarUX vs Spectaculator

  • 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
Spectaculator #4 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 9.0/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Spectaculator

ZEsarUX leads on 1 check, Spectaculator on 0, and 2 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 planonly ZEsarUX
  • Free trialonly Spectaculator
  • Most featuresZEsarUX · 2 of 2

ZEsarUX scores higher on our rubric for zx spectrum emulators: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

ZEsarUX offers free plan; Spectaculator doesn't.

ZEsarUX is the better fit for broad, advanced desktop emulation. Spectaculator is the better fit for polished paid multi-device emulation.

  • ZEsarUX fits best

    Broad, advanced desktop emulation

  • Spectaculator fits best

    Polished paid multi-device emulation

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Side by side

Feature ZEsarUX 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Spectaculator 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in ZX Spectrum Emulators #4 in ZX Spectrum Emulators
Best for Broad, advanced desktop emulation Polished paid multi-device emulation
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $2.99 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features ZEsarUX 2/2 · Spectaculator 1/2
Built-in debugger ✓ ✓
Open source ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported Spectrum models Not checked yet Not checked yet
Host platforms GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin Windows, iOS, Android
Tape formats RWA, SMP, WAV, TZX, PZX, CDT, TAP, P, P81, O, CAS TAP, TZX
Snapshot formats ZSF, ZX, Z80, SP, SPG, NEX, SNA, P, P81, O, Z81, ACE SZX, SNA, 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 Kempston joystick, Cursor joystick, Fuller joystick, Sinclair Interface II joystick, Kempston mouse, AMX mouse, ZX Interface 1, Microdrives, ZX Printer, Cheetah SpecDrum, Currah µSpeech, Fuller Box, Multiface 1, Multiface 128, Multiface 3
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
  • Supports 16K through +3 Spectrum models
  • Includes tapes, disks, snapshots and peripheral emulation
  • Built-in Z80 debugger with breakpoints and watches
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
  • No free plan
  • Windows edition costs more than the mobile editions
  • Additional mobile games and content may require in-app purchases
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 →

Spectaculator emulates Sinclair ZX Spectrum computers and selected compatible hardware for people who want to run classic Spectrum software on Windows, iOS or Android. It covers 16K, 48K, 128K, +2, +2A and +3 models, giving users a broad…

Read the review →
  1. ZEsarUXZX Spectrum Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. SpectaculatorZX Spectrum Emulators 9.030-day trial

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

  • Spectaculator — where it wins

    • Supports 16K through +3 Spectrum models
    • Includes tapes, disks, snapshots and peripheral emulation
    • Built-in Z80 debugger with breakpoints and watches

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Windows edition costs more than the mobile editions
    • Additional mobile games and content may require in-app purchases

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