# Space Shuttle AR vs Spaceflight Simulator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Space Shuttle AR at none against Spaceflight Simulator's 11. Space Shuttle AR also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Spaceflight Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (97K vs 1.1K). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spaceflight Simulator sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Space Shuttle AR asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Space Shuttle AR against 4.8 for Spaceflight Simulator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spaceflight Simulator has 97K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Space Shuttle AR's written reviews are positive against 86% of Spaceflight Simulator's.

Space Shuttle AR ships an update every 5 months, Spaceflight Simulator every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Shuttle AR | Spaceflight Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-shuttle-ar/id1289002724/reviews) | **[4.8 (97K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **97K** |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 68 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Noriaki Murao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1289002723) | [Spaceflight Simulator UK Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1308057271) |

## What reviewers say

### Space Shuttle AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-shuttle-ar/id1289002724)

Experience the Space Shuttle's return through augmented reality. As the launch director, guide the shuttle from launch to a safe docking with the International Space Station. Witness realistic smoke, fire, and engine separation in your own environment.

**Highlights:** Augmented Reality (AR) experience, Launch director role, Space Shuttle launch simulation, Docking with International Space Station, Realistic smoke and fire effects, Booster and fuel tank separation, Multiple viewing angles

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Realistic space shuttle simulation
- 👍 Stunning graphics and visuals
- 🎉 Engaging and educational experience
- 💡 Innovative use of AR technology

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Placement and launch issues on some devices
- 🔍 Limited control and customization options
- ⏱️ Short gameplay duration

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing and crashing on launch
- Inability to place the shuttle on flat surfaces

**Requested features**

- Add more rockets and spacecraft to launch
- Allow users to build and customize their own rockets
- Implement a re-entry and landing sequence
- Provide more background options (e.g., stars, planets)


### Spaceflight Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272)

Build and launch rockets to explore a realistic, open universe. Experience space exploration with accurate physics and a vast, explorable solar system.

**Highlights:** Build custom rockets, Realistic orbital mechanics, Explore a scaled universe, Visit planets and moons, Open-world space exploration, Real-life physics simulation

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skins Expansion | $2.99 | one-time |
| Full Version | $3.99 | one-time |
| Redstone + Atlas Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Parts Expansion | $4.99 | one-time |
| Infinite Area Expansion | $4.99 | one-time |
| Expansion Bundle | $7.99 | one-time |
| Cheats Expansion | $9.99 | one-time |
| Full Bundle Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| Full Bundle | $11.99 | one-time |
| Full Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Realistic physics and space simulation
- 👍 Intuitive controls and easy to learn
- 🚀 Ability to build complex rockets and spacecraft
- 👍 No ads or in-app purchases required to play

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches, especially with large rockets
- 🔋 Potential performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Limited customization and part options in free version
- 🚀 Docking and rendezvous maneuvers can be very challenging

**Reported bugs**

- Rocket parts sometimes clipping through each other
- Occasional freezing or crashing when launching large rockets
- Issues with RCS thrusters firing unexpectedly during docking
- Problems with maintaining stable orbits and transfers

**Requested features**

- Add more planets, moons, and celestial bodies to explore
- Implement a career mode or progression system with challenges
- Allow for more customization of rocket parts and spacecraft
- Improve docking and rendezvous mechanics to make them more accessible
- Add the ability to control individual astronauts and perform EVAs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Shuttle AR free?

Space Shuttle AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Spaceflight Simulator free?

Spaceflight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Space Shuttle AR or Spaceflight Simulator?

Spaceflight Simulator is rated higher. Space Shuttle AR averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Spaceflight Simulator averages 4.8 from 97K ratings.

### Do Space Shuttle AR or Spaceflight Simulator have ads?

Neither Space Shuttle AR nor Spaceflight Simulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Space Shuttle AR or Spaceflight Simulator?

Space Shuttle AR ships an update every 5 months, and Spaceflight Simulator every 9 days. Most recently, Space Shuttle AR was updated on September 24, 2026 and Spaceflight Simulator on September 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.*