GZX
Ranked in ZX Spectrum Emulators ·Free plan
About
GZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator for Windows, Linux and HelenOS. It emulates the 48K, 128K, +2 and +2A models, with Kempston joystick support and emulation of the built-in MIDI port on the 128K Spectrum. The emulator can read, write and convert TZX, TAP and WAV tape formats, and supports Z80, SNA and AY snapshots. Graphics options include double-line mode, ULAplus and Spec256 emulation. GZX can record audio to WAV files as well as data sent to I/O ports, and it includes a built-in debugger. Most of the project—including source code, binaries, font and documentation—is free software under an MIT-style license; ZX Spectrum ROM files are excluded. The 2019.1 binary release supports 64-bit Linux and Windows. Building requires a GNU toolchain and SDL 1.2 development package on Linux or a similar operating system. Some games do not work, and many turbo-loading games from TZX fail to load. The listed plan is 0.00 USD per free.
Who it is for
GZX suits users seeking a free Spectrum emulator with tape conversion, snapshot support and a built-in debugger. Builders can also work from source with the listed GNU toolchain and SDL 1.2 development package.
What is good
- Emulates four Spectrum models, including +2A.
- Reads, writes and converts TZX, TAP and WAV.
- Includes a built-in debugger.
- Most of the project is MIT-style free software.
- Supports Kempston joystick and 128K MIDI port.
What to know first
- Some games do not work.
- Many turbo-loading games from TZX fail to load.
- ZX Spectrum ROM files are excepted from the license.
- 2019.1 binaries support 64-bit Linux and Windows.
Verdict
GZX covers several Spectrum models, tape formats and graphics options, with recording and debugging tools included. Its stated game compatibility limits and ROM-file exception are worth noting before choosing it.
Compared on ZX spectrum emulators
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Host platforms
- Windows, Linux, HelenOSgithub.com
- Tape formats
- TZX, TAP, WAVgithub.com
- Snapshot formats
- Z80, SNA, AYgithub.com
- Built-in debugger
- Yesgithub.com
- Open source
- Yesgithub.com
- Peripheral support
- Kempston joystick, MIDI portgithub.com
Facts
- What it does
- GZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Supported models
- It emulates ZX Spectrum 48K, 128K, +2 and +2A models.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The emulator runs in Windows, Linux and HelenOS.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Joystick
- It provides Kempston joystick emulation.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- Features include double-line mode, ULAplus emulation and Spec256 emulation.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- MIDI
- It emulates the built-in MIDI port of the 128K Spectrum.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Recording
- It can record audio to WAV files and data sent to I/O ports.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Debugger
- The emulator includes a built-in debugger.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building requires a GNU toolchain and SDL 1.2 development package on Linux or a similar operating system.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Release support
- The 2019.1 binary release supports 64-bit Linux and Windows.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- Some games still do not work and many turbo-loading games from TZX fail to load.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- License
- Most of the emulator, including source code, binaries, font and documentation, is free software under an MIT-style license.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
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Sources
- github.com/jxsvoboda/gzx· checked 1 Oct 2026
- github.com/jxsvoboda/gzx/releases· checked 1 Oct 2026