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ESPectrum

Free#17 of 23 in ZX Spectrum Emulators

ESPectrum: A focused, cycle-accurate Spectrum emulator for dedicated ESP32 hardware. Ranked #17 of 23 in ZX Spectrum Emulators by our editors (7.5/10); pricing: Open source; best for dedicated ESP32 hardware emulation.

7.5/10Editor score

Visit ESPectrum

ESPectrum7.5 Visit ESPectrum

At a glance

Editor score
7.5 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Dedicated ESP32 hardware emulation
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
21 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Cycle-accurate emulation across several Spectrum variants
- Tape, snapshot and Betadisk support with multiple formats
- VGA, CRT, PS/2, joystick, mouse and SD-card support
Where it doesn't
- Requires compatible Espressif ESP32-powered hardware
- Not designed for conventional desktop or mobile operating systems
- Peripheral and display support depends on compatible hardware

Our verdict on ESPectrum

ESPectrum is an open-source ZX Spectrum emulator for hobbyists using compatible Espressif ESP32-powered boards. It emulates the ZX Spectrum 48K, 128K, Amstrad +2A and Pentagon 128K, along with Microdigital TK90X and TK95 systems. The project is aimed at people building or operating dedicated hardware with VGA or CRT displays, PS/2 input devices and SD storage rather than users seeking a desktop or mobile application.

Its strongest area is emulation breadth within that hardware setting. Cycle-accurate emulation is paired with realtime TZX and TAP tape loading, SNA, Z80, SP and custom ESP snapshot loading and saving, plus Betadisk emulation with TRD and SCL support. SD-card navigation includes folders and search, while custom ROM flashing from the SD card adds flexibility for hardware-based collections. VGA and CRT 15 kHz output modes also suit different display setups, and the project includes PS/2 keyboard, joystick and mouse support, DB9 joystick support and audio input compatibility.

The main trade-off is platform access. ESPectrum runs on compatible ESP32 hardware, so choosing it involves a self-hosted device and the peripherals needed for the intended configuration. That makes it a good fit for dedicated Spectrum recreations, CRT-focused setups and users who value hardware control, but a poor fit for anyone wanting quick access on a conventional computer or mobile device. Choose ESPectrum for cycle-accurate emulation and physical hardware integration; choose a different emulator if broad operating-system availability is the priority.

Your product? Our editors can test ESPectrum in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

ESPectrum pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

ESPectrum fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Supported Spectrum models	Not verified
Host platforms	Espressif ESP32-powered boards
Tape formats	TAP, TZX
Snapshot formats	SNA, Z80, SP, ESP, P
Built-in debugger	Not verified
Open source	Yes
Peripheral support	PS/2 keyboards, PS/2 joysticks, DB9 joysticks, PS/2 mouse, Betadisk, SD card, VGA display, CRT display, audio input
Deployment	Self-hosted
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Open source
Website	github.com
Facts checked	21 Sep 2026

Alternatives to ESPectrum

See all ESPectrum alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

ESPectrum is listed in our ZX Spectrum Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update