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C64 by ChronoCoders vs Emu64

Both stand on commodore 64 emulators. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

C64 by ChronoCoders

Free plan LinuxWindows

Choose C64 by ChronoCoders if you want a free Commodore 64 emulator with a separately modelled 1541 drive and configurable controls. Look elsewhere if you need bundled ROM images or save states that transfer across different builds and platforms.

Visit C64 by ChronoCoders

Emu64

Free plan LinuxWindows

Choose Emu64 if you want a free, open-source Commodore 64 emulator for Windows or Linux, particularly for its debugger, file formats, and configurable memory options. Look elsewhere if you need an emulator for a different platform or a different computer.

Visit Emu64

The facts

C64 by ChronoCodersEmu64
Free planYesYes
Open sourceNot publishedNot published
Runs onLinux, WindowsLinux, Windows
Lowest paid planNot publishedNot published
Plans publishedNoneNone
MakerNot publishedNot published
Websitegithub.comthorsten-kattanek.de
On commodore 64 emulators#10 of 31#14 of 31

C64 by ChronoCoders: what it does well

  • Free to use under the repository's MIT-licensed source code.
  • Models the computer and 1541 drive on separate clock domains.
  • Supports VIC-II graphics features and SID 6581 sound.
  • Can write disk changes back to D64 images on clean exit.
  • Supports keyboard, joystick, and SDL-recognized game controllers.

What to know first

  • Users must supply their own legally obtained C64 ROM images.
  • The GUI binary requires a C11 compiler and SDL2.
  • Save-state snapshots require matching platform, build, endianness, and compiler ABI.

Emu64: what it does well

  • Free and open source under GPLv2.
  • Runs on Windows and Linux.
  • Supports six listed disk and tape formats.
  • Includes a built-in debugger.
  • Offers SDL2-based audio and video output.

What to know first

  • Emulates the Commodore 64.
  • The listed platforms are Windows and Linux.
  • Linux builds require several libraries, including Qt and FFmpeg.

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