# Steampunk Sandbox vs Aviateur

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aviateur at 87% against Steampunk Sandbox's 23%. Aviateur also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.2) and ads (none vs shown). Steampunk Sandbox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aviateur sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Steampunk Sandbox asks for nothing beyond the download.

Aviateur holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aviateur has 129 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Steampunk Sandbox's written reviews are positive against 87% of Aviateur's.

Steampunk Sandbox ships an update every 22 months, Aviateur every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Steampunk Sandbox | Aviateur |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steampunk-sandbox/id1498366585/reviews) | **[4.6 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aviateur-flight-simulation/id6444638830/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **129** |
| Positive reviews | 23.1% of reviews | **86.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 171 MB | 793 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Darya Vladislavovna](https://appshunter.io/developer/1067566962) | [Rajatdeep Bakshi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1655806172) |

## What reviewers say

### Steampunk Sandbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steampunk-sandbox/id1498366585)

Design and build custom vehicles like cars and planes within a Steampunk world. Engage in combat against aggressive machines using your unique creations. Challenge deadly vehicles with your own designs.

**Highlights:** Steampunk vehicle designer, Create cars and planes, Combat aggressive machines, Challenge deadly vehicles, Build custom designs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Aviateur

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aviateur-flight-simulation/id6444638830)

Experience realistic flight simulation with a variety of aircraft and diverse, accurate real-world locations. Engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, master challenging landings, and customize weather conditions for an immersive adventure.

**Highlights:** Multiple aircraft types, Geographically accurate locations, Air combat (WWII and Modern), Dynamic weather system, Challenging landings, Customizable flight dynamics, Day/Night cycle

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fishbed | $0.49 | one-time |
| Lightning II Carrier Variant | $0.49 | one-time |
| Blackbird | $0.49 | one-time |
| MH-6E | $0.49 | one-time |
| Mi-28N | $0.49 | one-time |
| Airbus A380 | $0.49 | one-time |
| Boeing 787 | $0.49 | one-time |
| Chinook | $0.49 | one-time |
| Concorde | $0.49 | one-time |
| Douglas DC-3 | $0.49 | one-time |
| F-16C | $0.49 | one-time |
| Extra 330sc | $0.49 | one-time |
| SU-27S | $0.49 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Amazing flight simulator experience
- 🚫 No forced ads
- 🎮 Agile interface with many controls
- ✈️ Large variety of aircraft
- 🗺️ Evocative graphics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Most good planes cost money
- 💸 Pay to win aspect
- 🗺️ Limited maps
- 🛬 Landing on terrain can be difficult
- 💥 Unrealistic explosions on impact

**Reported bugs**

- Plane explodes when hitting a tree
- Enemy ground units lock on from too far
- Planes cannot be unlocked (network issue)
- Cannot purchase/restore plane purchases (internet connection required)
- Sun breaks the game (makes everything pink)

**Requested features**

- Add 747 400, 747 8, 777
- Add 747
- Add 777
- Add AH64 Apache
- Add cars that drive on the streets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Steampunk Sandbox free?

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

### Is Aviateur free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Steampunk Sandbox or Aviateur?

Aviateur is rated higher. Steampunk Sandbox averages 3.2 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Aviateur averages 4.6 from 129 ratings.

### Do Steampunk Sandbox or Aviateur have ads?

Steampunk Sandbox shows ads; Aviateur does not.

### Which is updated more often, Steampunk Sandbox or Aviateur?

Steampunk Sandbox ships an update every 22 months, and Aviateur every 2 months. Most recently, Steampunk Sandbox was updated on October 27, 2026 and Aviateur on October 30, 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.*