# Sandbox vs Solar Smash 2D

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Solar Smash 2D at 82% against Sandbox's 47%. Solar Smash 2D also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Sandbox's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sandbox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Solar Smash 2D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Solar Smash 2D holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.1K and 14K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Sandbox's written reviews are positive against 82% of Solar Smash 2D's.

Sandbox ships an update monthly, Solar Smash 2D every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sandbox | Solar Smash 2D |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-physics-simulator/id1563185441/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-smash-2d-space-game/id1622164579/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9.1K | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | 47.0% of reviews | **82.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 215 MB | 252 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Tran Dinh Hung](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475879763) | [PARADYME LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1327375963) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Solar Smash 2D

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-smash-2d-space-game/id1622164579)

Explore unique destruction mechanics in a space-themed sandbox. Break planets into pieces, control spaceships in epic battles, or design your own celestial bodies with custom physics.

**Highlights:** Unique destruction mechanics, Break planets into pieces, Physics-based planet movement, Control and spawn spaceships, Create space battles, Draw custom planets

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AdFree | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good game
- 🚀 Endless entertainment
- 🚀 Amazing space battles
- 🚀 Customizable planets
- 🚀 Controllable ships

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs with movement controls
- 🐛 Glitches when switching maps
- 🔒 Aggressive monetization with gem system

**Reported bugs**

- Movement controls disappear when switching maps
- Soft-lock when controlling ships and resetting world
- Gem counter bug showing incorrect values

**Requested features**

- Add more ships and factions to spawn
- Allow controlling of larger ships and bosses
- Implement faction relationship editor
- Add pause, slow-motion, and speed up controls
- Expand custom planet creation tools


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sandbox free?

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

### Is Solar Smash 2D free?

Solar Smash 2D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Sandbox or Solar Smash 2D?

Solar Smash 2D is rated higher. Sandbox averages 4.4 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while Solar Smash 2D averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do Sandbox or Solar Smash 2D have ads?

Both Sandbox and Solar Smash 2D show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sandbox or Solar Smash 2D?

Sandbox ships an update monthly, and Solar Smash 2D every 2 months. Most recently, Sandbox was updated on October 30, 2026 and Solar Smash 2D 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.*