C64 Forever vs VirtualC64
C64 Forever
c64forever.comVirtualC64
dirkwhoffmann.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | C64 Forever | VirtualC64 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Commodore 64 Emulators | 8.2 (#5) | 7.9 (#9) |
| Maker | The site identifies Cloanto as the maker and describes it as a developer and publisher of Commodore and Amiga software since the 1980s. | The site's imprint identifies Prof. Dr. Dirk W. Hoffmann at Hochschule Karlsruhe in Karlsruhe, Germany. |
| Privacy | Cloanto says personal data is not sold or forwarded to unrelated third parties except in response to legitimate law enforcement or government requests. | The maker's privacy notice says the website can be visited without registration and that personal data is collected voluntarily where possible. |
| Purpose | C64 Forever is an official CBM 8-bit preservation, emulation, and support package. | VirtualC64 turns an Apple Macintosh into a Commodore 64 emulator. |
| Support | Cloanto says it maintains and supports the product, and directs technical support requests to the product FAQ, troubleshooting, support, and contact sections. | The official site links to GitHub Issues and Discussions for the project. |
Plans
C64 Forever
- Free Express EditionFree
- Downloadable Plus Edition Upgrade$9.95, paid once
- Downloadable Plus Edition$19.95, paid once
- Boxed Plus Edition Upgrade (Includes Download)$24.95, paid once
- Boxed Plus Edition (Includes Download)$39.95, paid once
In their own words
C64 Forever
C64 Forever is a Windows package for preserving and emulating Commodore 8-bit software. It emulates C64 hardware and systems including PET, VIC-20, C16, Plus/4 and C128, with legal CBM system ROMs. A built-in catalog holds configuration data for more than 5,000 titles and receives online updates through the RetroPlatform Library. The package includes more than 200 games and demoscene productions with permission from their creators. RP9 combines a title into a single file for one-click playback, and the title editor can create or modify self-contained RP9 packages. Input options include USB and Xbox controllers, X-Arcade, I-PAC, customizable keyboard layouts, touchscreen gestures and an onscreen keyboard. The feature list also names clipboard, Windows File Explorer and Search integration. The free Express Edition is feature-limited. The downloadable Plus Edition costs 19.95 USD once and adds features including saved states, simultaneous playback windows and image building. Listed requirements include Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 or Vista, or equivalent Windows Server editions, on x86 or x64 systems.
VirtualC64
VirtualC64 turns an Apple Macintosh into a Commodore 64 emulator, supporting PAL and NTSC systems with emphasis on PAL accuracy and cycle-accurate emulation. It includes a built-in debugger and supports the PAL C64, NTSC C64, C64 II PAL, and C64 II NTSC variants. Media formats include D64, T64, PRG, P00, G64, TAP, and CRT. Joystick input can come from the keyboard or an external USB device; named options include Sony DualShock 4 controllers and the RetroFun! USB adapter for original Commodore joysticks. VirtualC64 is free and open source under the GNU General Public License, while its CPU core uses the MIT license. The core is designed for WebAssembly and can run in a browser, although macOS is the listed supported platform. On first launch, users are prompted to add four ROM images, which are not pre-installed because their copyright status is unclear. Recent versions include free ROM replacements from the Mega65 project, installable through the ROM configuration panel.