# NetSim vs ShellMaster

The clearest difference is price: NetSim at Free against ShellMaster's $5.99. NetSim also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). ShellMaster's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 41 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

NetSim is free to download; ShellMaster costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

NetSim ships an update every 41 months, ShellMaster every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NetSim | ShellMaster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $5.99 |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 41 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Size | 10 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [California State University, Northridge](https://appshunter.io/developer/677332864) | [SimTeCon GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1761797043) |

## What reviewers say

### NetSim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netsim/id1238304585)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShellMaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellmaster/id6740014632)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NetSim free?

NetSim is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShellMaster free?

ShellMaster costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do NetSim or ShellMaster have ads?

Neither NetSim nor ShellMaster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NetSim or ShellMaster?

NetSim ships an update every 41 months, and ShellMaster every 6 weeks. Most recently, NetSim was updated on October 6, 2026 and ShellMaster on October 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*