# Hello Tower vs Approach Control

The clearest difference is price: Approach Control at Free against Hello Tower's $2.99. Approach Control also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). Hello Tower's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 2.9) and review sentiment (71% vs 36%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Approach Control is free to download; Hello Tower costs $2.99 up front. Hello Tower sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Approach Control sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Hello Tower holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hello Tower has 66 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Hello Tower's written reviews are positive against 36% of Approach Control's.

Hello Tower ships an update every 9 days, Approach Control every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hello Tower | Approach Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.4 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hello-tower/id1572719445/reviews)** | [2.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control-remastered/id6756545492/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **66** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | **70.7% of reviews** | 36.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 412 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sascha Trachsel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1572719447) | [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758) |

## What reviewers say

### Hello Tower

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hello-tower/id1572719445)

Experience realistic airport ground control with this simulation app. Manage aircraft movements, issue clearances, and handle emergencies across over 40 diverse airports. Progress from simple single-runway operations to complex hub airports.

**Highlights:** Airport ground maneuvering simulation, Over 40 different airports, Simplified and real-size airport versions, Pushback, taxi, and take-off clearances, Emergency handling, Level-based progression

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hello Tower Test | $0.99 | one-time |
| Airport Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Sandbox test | $0.99 | one-time |
| Airport Pack | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Realistic simulation
- 👍 Challenging gameplay
- 👍 Good graphics
- 👍 No ads
- 👍 Addictive and fun

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🐛 Unintuitive UI
- 🐛 Steep learning curve
- 🐛 Frequent game over on small mistakes
- 🐛 Lack of tutorial

**Reported bugs**

- Flight freezing on runway holding and turns
- Aircraft getting stuck and blocking routes
- 30-second departure timer disappearing
- Aircraft crashing with held aircraft on taxiway
- Levels not unlocking

**Requested features**

- Add more airports (US, European, Asian, Indian cities)
- Add an endless/sandbox mode
- Add AI voice recognition and ATC dialogues
- Implement a tutorial or walk-through
- Add a 'continue game' or save progress option


### Approach Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control-remastered/id6756545492)

Experience a realistic air traffic control simulation with genuine ATC procedures and pilot voice recordings. Make critical decisions under pressure, manage traffic across 10 unique sectors, and test your skills with challenging scenarios. Includes training modules and career tracking.

**Highlights:** Realistic radar simulation, Genuine ATC procedures, Actual pilot voice recordings, 10 unique approach sectors, 10 ATC challenges, In-built training modules, Career statistics and trophy case

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advanced | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ninja | $1.99 | one-time |
| Approach Control: Remastered | $1.99 | one-time |
| Cornered | $1.99 | one-time |
| Insanity | $1.99 | one-time |
| Windy | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pandemonium | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gridlock | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full Unlock | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hello Tower free?

Hello Tower costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Approach Control free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Hello Tower or Approach Control?

Hello Tower is rated higher. Hello Tower averages 4.4 out of 5 from 66 ratings, while Approach Control averages 2.9 from 9 ratings.

### Do Hello Tower or Approach Control have ads?

Neither Hello Tower nor Approach Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hello Tower or Approach Control?

Hello Tower ships an update every 9 days, and Approach Control every 3 weeks. Most recently, Hello Tower was updated on October 21, 2026 and Approach Control on October 21, 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.*