# Sandbox vs Nextbots Online

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Nextbots Online at 75% against Sandbox's 47%. Sandbox's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (8.7K vs 759). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sandbox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Nextbots Online sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Sandbox holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sandbox has 8.7K ratings behind it against 759, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of Sandbox's written reviews are positive against 75% of Nextbots Online's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sandbox | Nextbots Online |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (8.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-physics-simulator/id1563185441/reviews)** | [4.2 (759 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nextbots-online-sandbox/id1664901779/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8.7K** | 759 |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | **74.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 204 MB | 542 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Tran Dinh Hung](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475879763) | [MAKSIM NAZARENKO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1664901781) |

## 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


### Nextbots Online

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nextbots-online-sandbox/id1664901779)

Experience a thrilling chase game where you're hunted by terrifying monsters. Explore diverse maps, play solo or with friends in multiplayer, and even create your own levels in a sandbox mode.

**Highlights:** Multiplayer chase game, Single player mode, Custom map editor, Voice and text chat, Diverse maps (Backrooms, Construct), Community-created maps

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

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1000 Gold | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100 Gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| VIP - 1 week | $1.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Gold | $3.99 | one-time |
| 500 Gems | $3.99 | one-time |
| VIP | $4.99 | one-time |
| VIP - 1 month | $4.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Gold | $7.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Gems | $7.99 | one-time |
| Golden skin | $9.99 | one-time |
| All items pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Gems | $34.99 | one-time |
| 50000 Gold | $36.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Gems | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and entertaining game
- 🚀 Great multiplayer experience
- 💡 Ability to create custom Nextbots
- 👍 Good graphics and visuals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches in the game
- 📢 Too many ads interrupting gameplay
- 🔧 Difficulty in uploading custom Nextbot audio
- 🚧 Limited map selection

**Reported bugs**

- Nextbots getting stuck in objects
- Inability to save custom Nextbot creations
- Multiplayer matchmaking issues and connection problems
- Game freezing or crashing during play

**Requested features**

- Add more Nextbot characters and skins
- Improve the map editor with more customization options
- Implement a way to share custom Nextbots with other players
- Add new game modes like survival or cooperative play
- Reduce the frequency of ads or allow players to disable them


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sandbox free?

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

### Is Nextbots Online free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Sandbox or Nextbots Online?

Sandbox is rated higher. Sandbox averages 4.4 out of 5 from 8.7K ratings, while Nextbots Online averages 4.2 from 759 ratings.

### Do Sandbox or Nextbots Online have ads?

Both Sandbox and Nextbots Online show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sandbox or Nextbots Online?

Sandbox ships an update monthly, and Nextbots Online monthly. Most recently, Sandbox was updated on September 26, 2026 and Nextbots Online on September 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.*