Comparison

Playground AR vs Sandbox 3D

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

Head to head
About

Playground AR

Transform your space into an augmented reality physics sandbox. Build intricate structures, design functional machines, and unleash epic destruction with realistic physics. Play with friends in real-time and capture your creations.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality physics sandbox
  • Infinite construction with diverse blocks
  • Design functional machines with joints and wheels
  • Realistic physics simulations
  • Control RC vehicles
  • Multiplayer and social sharing
  • In-game screenshot tool
Read full description

Playground AR: The Ultimate Physics Sandbox in Augmented Reality Turn your room into a digital laboratory! Playground AR is the next generation of physics sandboxes, giving you an infinite supply of blocks, toys, and gadgets to create and destroy in your real-world environment using Augmented Reality. Build, Imagine, and Experiment With intuitive AR controls, placing and moving objects feels natural: Infinite Construction: Use a massive variety of blocks and materials to build anything from tall skyscrapers to complex domino runs. Advanced Engineering: Design your own functional machines using joints, wheels, and thrusters. Realistic Physics: Pick up objects and throw them, freeze them in mid-air, or connect them to see realistic physical reactions. RC Vehicles and Action It’s not just about building—it’s about the thrill of play: RC Toys: Take command of RC helicopters, drones, and cars with responsive controls. Epic Destruction: Test the strength of your castles. Use bombs and explosives to watch your structures collapse with satisfying, realistic physics. Interactive Challenges: Try to land your helicopter on a moving platform or build the most complex chain reaction. Multiplayer and Social Sharing Play with Friends: Join others to see who can build the highest tower or the longest domino course in real-time. Capture the Moment: View your creations from any angle. Use the in-game screenshot tool to take high-quality photos and share them instantly. Have you ever dreamed of having a room full of infinite toys? The only limit is your imagination. Download Playground AR now and start creating!

About

Sandbox 3D

Explore an open-world physics sandbox with friends. Manipulate objects, experiment with physics, and build creations in diverse locations. Enjoy multiplayer freedom with customizable server rules for object creation and deletion.

Highlights
  • Multiplayer gameplay
  • Open-world exploration
  • Physics experimentation
  • Building system
  • Multiple locations
  • Inventory with numerous items
  • Vehicles (land and air)
Features
Read full description

Sandbox 3D is an open-world physical sandbox where you can manipulate various objects and experiment with physics with your friends. Features: - Multiplayer - Free world - 5+ locations - 10+ characters - 10+ vehicles (land and air) - 150+ items in inventory - Building system ● In public mode, everyone can create and delete not only their objects, but also others. In this case, the creator of the server can block access to create or delete objects on the server. ● In private mode, everyone can create objects, but only their owners can delete them. When you exit the server, all objects created by the player are deleted. The server owner cannot block access to creating and deleting objects, nor can he delete them himself.

Screenshots

Playground AR4 screens
Sandbox 3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sandbox 3D at 853 against Playground AR's 16. Sandbox 3D also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). Playground AR's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Playground AR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Sandbox 3D sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sandbox 3D holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sandbox 3D has 853 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Playground AR's written reviews are positive against 71% of Sandbox 3D's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Playground AR ships an update every 3 weeks, Sandbox 3D every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Playground AR versus Sandbox 3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlayground ARSandbox 3D
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (16 ratings)4.1 (853 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.8% of reviews70.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16853 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size133 MB305 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMarc SuredaWladyslaw Jewloszewicz

Customer experience

Playground AR

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews146 reviews
Positive65.8%
Neutral8.2%
Negative26.0%

Sandbox 3D

All ratings853 ratings
Positive75.8%
Neutral7.0%
Negative17.1%
Written reviews339 reviews
Positive70.5%
Neutral10.6%
Negative18.9%

User reviews

Playground AR

From 16 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Amazing AR experience
  • 🎮 Fun sandbox gameplay
  • 🔥 Great physics engine
  • 💫 Impressive AR detection
  • 👍 Intuitive controls

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional glitches and bugs
  • 🔍 Difficulty in surface detection
  • 🤖 Limited NPC/character options
  • 🔒 Locked content behind ads
  • 🔀 Multiplayer functionality not working

Sandbox 3D

From 853 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun and creative sandbox game
  • 🚀 Great for building and customizing
  • 💡 Potential for more content and features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitches and bugs, including getting stuck in vehicles
  • 🔒 Lack of moderation and security, allowing hackers to take over servers
  • 🤬 Inappropriate content and toxic players
  • 🔋 Performance issues and crashes

Bugs and requests

Playground AR

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Devices unable to detect surfaces properly
  • Saved creations not persisting across sessions
  • Controls for vehicles/devices not intuitive
  • Occasional freezing and crashing of the app
  • Incompatibility issues with certain device models

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add human/character models to interact with
  • Implement liquids and more environmental elements
  • Introduce terraforming and customizable terrain
  • Provide more building/creation tools and options
  • Enable seamless multiplayer and sharing of creations

Sandbox 3D

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Getting stuck in vehicles
  • Servers being taken over by hackers
  • Crashes and performance issues
  • Inability to exit the game from within a server

Requested features

7 requests
  • More guns, weapons, and vehicles
  • Ability to sit in chairs and interact with furniture
  • Larger build limits and more building materials
  • Improved server management and anti-cheat features
  • Ability to create and join friend groups/clans
Show 2 more
  • More maps, environments, and NPCs
  • Better monetization model and ways to earn in-game currency

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Playground AR

One-time1
  • Premium Blocks$3.99
5 purchases

Sandbox 3D

One-time5
  • Initial Pack - 3 gems$2.99
  • Medium Pack - 7 gems$5.99
  • Large Pack - 18 gems$11.99
Show 2 more
  • Ultra Pack - 40 gems$23.99
  • Hyper Pack - 100 gems$47.99

Questions

Is Playground AR free?
Playground AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sandbox 3D free?
Sandbox 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Playground AR or Sandbox 3D?
Sandbox 3D is rated higher. Playground AR averages 3.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Sandbox 3D averages 4.1 from 853 ratings.
Do Playground AR or Sandbox 3D have ads?
Neither Playground AR nor Sandbox 3D shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Playground AR or Sandbox 3D?
Playground AR ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sandbox 3D every 6 days. Most recently, Playground AR was updated on October 29, 2026 and Sandbox 3D on October 26, 2026.

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