# Spaceflight Simulator vs Space Rocket Exploration

The clearest difference is rating: Spaceflight Simulator at 4.8 against Space Rocket Exploration's 3.7. Spaceflight Simulator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (97K vs 313). Space Rocket Exploration's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Spaceflight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spaceflight Simulator has 97K ratings behind it against 313, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Spaceflight Simulator's written reviews are positive against 69% of Space Rocket Exploration's.

Spaceflight Simulator ships an update every 9 days, Space Rocket Exploration monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spaceflight Simulator | Space Rocket Exploration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (97K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272/reviews)** | [3.7 (313 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **97K** | 313 |
| Positive reviews | **85.7% of reviews** | 69.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 172 MB | 216 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Spaceflight Simulator UK Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1308057271) | [Genc Sadiku](https://appshunter.io/developer/1226282762) |

## 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


### Space Rocket Exploration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748)

Build and launch custom rockets to explore planets and moons in our solar system. Construct a space station with unlimited potential and deploy various satellites. Experience realistic space physics and astonishing graphics.

**Highlights:** Build custom rockets, Explore solar system planets and moons, Construct unlimited space stations, Launch and control satellites, Realistic space physics simulation, Astonishing graphics

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🌟 Great graphics
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💯 Awesome game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Ads interrupting gameplay
- 🔧 Difficult to build space stations

**Reported bugs**

- Rockets exploding on launch
- Satellites randomly exploding in orbit
- Inability to remove space station parts
- Orbit lines not showing correctly

**Requested features**

- Add landing on planets
- Improve space station building
- Introduce more rocket parts
- Add astronaut and EVA functionality
- Implement interplanetary travel


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spaceflight Simulator free?

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

### Is Space Rocket Exploration free?

Space Rocket Exploration is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Spaceflight Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration?

Spaceflight Simulator is rated higher. Spaceflight Simulator averages 4.8 out of 5 from 97K ratings, while Space Rocket Exploration averages 3.7 from 313 ratings.

### Do Spaceflight Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration have ads?

Space Rocket Exploration shows ads; Spaceflight Simulator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Spaceflight Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration?

Spaceflight Simulator ships an update every 9 days, and Space Rocket Exploration monthly. Most recently, Spaceflight Simulator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Space Rocket Exploration 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.*