# SandBox vs RobotMania

SandBox and RobotMania both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 84% of RobotMania's written reviews are positive against 37% of SandBox's. RobotMania also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months). SandBox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (46K vs 754). On price, rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RobotMania sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. SandBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SandBox against 4.6 for RobotMania. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SandBox has 46K ratings behind it against 754, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 37% of SandBox's written reviews are positive against 84% of RobotMania's.

SandBox ships an update every 3 months, RobotMania every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SandBox | RobotMania |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (46K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-sand-box/id1547780686/reviews) | **[4.6 (754 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robotmania-physics-sandbox/id6444165242/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **46K** | 754 |
| Positive reviews | 36.5% of reviews | **83.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 150 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TINYSOFT](https://appshunter.io/developer/960613741) | [Simon Zvara](https://appshunter.io/developer/1490607194) |

## What reviewers say

### SandBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-sand-box/id1547780686)

Engage in a dynamic particle physics playground with full rotation. Discover how various elements interact to produce captivating outcomes, offering both creative freedom and educational opportunities.

**Highlights:** Particle physics simulation, Element interaction and combination, Full 3D rotation, Thermal vision mode, Creative sandbox experience, Educational element reactions

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Satisfying gameplay
- 👍 Relaxing and calming
- 🚀 Decent graphics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Too many ads
- 🔒 Forced ads and refills
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔋 Limited resources

**Reported bugs**

- Level 50 is impossible to complete
- Certain materials like rock have glitches
- App crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- More materials and elements
- Ability to save and load creations
- Larger sandbox area
- More realistic physics and behaviors


### RobotMania

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/robotmania-physics-sandbox/id6444165242)

Design, program, and play your own games in a creative physics sandbox. Build robots, vehicles, and entire worlds with realistic physics and endless building possibilities. Share your creations and play games made by a vibrant community.

**Highlights:** Design interactive mini-games and simulations, Build robots, vehicles, and worlds, Program custom rules and win conditions, Realistic physics engine, Intuitive touch controls, Community sharing and play

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Supporter | $0.99 | per month |
| Full Game | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great free alternative to Algodoo
- 🎮 Fun physics sandbox gameplay
- 🏗️ Ability to build creative robots and inventions
- 📱 Works well on mobile devices
- ⚡ Smooth performance and no loading times

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Drawing/shape creation issues after updates
- 🔐 Apple ID sign-in requirement only
- 📦 Limited building space
- ❓ Steep learning curve and unclear mechanics
- 🎮 Confusing controls for new users

**Reported bugs**

- Objects become unselectable after creation
- Cannot drag or move objects
- Drawing blocks stopped working in recent update
- Triggers are broken or non-functional
- Music cloning/duplicating issue

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer/co-op challenges
- Tutorial system for new players
- Gravity control for objects
- Trail effects for objects
- Sound effects and audio triggers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SandBox free?

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

### Is RobotMania free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SandBox or RobotMania?

RobotMania is rated higher. SandBox averages 4.6 out of 5 from 46K ratings, while RobotMania averages 4.6 from 754 ratings.

### Do SandBox or RobotMania have ads?

SandBox shows ads; RobotMania does not.

### Which is updated more often, SandBox or RobotMania?

SandBox ships an update every 3 months, and RobotMania every 3 days. Most recently, SandBox was updated on October 28, 2026 and RobotMania on October 27, 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.*