# Sandbox 3D vs Sandbox

The clearest difference is ads: Sandbox 3D at none against Sandbox's shown. Sandbox 3D also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and review sentiment (71% vs 47%). Sandbox's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (8.7K vs 832). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sandbox 3D sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Sandbox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Sandbox holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sandbox has 8.7K ratings behind it against 832, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of Sandbox 3D's written reviews are positive against 47% of Sandbox's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Sandbox 3D ships an update every 5 days, Sandbox monthly. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sandbox 3D | Sandbox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (832 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-3d/id1446635457/reviews) | **[4.4 (8.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-physics-simulator/id1563185441/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 832 | **8.7K** |
| Positive reviews | **70.5% of reviews** | 47.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 302 MB | 204 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wladyslaw Jewloszewicz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1166916654) | [Tran Dinh Hung](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475879763) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Sandbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-physics-simulator/id1563185441)

Explore a creative sandbox world where you can mix elements to discover their reactions and create dynamic environments. Experiment with physics, build structures, and witness exciting events like explosions and growth. New modes allow for planet destruction and life cycle simulation.

**Highlights:** Element mixing and reaction discovery, World building with plants and weather, Physics experiments (fire, explosions), Planet destruction mode, Life cycle simulation mode

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Unique and creative concept
- 🔬 Interesting physics and chemistry experiments
- 🕹️ Fun and addictive gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Excessive and intrusive ads
- 🤖 Lack of customization and control options
- 🔍 Difficulty finding certain elements

**Reported bugs**

- Certain elements not functioning as expected
- Saved files becoming corrupted
- Inconsistent performance and stability issues

**Requested features**

- Add more elements and materials to experiment with
- Implement a pause/speed up time feature
- Introduce a sandbox mode without any ads
- Allow users to save and load custom creations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sandbox 3D free?

Sandbox 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Sandbox free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Sandbox 3D or Sandbox?

Sandbox is rated higher. Sandbox 3D averages 4.0 out of 5 from 832 ratings, while Sandbox averages 4.4 from 8.7K ratings.

### Do Sandbox 3D or Sandbox have ads?

Sandbox shows ads; Sandbox 3D does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sandbox 3D or Sandbox?

Sandbox 3D ships an update every 5 days, and Sandbox monthly. Most recently, Sandbox 3D was updated on September 26, 2026 and Sandbox on September 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.*