emudore vs VirtualC64

emudore is a Commodore 64 emulator for Linux, Windows, macOS, and browsers. Written in C++11 with SDL2, it can load PRG files and enter BASIC listings; its BASIC ROM runs, and most simple programs work without issues. Browser demos include one that starts in CBM BASIC and another that loads a Monopole PRG. Its VIC-II graphics support covers four of the five official modes, plus smooth scrolling, sprites, raster interrupts, and badlines. Screen refresh synchronizes to approximately 50 Hz for PAL. Debug builds on Linux and macOS can use radare2 to read and modify emulator memory. The project is free and open source under Apache 2.0. Some compatibility limits are explicit: special keys are unavailable for BASIC listings, undocumented MOS 6510 opcodes are unsupported, and incomplete hardware emulation and non-pixel-exact visuals can affect advanced games and demos. SID sound and VIC-1541 floppy drive support are among the maker’s stated future aims.

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.