Comparison

Disaster Detector vs Sandbox XL

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Disaster Detector

This educational game allows players to predict and prepare for natural disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes. By analyzing data from various scientific tools, users can help cities mitigate damage and save citizens. It's designed for learning but fun for all ages.

Highlights
  • Predict tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and hurricanes
  • Analyze data from Doppler radar, anemometers, barometers, and seismometers
  • Learn to forecast events using current and historical data
  • Generate printable reports
  • Suitable for classroom or home use
  • Audio and text interplay
Features
Read full description

The citizens of Smithsonville are in dire need of a Disaster Detector! Help Smithsonville and other cities predict and prepare for natural disasters. Use tools to make predictions and save the city from damage by helping citizens prepare properly. Are you up for the challenge? From the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Disaster Detector teaches players how to analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and how to implement tools to mitigate the effects of those disasters. FEATURES - Prepare the city for possible tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and hurricanes - Analyze data from tools such as Doppler radar, anemometers, barometers, and seismometer - Players learn how to analyze current and historical data to make predictions - Printable reports - For use in the classroom or at home - Aligned to national science standards for middle school but great for players of any age - Audio and text interplay

About

Sandbox XL

Engage in a fun, physics-based sandbox game where you can interact with numerous elements like water, magma, and fire. Simulate natural phenomena to create volcanoes, lakes, and geysers, and enjoy experimenting with the laws of nature.

Highlights
  • Physics-based sandbox gameplay
  • Interact with water, magma, acid, sand, fire, gunpowder, oil, wood
  • Create volcanoes, lakes, seas, geysers
  • Simulate physical phenomena
  • Experiment with nature's laws
Features
Read full description

Have fun with Sandbox XL an addictive physics-based sandbox style game. You can interact with various elements such as water, magma, acid, sand, fire, gunpowder, oil, wood and more. Create volcanoes, lakes, seas, geysers by simulating physical phenomena and enjoying yourself with the nature's laws.

Screenshots

Sandbox XL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Disaster Detector at none against Sandbox XL's 1. Disaster Detector also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.1 vs 3.7). Sandbox XL's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sandbox XL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Disaster Detector asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Disaster Detector holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 59 and 53 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Disaster Detector's written reviews are positive against 61% of Sandbox XL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Disaster Detector ships an update every 3 months, Sandbox XL every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Disaster Detector versus Sandbox XL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDisaster DetectorSandbox XL
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (59 ratings) — better3.7 (53 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better60.7% of reviews
Number of ratings59 — better53
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmithsonian InstitutionRaffaele Amuso

Customer experience

Disaster Detector

All ratings54 ratings
Positive74.1%
Neutral9.3%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Sandbox XL

All ratings52 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral5.8%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive60.7%
Neutral10.7%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

None

Disaster Detector

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sandbox XL

One-time1
  • Remove ad$1.99

Questions

Is Disaster Detector free?
Disaster Detector is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sandbox XL free?
Sandbox XL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Disaster Detector or Sandbox XL?
Disaster Detector is rated higher. Disaster Detector averages 4.1 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while Sandbox XL averages 3.7 from 53 ratings.
Do Disaster Detector or Sandbox XL have ads?
Sandbox XL shows ads; Disaster Detector does not.
Which is updated more often, Disaster Detector or Sandbox XL?
Disaster Detector ships an update every 3 months, and Sandbox XL every 3 weeks. Most recently, Disaster Detector was updated on October 24, 2026 and Sandbox XL on October 23, 2026.

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