# Playground AR vs Sandbox 3D

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Playground AR | Sandbox 3D |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playground-ar-physics-sandbox/id1305282341/reviews) | **[4.1 (853 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-3d/id1446635457/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **853** |
| Positive reviews | 65.8% of reviews | **70.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 133 MB | 305 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Marc Sureda](https://appshunter.io/developer/657241759) | [Wladyslaw Jewloszewicz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1166916654) |

## What reviewers say

### Playground AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playground-ar-physics-sandbox/id1305282341)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Blocks | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-3d/id1446635457)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Initial Pack - 3 gems | $2.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack - 7 gems | $5.99 | one-time |
| Large Pack - 18 gems | $11.99 | one-time |
| Ultra Pack - 40 gems | $23.99 | one-time |
| Hyper Pack - 100 gems | $47.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


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