Comparison

Pocket Rocket vs Rocket Simulator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Pocket Rocket

Stay informed about all upcoming SpaceX rocket launches with real-time updates and reminders. View rocket models, livestream launches, and interact with rockets in AR. Never miss a historic moment in space exploration.

Highlights
  • Upcoming launch reminders
  • Launch date countdowns
  • Livestream launches
  • 3D and AR rocket models
  • Detailed launch updates
  • Historical launch viewing
Features
Read full description

Pocket Rocket keeps track of all upcoming SpaceX rocket launches, and reminds you of when they're happening. Launch dates change constantly, so we act as your launch concierge to make sure you never miss out on witnessing history.  With this app, you can view existing and future rocket models, receive critical updates about launches, livestream new launches, watch each historical launch, and see your favorite rocket in Augmented Reality. Base Features for All Users: - Day-Of Reminder notification about every Upcoming Launch. - Full access to all features of the app! What you see is what you get. - See dates and countdowns for each launch, so you know exactly when they will happen. - Interact with your favorite rockets in a 3D view, and in AR. - Livestream every launch directly from the app! Subscription Tiers: Pocket Rocket Plus - All the Base features. - Receive Launch Updates and Detailed Reminders. - Updates for when a launch date changes just before a launch is expected to happen. - Reminders for each upcoming launch, from T - 1 Week, T - 24 Hrs/12 Hrs (it varies), T - 1 Hr, and T - 5 Minutes. Pocket Rocket Silver - All the Base features. - All Launch Updates and Reminders - Support the development of the app. This helps us continue building Pocket Rocket full-time. - A Silver Decal in your app to display your level of support. - Exclusive future features to further display your level of support! Pocket Rocket Gold - All the Base features. - All Launch Updates and Reminders - Support the development of the app. - A Gold Decal in your app to display your level of support. - Exclusive future features to further display your level of support! We hope you'll love it. (Disclaimer: This is app is not affiliated with SpaceX or its partners or customers)

About

Rocket Simulator

Build and launch your own rockets in augmented reality. Assemble various rocket models, learn about their history and functions, and customize them with AI-generated stickers. Experience space exploration with different missions and modes.

Highlights
  • AR rocket assembly
  • Rocket model customization
  • Historical rocket information
  • AI sticker generation
  • Flight simulation
  • Educational facts about rockets
Features
Read full description

3… 2… 1… Liftoff! Are you ready to launch your very first space rocket? Assemble rockets in AR and launch it into outer space! VARIOUS ROCKET MODELS Just choose your favourite rocket model and let’s begin. ASSEMBLY PUZZLE Assemble all rocket parts in the right order and discover historical info about its creation and missions. Customize rockets with AI stickers. INTERESTING FACTS Read about every rocket in detail and learn the functions of each rocket part. Rocket models from all over the world are waiting for you! KEEP IN MIND: Some features are only available for Subscription holders. Paid version includes all rocket models, all missions, free mode, sharing, unlimited access to AR mode, unlimited sticker generation. Free version includes 2 rockets, 2 missions, 2 AR mode launches, 3 sticker generations. https://educationterra.com/privacy https://educationterra.com/tos

Screenshots

Pocket Rocket4 screens
Rocket Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pocket Rocket at 4.5 against Rocket Simulator's 3.8. Pocket Rocket also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 10%) and ads (none vs shown). Rocket Simulator's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Pocket Rocket sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Rocket Simulator sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pocket Rocket holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 522 and 422 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Pocket Rocket's written reviews are positive against 10% of Rocket Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pocket Rocket versus Rocket Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocket RocketRocket Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (522 ratings) — better3.8 (422 ratings)
Positive reviews52.0% of reviews — better10.2% of reviews
Number of ratings522 — better422
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size702 MB280 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVoyager Space Systems, LLCEducation Terra

Customer experience

Pocket Rocket

All ratings521 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews100 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative36.0%

Rocket Simulator

All ratings422 ratings
Positive67.5%
Neutral5.0%
Negative27.5%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive10.2%
Neutral3.4%
Negative86.4%

User reviews

Pocket Rocket

From 522 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Awesome AR features
  • 👍 Beautiful and sleek design
  • 🚀 Detailed rocket models
  • 👍 Useful launch countdown and notifications

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes, especially with AR
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Lack of up-to-date launch information

Rocket Simulator

From 422 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Cool concept
  • 👍 Epic game
  • 👍 Nice
  • 👍 Good game
  • 👍 Great game!

Room to improve

  • 💸 Pay to play
  • 💸 Subscription required
  • 💸 Expensive
  • 💸 Misleading free trial
  • 💸 Unusable without payment

Bugs and requests

Pocket Rocket

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • AR feature crashes on launch
  • Incorrect or outdated launch information
  • Unreliable push notifications

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for other launch providers beyond SpaceX
  • Improve reliability and accuracy of launch notifications
  • Provide a 1:1 scale mode for AR rockets
  • Develop an iPad-optimized version of the app

Rocket Simulator

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Parts don't connect
  • No command center on launch
  • Rocket goes to sky and mission complete
  • Animations not shown correctly
  • Slow rollout animation
Show 2 more
  • Minimal launch animation
  • Typos in subtitles

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add command center
  • Add space exploration
  • Add more to the game
  • Add staging and space rocket control
  • Add other planets to land on
Show 1 more
  • Make it free

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Pocket Rocket

Subscriptions6
  • Pocket Rocket Plus1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Pocket Rocket Silver1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Pocket Rocket Gold1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Pocket Rocket Plus (Yearly)$29.991 Year
  • Pocket Rocket Silver (Yearly)$44.991 Year
  • Pocket Rocket Gold (Yearly)$74.991 Year
6 purchases

Rocket Simulator

Subscriptions6
  • Rocket Ship - 1 Week$6.997 Days
  • 1 Week Subscription$9.997 Days
  • Rocket Simulator: Spaceflight$19.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Rocket Ship Building & Launch3 Days trial$20.991 Year
  • 3 Months Subscription3 Days trial$20.993 Months
  • 2 Months Subscription3 Days trial$39.992 Months

Questions

Is Pocket Rocket free?
Pocket Rocket is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rocket Simulator free?
Rocket Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pocket Rocket or Rocket Simulator?
Pocket Rocket is rated higher. Pocket Rocket averages 4.5 out of 5 from 522 ratings, while Rocket Simulator averages 3.8 from 422 ratings.
Do Pocket Rocket or Rocket Simulator have ads?
Rocket Simulator shows ads; Pocket Rocket does not.
Which is updated more often, Pocket Rocket or Rocket Simulator?
Pocket Rocket ships an update every 2 months, and Rocket Simulator every 2 months. Most recently, Pocket Rocket was updated on October 13, 2026 and Rocket Simulator on October 12, 2026.

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