# Big Ben vs Smartrace for Scalextric ARC

The clearest difference is price: Smartrace for Scalextric ARC at Free against Big Ben's $2.99. Smartrace for Scalextric ARC also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (92% vs 57%). Big Ben's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (41 vs 3). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Smartrace for Scalextric ARC is free to download; Big Ben costs $2.99 up front. Smartrace for Scalextric ARC sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Big Ben asks for nothing beyond the download.

Smartrace for Scalextric ARC holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Big Ben has 41 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Big Ben's written reviews are positive against 92% of Smartrace for Scalextric ARC's.

Big Ben ships an update every 41 months, Smartrace for Scalextric ARC fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Big Ben | Smartrace for Scalextric ARC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.8 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-ben/id301046876/reviews) | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrace-for-scalextric-arc/id6738653448/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **41** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 57.0% of reviews | **92.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 41 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 130 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ettore Software Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/289507331) | [Marc Bonsels](https://appshunter.io/developer/978458575) |

## What reviewers say

### Big Ben

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-ben/id301046876)

Experience the iconic Big Ben on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Customize your display with digital clock options, a seconds hand, and authentic tick-tock sounds. Enjoy hourly chimes and quarter-hour alerts, even when the app is closed, for a decorative and timely experience.

**Highlights:** Digital clock display, Seconds hand option, Tick-tock sound, Quarter-hour chimes, Hourly tolling, Background notifications

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Authentic Big Ben chimes and sounds
- 💰 Affordable price point (99p)
- ⏰ Accurate time display with working clock
- 🔊 High-quality audio reproduction
- 📱 Works in background (when functioning)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes on various iOS versions
- 📵 Doesn't work when phone is locked/in background
- 🔊 Volume control issues - too quiet or too loud
- ⚙️ Minute hand doesn't move smoothly
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Not compatible with iOS 15, iOS 17, iOS 12
- Doesn't chime when phone is locked or in background
- No sound output despite notifications enabled
- App won't launch on iPhone 15.3.1

**Requested features**

- Night mode/silent hours scheduling (9pm-5am)
- Adjustable volume control within app
- Smooth minute hand animation
- Hourly-only chime option (disable quarter chimes)
- Background chimes while phone is locked


### Smartrace for Scalextric ARC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrace-for-scalextric-arc/id6738653448)

Enhance your Scalextric ARC racing experience with detailed race data, driver and car management, and realistic ambient sounds. Track personal records, share results, and enjoy features like weather changes, penalties, and fuel management.

**Highlights:** Detailed racing screen with driver/car data, Driver, car, and track database with records, Extensive statistical data collection, Speech output for race events, Ambient sounds and weather changes, Fuel management and car setup, Subscription for add-ons

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Commercial Use | $34.99 | per month |
| Commercial Use | $199.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Big Ben free?

Big Ben costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smartrace for Scalextric ARC free?

Smartrace for Scalextric ARC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Big Ben or Smartrace for Scalextric ARC?

Smartrace for Scalextric ARC is rated higher. Big Ben averages 3.8 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Smartrace for Scalextric ARC averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Big Ben or Smartrace for Scalextric ARC have ads?

Neither Big Ben nor Smartrace for Scalextric ARC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Big Ben or Smartrace for Scalextric ARC?

Big Ben ships an update every 41 months, and Smartrace for Scalextric ARC fortnightly. Most recently, Big Ben was updated on October 29, 2026 and Smartrace for Scalextric ARC on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*