- 1Runs onAndroid, Linux, Mac, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan
- 3Netplay supportYes
Overview
VICE runs programs made for classic Commodore 8-bit computers by emulating eight systems: C64, C64DTV, C128, VIC20, PET, PLUS4, SCPU64 and CBM-II. It aims for cycle-accurate operation, with 6502/6510 emulation covering documented and undocumented opcodes and precise timing. For C64 software, its emulators reproduce VIC-II video and SID sound, including synchronization, ring modulation and filters. Disk support covers up to four external drives, using disk images, filesystem directories or compatible real devices; joystick input can come from a keyboard or a host-connected joystick. VICE is available on Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, and is free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later. The download page lists Windows builds and macOS builds for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs; the latter require macOS 12.0 or later. Android binaries are listed separately. The manual warns that six systems—the C64DTV, C128, PET, PLUS4, SCPU64 and CBM-II—remain under construction and may be less capable than the C64 or VIC20 emulators.
Who it is for
VICE suits people who want to run software written for classic Commodore 8-bit computers on Android, Linux, macOS or Windows. It is also relevant to users who want disk-drive support or cycle-accurate emulation.
What is good
- Emulates eight classic Commodore systems.
- Aims for cycle-accurate emulation.
- C64 emulation includes VIC-II video and SID sound.
- Supports up to four external disk drives.
- Free under GNU GPL version 2 or later.
What to know first
- Six emulators are still under construction.
- Mac builds require macOS 12.0 or later.
- Distributed without warranty.
Verdict
VICE covers a broad set of Commodore systems, with detailed C64 video, sound and disk support. Several emulators are still under construction, so their capabilities may vary.
VICE plans and pricing
All plansCompared on multi-system emulators
- Free plan
- Yesvice-emu.sourceforge.io
- Netplay support
- Yesvice-emu.sourceforge.io
Facts
- Purpose
- VICE runs programs intended for old 8-bit computers by emulating Commodore systems.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Emulated systems
- The package emulates the C64, C64DTV, C128, VIC20, PET, PLUS4, SCPU64, and CBM-II computers.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Emulation accuracy
- VICE aims for cycle accuracy, and its emulators provide 6502/6510 emulation with documented and undocumented opcodes and accurate timing.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- C64 video and sound
- The C64 emulators provide VIC-II video emulation and SID sound emulation, including features such as synchronization, ring modulation, and filters.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Disk drives
- The emulators support up to four external disk drives and can use disk images, filesystem directories, or compatible real devices.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Related tools
- The site lists C64 Studio, vice bridge .net, and several debugger projects as examples that use VICE's binary monitor interface.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Desktop downloads
- The download page offers Windows builds and macOS builds for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs; the Mac builds require macOS 12.0 or later.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Android availability
- The download page links to a separate page for Android binaries.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- License
- VICE is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the recipient's option, any later version.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Warranty
- VICE is distributed without warranty, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- The team directs bug reports, suggestions, and support requests to SourceForge trackers and also accepts reports by email.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Support limits
- The developers say they work on VICE in their spare time and ask users to check the manual before contacting them.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Known emulation limits
- The manual cautions that the C64DTV, C128, PET, PLUS4, SCPU64, and CBM-II emulators are still under construction and may not be as capable as the C64 or VIC20 emulators.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 29 Sept 2026
- Accuracy
- VICE aims for cycle-accurate emulation and says it tries to reproduce chip timings as precisely as possible.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Peripheral support
- The emulators support up to four external disk drives and can use disk images, filesystem directories, or compatible real devices.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Input
- Joystick input can come from the keyboard or a joystick connected to the host machine.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The stable binary monitor interface is used by third-party tools including C64 Studio and debugger projects.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists Windows 64-bit GTK3 and SDL2 builds and macOS 12.0 or later builds for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Linux builds
- The download page directs users of other Unix-based systems to its Unix download page.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Android
- The site lists Android binaries under old binary distributions and links to an Android download page.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Security and warranty
- The project describes VICE as free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later and provides it without warranty.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Known limitations
- The manual warns that the C64DTV, C128, PET, PLUS4, SCPU64, and CBM-II emulators are still under construction and may be less capable than C64 or VIC20 emulation.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Intended audience
- VICE is for people who want to run software written for classic Commodore 8-bit computers on supported host systems.vice-emu.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
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Sources
- vice-emu.sourceforge.io· checked 29 Sept 2026
- vice-emu.sourceforge.io/vice_1.html· checked 29 Sept 2026