# Ions vs Sandbox Planet

The clearest difference is rating: Sandbox Planet at 4.5 against Ions's 3.8. Sandbox Planet also leads on ratings volume (303 vs 13) and device support (3 vs 1). Ions's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sandbox Planet sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Ions asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sandbox Planet holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sandbox Planet has 303 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of Ions's written reviews are positive against 52% of Sandbox Planet'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 every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ions | Sandbox Planet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ions/id414602147/reviews) | **[4.5 (303 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-planet/id1527841661/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **303** |
| Positive reviews | **83.6% of reviews** | 51.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 119 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Douglas Applewhite](https://appshunter.io/developer/414602150) | [Oscar Tsang](https://appshunter.io/developer/416987065) |

## What reviewers say

### Ions

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ions/id414602147)

Explore a virtual sandbox with up to 20,000 particles of light. Create dazzling patterns in real-time by painting with ions, placing emitters, and using fields to attract or repel them. Features accelerometer support and five distinct visual styles.

**Highlights:** Control up to 20,000 particles, Real-time pattern creation, Interactive painting with ions, Emitter placement for ion control, Attract/repel fields, Accelerometer support, Five visual styles

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Visually stunning and beautiful
- 🧘 Relaxing and stress-relieving
- 🎨 Highly creative and artistic
- 💡 Inspires brainstorming and imagination
- 🎮 Addictive and fun time-waster

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Limited longevity and can get boring
- 📉 Some features not working on certain devices
- 🖼️ Saved images don't look as good as on-screen
- 🖱️ Sidebar and generator markers are always visible
- 🤷 Not much to do for some users

**Reported bugs**

- Rainbow color not working
- Multi-color part not working on iPad Air
- One of the layouts is broken
- App crashes when trying to save a layout
- Requires newest iPhone OS but user is on iPad

**Requested features**

- Add a grid for accurate placement
- Option to hide sidebar/markers
- Add wall/boundaries for ions to bounce off
- Allow choosing number and size of ions
- More control over emitters and fields


### Sandbox Planet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandbox-planet/id1527841661)

Create and customize your own solar systems and planets. Emulate the development of the universe with highly detailed simulation tools. Build any celestial body you can imagine.

**Highlights:** Solar system simulation, Planet building, Universe emulation, Customizable creation, Celestial body design

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5000 GP | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ad | $2.99 | one-time |
| 25000 GP | $5.99 | one-time |
| 50000 GP | $9.99 | one-time |
| 120000 GP | $19.99 | one-time |
| 200000 GP | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Very fun and enjoyable game
- ✨ Beautiful graphics
- 🌌 Great sandbox experience
- 🎮 Compatible with iOS 18
- 🌠 Ability to design planets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive in-app purchases
- 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
- 📉 Slow progression without spending
- 😩 Ads are frequent and intrusive
- ⏳ Takes too long to create planets

**Reported bugs**

- Advertisements have non-functional close buttons
- App crashes frequently
- Video ads for currency don't load
- Bug with GP conversion where it decreases
- Daytime interface is too bright

**Requested features**

- Random planets and stars should spawn
- Add currency earning methods
- Allow naming of planets
- Add more content
- Make the game harder


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ions free?

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

### Is Sandbox Planet free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Ions or Sandbox Planet?

Sandbox Planet is rated higher. Ions averages 3.8 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Sandbox Planet averages 4.5 from 303 ratings.

### Do Ions or Sandbox Planet have ads?

Sandbox Planet shows ads; Ions does not.

### Which is updated more often, Ions or Sandbox Planet?

Ions ships an update every 3 months, and Sandbox Planet every 3 months. Most recently, Ions was updated on October 23, 2026 and Sandbox Planet on October 24, 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.*