Power64 vs VICE
Power64
infinite-loop.atVICE
vice-emu.sourceforge.ioSide by side
| Figure | Power64 | VICE |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Commodore 64 Emulators | 8.3 (#4) | 8.2 (#6) |
| Purpose | Power64 emulates the Commodore 64 so users can run C64 software on an Apple Macintosh. | VICE runs programs intended for classic 8-bit Commodore computers. |
| Security and warranty | The author provides Power64 as-is, says to use it at the user's own risk, and disclaims responsibility for damages or lost profits caused by hidden code errors. | The project describes VICE as free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later and provides it without warranty. |
| Support | The download page provides the author's support email and says he will try to help with download problems, including by sending Power64 by email. | 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
Power64
- Power64 registration$30, paid once
- Power64 single user license$32, paid once
In their own words
Power64
Power64 emulates the Commodore 64 for running C64 software on an Apple Macintosh. It models the MOS 6510 processor, including illegal opcodes, and provides cycle-precise VIC video features and SID sound with a reSID interface. Drive emulation covers 1541, 1571, and 1581 systems, alongside disk and tape images including D64, X64, G41, D71, D81, T64, TAP, and Lynx. Macintosh access supports C64 and P00 files. Input options include USB or mapped keyboard joysticks, mouse, paddles, and lightpen. Users can mount disks by drag and drop, copy files among disks, tapes, and the Mac hard disk, use the built-in monitor/debugger, and run multiple C64 instances. Version 4.9.5 targets PowerPC and runs on Intel Macs only through Rosetta; it does not work on OS X 10.7. The unregistered version allows ten-minute sessions. Registration costs $32, paid once.
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.