Best ZX Spectrum Emulators in 2026
Updated
A ZX Spectrum emulator can run software associated with Spectrum computers in an emulated environment. Compare supported Spectrum models and host platforms with peripheral support, snapshot formats, and tape formats relevant to the software you want to use. A built-in debugger and open-source status may also matter, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing provide further comparison points. JNEXT, Unreal Speccy Portable, and CSpect are among the options, alongside GZX and Spectral. Check compatibility details against your intended use, then consider which host platforms and debugging features suit your setup.
13 of the 21 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JNEXTWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 2 | Unreal Speccy PortableWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 3 | zx_goWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | CSpectWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | GZXWindows · Linux | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | Klive IDEWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | SpeccyDateWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | SpectralWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | ZEsarUXWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 10 | ZX-Poly EmulatorWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 11 | Atari 5200DSNo platforms listed | Two bars | — | 0 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 12 | GoSpeccyLinux | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 13 | ESPectrumSelf-hosted | Two bars | — | 0 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 14 | EightyOneWindows | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 15 | RustZXWindows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 16 | ZOTLinux | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 17 | Jam PadAndroid | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 18 | JSSpeccy 3Web · Self-hosted | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 19 | ZedexAndroid | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 20 | SpeccyPNo platforms listed | One bar | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | SpectaculatorWindows · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
Compare all 21 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Supported Spectrum models | Host platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JNEXT | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| 2 | Unreal Speccy Portable | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | 128k | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android |
| 3 | zx_go | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | — | — | — | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 4 | CSpect | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 5 | GZX | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Windows, Linux, HelenOS |
| 6 | Klive IDE | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | — | — | — | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| 7 | SpeccyDate | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Playdate |
| 8 | Spectral | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| 9 | ZEsarUX | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin |
| 10 | ZX-Poly Emulator | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | — | — | 128k | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 11 | Atari 5200DS | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Nintendo DS, DSi, DS Lite, DSi XL, DSi LL |
| 12 | GoSpeccy | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | 48k | — |
| 13 | ESPectrum | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | — | — | — | Espressif ESP32-powered boards |
| 14 | EightyOne | 5.5 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Windows |
| 15 | RustZX | 5.5 | No | — | — | — | — | Linux, Windows |
| 16 | ZOT | 5.5 | No | — | Yes | — | 48k | Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040; Pimoroni Tufty 2040; PicoCalc |
| 17 | Jam Pad | 5.4 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 18 | JSSpeccy 3 | 5.4 | No | — | Yes | — | — | web browser |
| 19 | Zedex | 5.4 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Android 11 and later |
| 20 | SpeccyP | 5.3 | No | — | — | — | — | RP2040, RP2350A, RP2350B |
| 21 | Spectaculator | 5.2 | No | — | No | 2.99 one-time | — | Windows, iOS, Android |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.