# Retro Commander vs MechCom 3

The clearest difference is price: Retro Commander at Free against MechCom 3's $1.99. Retro Commander also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 23 months). MechCom 3's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.7) and in-app purchases (none vs 14). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Retro Commander is free to download; MechCom 3 costs $1.99 up front. Retro Commander sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. MechCom 3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

MechCom 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MechCom 3 has 147 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of Retro Commander's written reviews are positive against 74% of MechCom 3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, MechCom 3 every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Commander | MechCom 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [3.7 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-commander/id1274342935/reviews) | **[4.5 (147 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mechcom-3-3d-rts/id1316910651/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **147** |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 73.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 23 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#196** |
| Size | 151 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Noble Master LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/310121642) | [Game Dev Team](https://appshunter.io/developer/561134317) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-commander/id1274342935)

Engage in post-apocalyptic real-time strategy battles. Command diverse units and technologies in a rich story campaign or test your skills against AI and players in cross-platform multiplayer. Features include a map editor and extensive modding capabilities.

**Highlights:** Post-apocalyptic RTS gameplay, Story campaign with unique factions, Single-player skirmish matches vs AI, Cross-platform multiplayer, Map editor and modding support, Diverse units and research options, Multiple game modes (capture the flag, battle royale)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Map: Chapter 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 05 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Clan Manager | $1.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 08 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map A1 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 06 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 07 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Modded Maps | $4.99 | one-time |
| All Maps & Modding | $19.99 | one-time |


### MechCom 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mechcom-3-3d-rts/id1316910651)

**Currently charting:** #196 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Engage in a real-time strategy game where you build bases, gather resources, and customize mechs to defeat opponents. Explore space conflicts between powerful corporations in the XXII century.

**Highlights:** Stylized 3D graphics, Intuitive controls, Multiple game modes, 16 unique mech combinations, Challenging AI, No ads or in-app purchases

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and wonderful gameplay
- 👍 Great value for money
- 👍 Excellent little indie game
- 👍 Good for mobile
- 👍 Intuitive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⬆️ Difficulty ramps up too fast
- ⬆️ AI is too strong/unfair
- ⬆️ Lacks story
- ⬆️ Repetitive gameplay
- ⬆️ Bugs are annoying

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iPad
- Resources randomly worth 10 instead of 50
- Bug: AI still builds structures after lab is destroyed
- Bug: Not enough supplies to craft vehicles even when supplies are sufficient

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer (FFA, 3v3, PvP)
- More unit upgrades
- Sea units
- Mech 4
- More zoom out


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Commander free?

Retro Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MechCom 3 free?

MechCom 3 costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Retro Commander or MechCom 3?

MechCom 3 is rated higher. Retro Commander averages 3.7 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while MechCom 3 averages 4.5 from 147 ratings.

### Do Retro Commander or MechCom 3 have ads?

Neither Retro Commander nor MechCom 3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Retro Commander or MechCom 3?

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, and MechCom 3 every 23 months. Most recently, Retro Commander was updated on October 26, 2026 and MechCom 3 on October 24, 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.*