# Light Ignite vs Solar Smash

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Solar Smash at 80% against Light Ignite's 54%. Solar Smash also leads on ratings volume (401K vs 1.1K) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Light Ignite's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 4 weeks) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Light Ignite sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Solar Smash sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Solar Smash holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solar Smash has 401K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Light Ignite's written reviews are positive against 80% of Solar Smash's.

Light Ignite ships an update every 10 days, Solar Smash every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Light Ignite | Solar Smash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-ignite/id1487518293/reviews) | **[4.8 (401K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-smash/id1495723103/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **401K** |
| Positive reviews | 54.1% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#32** |
| Size | 277 MB | 439 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Branching Factor LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482103510) | [PARADYME LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1327375963) |

## What reviewers say

### Light Ignite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-ignite/id1487518293)

Explore the mesmerizing physics of light in this captivating puzzle game. Manipulate lasers, mirrors, and prisms to solve intricate optical challenges. Unleash your creativity by building and sharing your own levels.

**Highlights:** Optical puzzle challenges, Laser manipulation, Level editor, Community level sharing, Real-time physics engine, Offline play

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| VIP Pass | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sandbox | $1.99 | one-time |
| VIP Pass | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock + Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| VIP Pass | $2.99 | one-time |
| Sandbox, Level Packs, No Ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game mechanics
- 👍 Fun and challenging puzzles
- 💡 Unique light/optics concept
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Relaxing and enjoyable experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔥 Excessive ads interrupting gameplay
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs on some devices
- 🔥 Ads longer than levels
- 🔥 Ads even after purchasing ad-free version

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes on launch for some users
- Levels freezing or not loading properly

**Requested features**

- More levels and increased difficulty
- Sandbox mode with more customization options
- Ability to create and share custom levels


### Solar Smash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-smash/id1495723103)

**Currently charting:** #32 Top Free · Simulation, #95 Top Free · Casual, #207 Top Free · Games (US App Store)

Unleash your destructive power on planets with a vast arsenal of weapons. From nuclear missiles and lasers to monstrous creatures and asteroids, obliterate celestial bodies in this engaging simulator.

**Highlights:** Planet destruction simulator, Variety of weapons, Nuclear missiles, Lasers, Monsters, Spaceships, Asteroids

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Planet Killer | $1.99 | one-time |
| Von Neumann Probe | $1.99 | one-time |
| Living Planet | $2.99 | one-time |
| Healing Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Levels and Achievements | $2.99 | one-time |
| AdFree | $3.99 | one-time |
| Alpha Centauri Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Monster Weapon Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| All Planets Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| All Weapons Pack | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and satisfying
- 👍 Great graphics
- 👍 No ads
- 👍 Offline playability
- 👍 Variety of planets and weapons

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional glitches and crashes
- 💡 Lack of new content and updates
- 💡 Limited planet and weapon options
- 💡 Unrealistic physics and planet behavior

**Reported bugs**

- Ads not working properly
- Regeneration missiles getting stuck on loading screen
- Zooming issues in System Smash mode
- Glitches with certain weapons and planet interactions

**Requested features**

- More planets (including Pluto, Uranus, Neptune, etc.)
- Ability to customize planets and solar systems
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.)
- Controllable spaceships and alien creatures
- Improved physics and realism


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Light Ignite free?

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

### Is Solar Smash free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Light Ignite or Solar Smash?

Solar Smash is rated higher. Light Ignite averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Solar Smash averages 4.8 from 401K ratings.

### Do Light Ignite or Solar Smash have ads?

Both Light Ignite and Solar Smash show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Light Ignite or Solar Smash?

Light Ignite ships an update every 10 days, and Solar Smash every 4 weeks. Most recently, Light Ignite was updated on October 20, 2026 and Solar Smash on October 25, 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.*