# Spaceflight Simulator vs Astro Builder

Spaceflight Simulator and Astro Builder both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 86% of Spaceflight Simulator's written reviews are positive against 33% of Astro Builder's. Spaceflight Simulator also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 11 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spaceflight Simulator sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Astro Builder sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Spaceflight Simulator against 4.7 for Astro Builder. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spaceflight Simulator has 97K ratings behind it against 3.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Spaceflight Simulator's written reviews are positive against 33% of Astro Builder's.

Spaceflight Simulator ships an update every 9 days, Astro Builder every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spaceflight Simulator | Astro Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (97K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272/reviews)** | [4.7 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-builder/id6737761200/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **97K** | 3.3K |
| Positive reviews | **85.7% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 172 MB | 251 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Spaceflight Simulator UK Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1308057271) | [Solid Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1625798412) |

## 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


### Astro Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-builder/id6737761200)

Build a sprawling space station in orbit with this idle construction game. Start with basic components and expand your facility by unlocking new equipment and generating resources. Discover and develop new areas as your station grows.

**Highlights:** Idle space station construction, Resource management, Unlock new equipment, Expand and develop areas, Space elevator material transport

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AD TICKETS 10 | $0.99 | one-time |
| AD TICKETS 25 | $1.99 | one-time |
| AD TICKETS 60 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Ad-free 7 day | $4.99 | one-time |
| Permanent ad-free! | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun game concept
- 👍 Detailed space station building
- 💡 Customizable astronaut suits

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy AI and builder behavior
- 🔇 Lack of sound and music
- 🔁 Repetitive and monotonous gameplay
- 🔒 Forced ads and limited free content
- ⏱️ Slow progress without watching ads

**Reported bugs**

- Builders getting stuck or ignoring resource needs
- Inconsistent behavior when collecting from processors
- Permanent worker upgrades not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- Ability to continue progress offline
- More varied level designs and challenges
- Autonomous builder behavior
- Background progress while app is closed


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spaceflight Simulator free?

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

### Is Astro Builder free?

Astro Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Spaceflight Simulator or Astro Builder?

Spaceflight Simulator is rated higher. Spaceflight Simulator averages 4.8 out of 5 from 97K ratings, while Astro Builder averages 4.7 from 3.3K ratings.

### Do Spaceflight Simulator or Astro Builder have ads?

Astro Builder shows ads; Spaceflight Simulator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Spaceflight Simulator or Astro Builder?

Spaceflight Simulator ships an update every 9 days, and Astro Builder every 11 months. Most recently, Spaceflight Simulator was updated on September 24, 2026 and Astro Builder on September 23, 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.*