VICE
A long-running emulator for Commodore 8-bit computers, including the C64, C128, VIC-20, PET and Plus/4.
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About VICE
VICE, the Versatile Commodore Emulator, runs programs written for Commodore's 8-bit machines. It covers the C64, C64DTV, C128, VIC-20, almost all PET models, the Plus/4 and the CBM-II, with a separate emulator for a C64 fitted with the CMD SuperCPU.
Current builds are available for Windows and macOS in GTK3 and SDL2 versions, and source releases compile on Unix-like systems. Version 3.10 was released in December 2025. A range of third-party debuggers and development tools connect to it.
Strengths
- Covers almost the whole Commodore 8-bit range
- Separate SuperCPU emulator for the C64
- GTK3 and SDL2 builds for Windows and macOS
- Supported by third-party debuggers and IDEs
Limitations
- Ports for older systems such as DOS and OS/2 are stuck on old versions
- Many machine options to learn
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source, developed by volunteers.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Developer
- The VICE Team
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Running and developing Commodore 64 and other Commodore 8-bit software
- Categories
- Emulators
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to VICE
Compare allSoftware that can replace VICE for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
MAME
Documents and recreates thousands of arcade machines, consoles and old computers, with accuracy as the point.
MAME covers thousands of arcade, console and computer systems in one program with accuracy as its priority, but it lacks VICE's focused Commodore 8-bit tooling.
Clock Signal
A latency-focused emulator covering dozens of 8- and 16-bit home computers and game consoles.
Clock Signal covers dozens of 8- and 16-bit home computers and consoles with a focus on low latency, but runs on macOS and Linux, not Windows.
RetroArch
One front end for dozens of emulators, with unified settings, shaders and a controller setup you only do once.
RetroArch runs emulator cores under one front end with shared settings and shaders, and adds Android and iOS, though standalone emulators are sometimes more accurate.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Fuse
The Free Unix Spectrum Emulator, an accurate emulator for the ZX Spectrum family and its clones.
ZEsarUX
An emulator for Sinclair machines, including the ZX Spectrum, ZX81, QL and Z88, plus many clones.
Atari800
A portable, free emulator for Atari 8-bit computers and the Atari 5200 console.
Amiberry
An Amiga emulator built on the WinUAE core, optimized for ARM and x86 hardware.
WinUAE
A detailed Commodore Amiga emulator for Windows that reproduces the Amiga chipsets closely.
openMSX
An open-source MSX computer emulator that aims for accurate emulation, with a built-in GUI and debugger.
