# Spaceflight Simulator vs Lunar Orbit

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Lunar Orbit at none against Spaceflight Simulator's 11. Lunar Orbit also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Spaceflight Simulator's advantage is ratings volume (98K vs 2) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Lunar Orbit holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spaceflight Simulator has 98K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of Spaceflight Simulator's written reviews are positive against 75% of Lunar Orbit's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Spaceflight Simulator ships an update every 9 days, Lunar Orbit every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spaceflight Simulator | Lunar Orbit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (98K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lunar-orbit-space-flight-game/id1486762718/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **98K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **85.3% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 172 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Spaceflight Simulator UK Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1308057271) | [DashApps OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1350101486) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Lunar Orbit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lunar-orbit-space-flight-game/id1486762718)

Guide an asteroid containing life-creating elements to inhabitable planets by manipulating gravity and using black holes. Navigate through space, avoid obstacles, and create new galaxies.

**Highlights:** Physics-based space simulation, Gravity manipulation, Black hole navigation, Obstacle avoidance, Galaxy creation, Multiplayer galaxy building

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spaceflight Simulator free?

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

### Is Lunar Orbit free?

Lunar Orbit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Spaceflight Simulator or Lunar Orbit?

Lunar Orbit is rated higher. Spaceflight Simulator averages 4.8 out of 5 from 98K ratings, while Lunar Orbit averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Spaceflight Simulator or Lunar Orbit have ads?

Neither Spaceflight Simulator nor Lunar Orbit shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Spaceflight Simulator or Lunar Orbit?

Spaceflight Simulator ships an update every 9 days, and Lunar Orbit every 3 weeks. Most recently, Spaceflight Simulator was updated on October 29, 2026 and Lunar Orbit on October 16, 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.*