# Scalextric ARC vs R2

The clearest difference is rating: R2 at 3.4 against Scalextric ARC's 2.8. R2 also leads on ratings volume (363 vs 14). Scalextric ARC's advantage is review sentiment (42% vs 23%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

R2 holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: R2 has 363 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 42% of Scalextric ARC's written reviews are positive against 23% of R2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scalextric ARC ships an update every 3 months, R2 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Scalextric ARC | R2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalextric-arc/id1342388625/reviews) | **[3.4 (363 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-d2-droid-control/id1403826626/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **363** |
| Positive reviews | **41.7% of reviews** | 22.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 200 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hornby Hobbies Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/870599697) | [De Agostini Publishing S.p.A.](https://appshunter.io/developer/446742474) |

## What reviewers say

### Scalextric ARC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalextric-arc/id1342388625)

Control and customize your slot car races wirelessly using a smart device. Personalize race types, driver names, and car setups for a unique racing experience. Connect to a compatible powerbase to unlock advanced features and track your performance.

**Highlights:** Wireless race management via smart device, Customizable race types and conditions, Driver and car setup personalization, Save custom race settings, Share race stats on social media, Pit stop and fuel management

**In-app purchases:** none


### R2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-d2-droid-control/id1403826626)

Control your interactive R2-D2 droid from your smartphone or tablet. Steer the droid, view its camera feed, and activate unique features like its projector and pop-up lightsaber. The droid can also operate autonomously and respond to voice commands.

**Highlights:** Dual mode control (command/AI), Video/still camera with face detection, Holographic message projector, Pop-up lightsaber, Extending arms and manipulator probes, Voice command response

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works well when functioning properly
- 🎮 Endless features and functionality
- 🔧 Resolves issues with reinstallation
- 📱 Compatible with multiple Apple devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes on startup frequently
- 📵 Connection failures to R2-D2 unit
- ⚠️ Not updated for latest iOS versions
- 🔌 WiFi connectivity issues (local and direct modes)
- 💔 Product becomes unusable without working app

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Unable to connect to R2-D2 via Bluetooth or WiFi
- Local WiFi connection mode not working
- Direct WiFi mode intermittently functional
- iOS 14, 16, 17, 18, 18.1 compatibility issues

**Requested features**

- Update app for iOS 16, 17, 18, and 18.1 compatibility
- Diagnostic feature to check R2-D2 problems
- Volume control option
- Programming/automation functionality
- Controller support (PS2/gamepad)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Scalextric ARC free?

Scalextric ARC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is R2 free?

R2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Scalextric ARC or R2?

R2 is rated higher. Scalextric ARC averages 2.8 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while R2 averages 3.4 from 363 ratings.

### Do Scalextric ARC or R2 have ads?

Neither Scalextric ARC nor R2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Scalextric ARC or R2?

Scalextric ARC ships an update every 3 months, and R2 every 4 months. Most recently, Scalextric ARC was updated on September 18, 2026 and R2 on September 10, 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.*