- 1Runs onLinux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan
- 3Host platformsGNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin
- 4Tape formatsRWA, SMP, WAV, TZX, PZX, CDT, TAP, P, P81, O, CAS
- 5Snapshot formatsZSF, ZX, Z80, SP, SPG, NEX, SNA, P, P81, O, Z81, ACE
- 6Built-in debuggerYes
- 7Open sourceYes
- 8Peripheral supportjoysticks, steering wheel, ZX Printer, light guns, light pen, Kempston mouse, ZX Microdrive, MMC/SD interfaces, IDE interfaces, DivMMC, DivIDE, Dandanator, SamRam, LEC Memory, HiLow DataDrive
Overview
ZEsarUX is free, open-source emulation software for Sinclair computers and other systems, including ZX Spectrum, ZX80, ZX81, QL, Z88, Amstrad, MSX, ColecoVision, and Sega machines. For Spectrum emulation, its listed details include timing behavior, undocumented Z80 flags and registers, contended memory, and ULA timing. It handles tape, snapshot, floppy, microdrive, MMC/SD, IDE, and cartridge formats, and can capture audio and video to files. Debugging tools include reverse debugging, CPU history, breakpoints, watches, assembler and disassembler views, and memory inspection. Its Network Gaming protocol supports multiplayer across up to 16 emulator instances or through a central online server. The remote command protocol can be used with a telnet client, and the project mentions enhanced debugging from Visual Studio Code via DeZog. Text-to-speech software can read the emulator menu and captured game text. Host platforms include GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, and Cygwin; a Docker image is also linked. ZEsarUX is distributed under GNU GPL v3 and costs nothing to use. Included third-party ROMs, media, programs, and games are not covered by that license.
Who it is for
ZEsarUX suits people looking to emulate the listed Sinclair and other machines, or to use emulator debugging and media tools. Its text-to-speech support may also suit users who want the menu or captured game text read aloud.
What is good
- Emulates Sinclair, Amstrad, MSX, ColecoVision, and Sega systems.
- Includes reverse debugging and memory inspection.
- Supports audio and video capture to files.
- Network Gaming supports up to 16 emulator instances.
- Free software under GNU GPL v3.
What to know first
- Third-party ROMs and other included content are outside the GPL license.
- Host platform releases vary; listed platforms include Cygwin and Raspberry Pi.
Verdict
ZEsarUX offers a wide range of emulated systems alongside debugging, media, and multiplayer tools. Note that included third-party content is not covered by its GNU GPL v3 license.
ZEsarUX plans and pricing
All plansCompared on ZX spectrum emulators
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Host platforms
- GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwingithub.com
- Tape formats
- RWA, SMP, WAV, TZX, PZX, CDT, TAP, P, P81, O, CASgithub.com
- Snapshot formats
- ZSF, ZX, Z80, SP, SPG, NEX, SNA, P, P81, O, Z81, ACEgithub.com
- Built-in debugger
- Yesgithub.com
- Open source
- Yesgithub.com
- Peripheral support
- joysticks, steering wheel, ZX Printer, light guns, light pen, Kempston mouse, ZX Microdrive, MMC/SD interfaces, IDE interfaces, DivMMC, DivIDE, Dandanator, SamRam, LEC Memory, HiLow DataDrivegithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- ZEsarUX is an emulator for Sinclair computers and other machines, including ZX Spectrum, ZX80, ZX81, QL, Z88, Amstrad, MSX, ColecoVision, and Sega systems.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- License
- The source code and binaries are distributed under GNU GPL v3, and the project says it is free software that costs nothing to use.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Accuracy
- The feature list includes Spectrum timing emulation, undocumented Z80 flags and registers, contended memory, and ULA timing behavior.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Media support
- It supports tape, snapshot, floppy, microdrive, MMC/SD, IDE, and cartridge formats, with audio and video capture to files.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Debugging
- Debug tools include reverse debugging, CPU history, breakpoints, watches, assembler and disassembler views, and memory inspection.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Multiplayer
- Its ZEsarUX Network Gaming protocol supports multiplayer through up to 16 emulator instances or a central online server.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Developer integration
- The ZEsarUX remote command protocol can be used with a telnet client, and the project mentions enhanced debugging from Visual Studio Code via DeZog.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Accessibility
- Print-character traps can capture game text and send it to text-to-speech software, and the emulator menu can also be read by text-to-speech software.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Operating systems
- The maker lists binary releases for GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, and Raspberry Pi, and also links a Docker image.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Other tested systems
- The project says it has also been tested on AROS, FiwixOS, Minix3, and Sortix.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Third-party content
- The project notes that included third-party ROMs, media, programs, and games are not covered by the GNU GPL license.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The repository asks users to read the included feature, installation, and history documents; it provides a YouTube channel and donation link.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Latest release
- The GitHub releases page lists ZEsarUX 13.0, released on June 9, 2026.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Best ZEsarUX alternatives
See all 20
Where it ranks on Specifiction
Is ZEsarUX yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- github.com/chernandezba/zesarux· checked 30 Sept 2026
- github.com/chernandezba/zesarux/releases· checked 30 Sept 2026