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Head-to-head · ZX Spectrum Emulators

zx_go vs Zedex

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score zx_go #3 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 9.2/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit zx_go
Zedex #10 in ZX Spectrum Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Zedex

zx_go leads on 1 check, Zedex 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 scorezx_go · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Zedex
  • Most featureszx_go · 2 of 2

zx_go scores higher on our rubric for zx spectrum emulators: 9.2 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #10.

zx_go offers built-in debugger; Zedex doesn't.

zx_go is the better fit for advanced debugging across desktop platforms. Zedex is the better fit for android gaming and media features.

  • zx_go fits best

    Advanced debugging across desktop platforms

  • Zedex fits best

    Android gaming and media features

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Side by side

Feature zx_go 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Zedex 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.3
Ranking #3 in ZX Spectrum Emulators #10 in ZX Spectrum Emulators
Best for Advanced debugging across desktop platforms Android gaming and media features
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Android
Support Community Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features zx_go 2/2 · Zedex 1/2
Built-in debugger ✓ (best) —
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported Spectrum models Not checked yet Not checked yet
Host platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Android 11 and later
Tape formats .tap, .tzx TAP, TZX
Snapshot formats .sna, .z80, .szx SZX, Z80, SNA
Peripheral support +3 FDC, Beta Disk, Opus Discovery, Interface 1/2, DISCiPLE, Multiface, Kempston mouse, ZX Printer, joysticks Beta 128/TR-DOS, +3 floppy drives, DivMMC, tape deck, Kempston mouse, game controllers
Our review
Pros
  • Emulates classic Spectrum models and ZX Spectrum Next
  • Supports snapshots, tapes, disks, cartridges, and RZX recording
  • Offers graphical, telnet, headless, and reverse debugging
  • Supports tape, disk, cartridge, microdrive and RZX files
  • Includes shaders, recording, cheats and remappable controller controls
  • Offers library metadata scraping, catalog browsing and DivMMC emulation
Cons
  • Spectrum Next emulation requires separately downloaded licensed ROMs
  • Host platform coverage is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Its advanced debugging focus may exceed casual emulation needs
  • Runs on Android 11 and later only
  • Does not include a debugger
  • Desktop platforms are not supported
Our verdict

zx_go is an open-source desktop emulator for classic Sinclair systems and ZX Spectrum Next. It covers the 48K, 128K, +2, +2A and +3 models, along with the Pentagon, Spectrum Next and SAM Coupé. The project is aimed at users who want more…

Read the review →

Zedex is a free, open-source ZX Spectrum emulator for Android 11 and later. It supports Sinclair, Timex, Pentagon, Scorpion and Spectrum SE machines, including 48k, 128k, plus2 and plus3 models. The app is aimed at Android users who want…

Read the review →
  1. zx_goZX Spectrum Emulators 9.2Open source
  2. ZedexZX Spectrum Emulators 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • zx_go — where it wins

    • Emulates classic Spectrum models and ZX Spectrum Next
    • Supports snapshots, tapes, disks, cartridges, and RZX recording
    • Offers graphical, telnet, headless, and reverse debugging

    Where it doesn't

    • Spectrum Next emulation requires separately downloaded licensed ROMs
    • Host platform coverage is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Its advanced debugging focus may exceed casual emulation needs

  • Zedex — where it wins

    • Supports tape, disk, cartridge, microdrive and RZX files
    • Includes shaders, recording, cheats and remappable controller controls
    • Offers library metadata scraping, catalog browsing and DivMMC emulation

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Android 11 and later only
    • Does not include a debugger
    • Desktop platforms are not supported
  • zx_go9.2/10 · Open source

    A deep desktop emulator for classic Spectrum systems, Next support, peripherals, and debugging.

    Visit zx_goFull verdict →
  • Zedex8.3/10 · Free plan

    A feature-rich free Android emulator for gaming, media capture and library browsing.

    Visit ZedexFull verdict →

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