Apple IIe Emulator review
A free, open-source Apple IIe emulator with disk support and saved machine states.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Apple IIe Emulator is a desktop emulator for the Apple IIe, aimed at people who want to run Apple IIe software on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The project is written in C++20 with SDL2 and is open source under the MIT license. Its scope is deliberately focused: it emulates the 65C02 CPU and Apple IIe memory system rather than a wider range of Apple II models.
Disk handling is a central part of the feature set. The Disk II controller supports two drives and reads and writes .dsk, .do, .po, and .nib images, while Microsoft SoftCard Z80 emulation adds CP/M support. Users can also save and load whole-machine states, useful when preserving a session's state matters. Display options include 40- and 80-column text, several Apple IIe graphics modes, a colour or green-phosphor monitor, and a CRT display effect. Paddle and joystick input can come from a mouse or game controller; headless mode supports scripted runs.
The project is free and open source, with ready-made downloads for the three stated desktop platforms as well as source code. That makes it a fit for solo users and small projects seeking a focused emulator with disk read/write, CP/M, input, and state-saving support. Its narrow model coverage is the main trade-off: users looking for emulation beyond the Apple IIe should consider an alternative. The stated feature set does not establish debugger support, so users who need a verified debugger should look elsewhere.
Apple IIe Emulator pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with source code under the MIT license
- Reads and writes .dsk, .do, .po, and .nib disk images
- Supports CP/M through SoftCard Z80 emulation and saves whole-machine states
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on Apple IIe emulation rather than covering other Apple II models
- Desktop deployment may not suit users seeking a browser-based emulator
- No verified debugger is part of its stated feature set
Apple IIe Emulator fact sheet, pricing and score →
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