# Top Sailor vs SailSim

The clearest difference is price: SailSim at Free against Top Sailor's $3.99. SailSim also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 months). Top Sailor's advantage is rating (3.9 vs 3.4) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

SailSim is free to download; Top Sailor costs $3.99 up front. Top Sailor sells 15 one-off in-app purchases and SailSim sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Top Sailor holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Top Sailor's written reviews are positive against 38% of SailSim's.

Top Sailor ships an update every 3 months, SailSim every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Top Sailor | SailSim |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[3.9 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-sailor/id430948592/reviews)** | [3.4 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailsim-sailing-simulator/id6464166885/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **35** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | **69.6% of reviews** | 38.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#178** | — |
| Size | 45 MB | 390 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TOYSPRING](https://appshunter.io/developer/430948595) | [Dimitris Rouslan Zavorotnitsienko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1705611194) |

## What reviewers say

### Top Sailor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-sailor/id430948592)

**Currently charting:** #178 Top Paid · Sports (US App Store)

Experience realistic sailing and motorboat simulation. Learn sailing basics, understand wind effects, and compete against AI opponents in races. Master sail trimming, navigation, and race strategy in various beautiful locations and adjustable weather conditions.

**Highlights:** Realistic sailboat and motorboat simulation, AI opponents of varying skill levels, Multiple scenic locations, Procedural race track generator, Adjustable weather conditions, Apparent wind and telltale indicators

**Features:** Game Controller support, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Green hull | $0.99 | one-time |
| Yellow hull | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pink hull | $0.99 | one-time |
| Red hull | $0.99 | one-time |
| 4 colorful sails | $1.99 | one-time |
| Set of 4 decorative hulls | $1.99 | one-time |
| Boat name on hull | $1.99 | one-time |
| Appreciative Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pirate-style sail and hull | $2.99 | one-time |
| Add any text to your sail | $4.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $6.99 | one-time |
| Golden sail | $9.99 | one-time |
| Awesome Tip | $19.99 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $54.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Realistic sailing physics
- ✨ Beautiful graphics and water effects
- 🎮 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 🧠 Good learning tool for sailing
- 🕹️ Intuitive controls (for some)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frustrating controls (for some)
- ⚠️ Unrealistic wind shifts
- 📉 Steep learning curve (for some)
- 🚫 Lack of variety in boats
- 🚧 UI issues and camera problems

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup
- Game won't save progress
- Camera perspective changes at bad times
- Main sheet unresponsive
- App freezes and requires reinstallation

**Requested features**

- More boat variety
- First-person view
- Ability to change sails
- More courses/scenery
- Multiplayer mode


### SailSim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailsim-sailing-simulator/id6464166885)

Learn and experience sailing with a realistic physics-based simulator. Explore the seas, challenge yourself with exams and adventures, and play with others in multiplayer sessions. Features detailed sailing mechanics and marine terminology.

**Highlights:** Realistic physics simulation, Multi-player sessions, Exams and challenges, Learn sailing terminology, Multiple sailing vessels, Keyboard and controller support

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SailSim Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| No Ads Today | $0.29 | one-time |
| SailSim 200xp | $0.29 | one-time |
| Extended Test Purchase | $0.29 | one-time |
| Hints | $0.29 | one-time |
| Show Wind | $0.29 | one-time |
| Show Map | $0.29 | one-time |
| Boost Sails | $0.29 | one-time |
| Boost Engine Purchase | $0.29 | one-time |
| Flags | $0.29 | one-time |
| God Mode | $1.99 | one-time |
| SailSim Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Top Sailor free?

Top Sailor costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is SailSim free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Top Sailor or SailSim?

Top Sailor is rated higher. Top Sailor averages 3.9 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while SailSim averages 3.4 from 22 ratings.

### Do Top Sailor or SailSim have ads?

SailSim shows ads; Top Sailor does not.

### Which is updated more often, Top Sailor or SailSim?

Top Sailor ships an update every 3 months, and SailSim every 8 days. Most recently, Top Sailor was updated on September 25, 2026 and SailSim on September 19, 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.*