GSSquared

Freemium#7 of 20 in Apple II Emulators

GSSquared: Broad Apple II-family coverage, with flexible disk support and a desktop debugger. Ranked #7 of 20 in Apple II Emulators by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for users wanting broad Apple II and IIgs coverage.

7.9/10Editor score

Visit GSSquared

GSSquared7.9 Visit GSSquared

At a glance

Editor score
7.9 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Users wanting broad Apple II and IIgs coverage
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
$40 one-time
Apple II model coverage
Multi-model
Facts checked
14 Nov 2026

Where it wins
- Emulates Apple II, Apple II+, Apple IIe variants, and Apple IIgs systems
- Loads a wide range of disk images and supports SmartPort storage
- Desktop builds include an integrated debugger for CPU, memory, video, and devices
Where it doesn't
- The integrated debugger is available only on desktop builds
- Gamepad support may not suit users who need other input options
- The $40 shareware contribution is suggested, so it does not buy a separate paid tier

Our verdict on GSSquared

GSSquared is an emulator for the Apple II family, spanning Apple II, Apple II+, Apple IIe variants, and Apple IIgs systems. It is aimed at people who want to run classic Apple II software on current computers, with desktop versions for macOS, Windows, and Linux plus a browser version for quick use. That breadth makes it a fit for users moving among several Apple II models or wanting to try the emulator in a browser before choosing a desktop build.

Disk and machine configuration are central to its appeal. GSSquared loads disk images in formats including .dsk, .po, .woz, .2mg, .hdv, .img, .hda, and .iso, and it supports SmartPort storage and multi-volume hard-drive collections. Custom machine profiles and .gs2pack bundles can package a machine configuration with disks. Display options include composite, IIgs RGB, monochrome, and optional CRT effects; sound support includes Mockingboard music and IIgs Ensoniq. Input options cover USB and Bluetooth gamepads, joystick or paddle input, and mouse-as-joystick, giving users several ways to match controls to the software they run.

The software is free to download and use; according to the vendor's pricing page, the $40 Shareware contribution is suggested rather than required. The contribution covers individual use on any number of computers and is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. A notable distinction is that the integrated debugger—covering CPU execution, memory, video, and device inspection—is limited to desktop builds, so browser-only users should not choose GSSquared specifically for debugging. Choose it for broad Apple II and IIgs coverage, varied disk support, and configurable input; consider another option if browser-based debugging is essential.

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

GSSquared pricing

Plans Free planFreemium A usable free plan; paid tiers unlock the limits above. Prices checked 14 Nov 2026.

See plans on gssquared.net

All 1 GSSquared plans and prices →

GSSquared fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	$40 one-time
Apple II model coverage	Multi-model
Host platform	Cross-platform
Disk image formats	.do, .po, .dsk, .nib, .2mg, .woz 1.0, .woz 2.0, .hdv, .img, .hda, .iso, .pmap
Built-in debugger	Yes
Save states	Not verified
Joystick support	Yes
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan (source)
Website	gssquared.net
Facts checked	14 Nov 2026

Alternatives to GSSquared

See all GSSquared alternatives →

GSSquared vs the competition

Compare GSSquared with any tool side by side →

Used GSSquared? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used GSSquared for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Title

Your review

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Pros (optional · one per line)

Cons (optional · one per line)

Your name (shown with your review)

Role (optional)

Company (optional)

How long have you used it?

I've used GSSquared myself and this is my honest opinion — nobody paid or asked me to write it.

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

GSSquared is listed in our Apple II Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/gssquared/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/gssquared.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 14 Nov 2026 · How we research and update