POKE64 vs VICE
POKE64
alexain.github.ioVICE
vice-emu.sourceforge.ioSide by side
| Figure | POKE64 | VICE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Commodore 64 Emulators | 7.1 (#19) | 8.2 (#6) |
| Disk drives | It offers fast virtual disk access or True Drive emulation and supports multiple IEC drives, including units 8 through 11. | The emulators support up to four external disk drives and can use disk images, filesystem directories, or compatible real devices. |
| Intended audience | The product is designed for people who want a touch-oriented iPad C64 workspace with access to emulated drives and hardware expansions. | VICE is for people who want to run software written for classic Commodore 8-bit computers on supported host systems. |
| Purpose | POKE64 is a native Commodore 64 emulator for iPad built on the VICE x64sc core. | VICE runs programs intended for classic 8-bit Commodore computers. |
| Support | During beta, GitHub Issues is the preferred channel for technical reports and reproducible bug reports. | The project directs bug reports, suggestions, and support requests to its SourceForge trackers or team mailing list, and notes development is done in spare time. |
Plans
In their own words
VICE
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.