17.8
Portable ZX Spectrum emulator for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows with Z80 and 128K support.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSLinux
Best ZX Spectrum Emulators in 2026
Unreal Speccy Portable leads this chart of 23 (7.8/10, free plan). Avidemux is next (7.3/10, free plan), and Klive IDE is the next highest-placed with a free plan (7.2/10). ZX Spectrum emulators run software made for Spectrum computers; choose by the Spectrum models and file formats supported, then check host platforms and controls. On a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet, confirm that an emulator has an Android version before choosing it. Android support is listed separately from Windows, Linux, macOS and iOS.
27.3
Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOS
37.2
Free IDE combining Sinclair machine emulation with Z80 Assembly, ZX BASIC and SJASMPLUS tools.
Free planOpen sourceAPIExtensionLinux
- 4
JNEXT
JNEXT is a free, open-source emulator for running ZX Spectrum software, including 48K, 128K, +2A/+3, and ZX Spectrum Next Issue 2 machines.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.6Free plan - 5
Spectaculator
Spectaculator is software for working with ZX Spectrum tape and snapshot files.
AndroidiOSWindows6.6$2.99 one-time - 6
SpeccyDate
Playdate-focused ZX Spectrum emulator for macOS and Windows with 48K and 128K modes.
Free planmacOSWindows6.3Free plan - 7
zx_go
zx_go is a free, open-source emulator for the Sinclair ZX80, ZX81, classic ZX Spectrum models, Pentagon, SAM Coupé and Spectrum Next.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.3Free plan - 8
Jam Pad
Jam Pad is an Android music studio for making beats and melodies, recording voice, importing sounds, and sharing tracks.
Android6.2 - 9
CSpect
Free Spectrum Next development tool that runs games and ZXNextOS with assembler and debugger features.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.0Free plan - 106.0Free plan
- 11
GZX
Spectrum emulator for Linux and Windows with Kempston joystick and TZX, TAP and WAV conversion.
Free planLinuxWindows6.0Free plan - 12
Spectral
Experimental Sinclair emulator with compatible TAP and TZX loading plus snapshot and disk support.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.0Free plan - 13
ZEsarUX
Free emulator for Sinclair and other systems, supporting many media formats plus audio and video capture.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.0Free plan - 14
ZX-Poly Emulator
ZX-Poly Emulator is a proof-of-concept emulator for a multi-CPU ZX-Spectrum 128 platform.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.0Free plan - 15
ESPectrum
ESPectrum is free, open-source firmware that emulates Sinclair ZX Spectrum computers on Espressif ESP32 boards.
Free planSelf-hosted5.6Free plan - 16
EightyOne
Windows emulator project whose latest release documents ZX80 and ZX81 emulation with debugging tools.
Windows5.5 - 17
RustZX
Rust program emulating 48K and 128K Spectrum models with tapes, snapshots, joysticks and quick saves.
LinuxWindows5.5 - 18
ZOT
ZOT is a free emulator for the Z80 CPU, ZX Spectrum 48K, and CP/M 2.2, using one shared Z80 core.
Linux5.4 - 195.3
- 20
SpeccyP
Open-source firmware that runs ZX Spectrum models on RP2040 and RP2350 boards.
5.3 - 21
Zedex
Zedex is a free ZX Spectrum emulator for Android, built with the Fuse emulator and a native front end.
Android5.3 - 224.3
- 234.3
Choosing well
Does it run on Android?
Check the host-platform details before choosing an emulator for a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet. Android availability is not implied by support for Windows, Linux or macOS.
Which Spectrum models does it support?
Compare the supported Spectrum models with the software you want to run. Emulator support can differ by model, so check that detail rather than relying on the general Spectrum label.
Can it load my tape or snapshot files?
Check the tape and snapshot formats listed for the emulator against the files you have. Format support is a separate consideration from which Spectrum models the emulator supports.
Does it support my peripherals or debugging needs?
If you need external controls or other peripherals, check the peripheral-support details. A built-in debugger may also matter if you want to inspect or troubleshoot software.
Is it free or open source?
Check the pricing and licence details separately: a free plan does not by itself mean that the software is open source. For example, zx_go and Klive IDE are listed as open source and free-plan options.
Questions people ask
Can I run a ZX Spectrum emulator on my Xiaomi phone?
Check the emulator's host-platform listing for Android. Android support is distinct from Windows, Linux, macOS and iOS support.
What should I check before downloading a Spectrum emulator?
Compare its supported Spectrum models, host platform, tape and snapshot formats, and any peripheral or debugger support you need.
Are ZX Spectrum emulators free?
The list includes free-plan and paid options. Check an individual emulator's pricing details before choosing it.
Are there open-source ZX Spectrum emulators?
Yes. zx_go and Klive IDE are listed as open source; check each tool's licence for its terms.
What file formats do ZX Spectrum emulators support?
Tape and snapshot formats vary by emulator. Check the format details for the emulator against the files you want to use.