Space Shuttle AR vs Space Sandbox Playground
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Space Shuttle AR
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide full description
The Space Shuttle has been revived through Augmented Reality(AR) since its last flight in 2011. AR is a technology that displays virtual objects in the real world. You are the launch director of the Space Shuttle. Your mission is to launch the Space Shuttle and dock with the International Space Station safely. The Space Shuttle will be launched with smoke and fire from the launch pad. The shuttle will separate booster engines and an external fuel tank. It will dock with the Space Station above the Earth. The sound and the countdown make AR Space Shuttle more realistic. You can watch the shuttle's motions from various angles. Launch a 3D virtual Space Shuttle in your backyard or any other place. This app is a simple experiment in AR. The app is not only for Space Shuttle fans but also for anyone interested in AR. Try launching the 3D virtual Space Shuttle now.
Space Sandbox Playground
Design and build your own space platform, then explore it in game mode. Populate your creations with various creatures and objects for unique cosmic adventures.
- Design custom space platforms
- Populate with creatures and objects
- Explore in game mode
- Cosmic creativity and adventure
- Build futuristic space stations
Read full descriptionHide full description
Welcome to "Space sandbox" your ultimate destination for cosmic creativity and adventure! Craft your own space platform, populate it with creatures, catcorns and objects, and embark on thrilling journeys in game mode. In space sandbox playground, you're the architect of your own celestial realm. Design and customize your space platform with a variety of tools and features. Whether you're constructing futuristic space stations with fantastic creatures like the catcorns, robotics spiders and so on. Once you've created your cosmic masterpiece, it's time to explore the wonders of the universe in game mode. Traverse through vast space landscapes, encounter fascinating creatures, and uncover hidden secrets scattered throughout the cosmos.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Space Shuttle AR at 78% against Space Sandbox Playground's 20%. Space Shuttle AR also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.1) and ads (none vs shown). Space Sandbox Playground's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Space Shuttle AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Space Shuttle AR has 1.2K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Space Shuttle AR's written reviews are positive against 20% of Space Sandbox Playground's.
Space Shuttle AR ships an update every 5 months, Space Sandbox Playground weekly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Space Shuttle AR | Space Sandbox Playground |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.2K ratings) — better | 1.1 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews — better | 20.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 134 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Noriaki Murao | Eventronic Systems, SL |
Customer experience
Space Shuttle AR
Space Sandbox Playground
Bugs and requests
Space Shuttle AR
Reported bugs
2 issues- Freezing and crashing on launch
- Inability to place the shuttle on flat surfaces
Requested features
4 requests- 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)
Space Sandbox Playground
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Space Shuttle AR
No in-app purchases
Space Sandbox Playground
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Space Shuttle AR free?
Is Space Sandbox Playground free?
Which has better reviews, Space Shuttle AR or Space Sandbox Playground?
Do Space Shuttle AR or Space Sandbox Playground have ads?
Which is updated more often, Space Shuttle AR or Space Sandbox Playground?
Other comparisons
