Comparison

Top Sailor vs Sailing Ship Simulator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Top Sailor

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
Currently charting
Read full description

Top Sailor is a highly realistic sailing and motorboat simulator. Take Top Sailor with you and learn basics of sailing! See how wind force affects the sail and test your skills against AI opponents in a yacht race. Learn how to trim the sails to make the most use of wind energy. Discover when there is a risk of capsizing. Practise sailing downwind and upwind, tacking and gybing. Improve navigation skills, sail race strategy and tactics. • Realistic simulation of sailboat and motorboat • Six AI opponents, from newbies to experienced sailors • Several beautiful locations to explore • Never-ending supply of race tracks: the built-in track generator • Adjustable weather conditions (wind strength, direction and variation) • Apparent wind and telltale indicators • Islands, shoals and dangerous areas • Comparative sailing skill estimate • Record and replay your games • 3D stereo rendering for anaglyph glasses • Winner of the bada Global Developer Challenge 2010!

About

Sailing Ship Simulator

Learn and practice real sailing mechanics with a realistic physics-based simulator. Master wind, sails, and boat control through interactive tutorials and advanced scenarios. Ideal for beginners and experienced sailors alike.

Highlights
  • Realistic physics-based sailing mechanics
  • Interactive tutorials for beginners
  • Advanced sailing scenarios
  • Independent sail and rudder control
  • Wind and wave simulation
  • Anchor and engine assistance
Features
Read full description

Learn Sailing the Real Way – A Realistic Sailing Ship Simulator Experience the art of sailing like never before. This is not just a game — it is a hands-on sailing simulator designed to teach you real sailing skills through interactive gameplay and realistic physics. Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn how sailing actually works or an experienced sailor looking to sharpen your understanding of wind, sails, and boat control, this app is built for you. Learn Real Sailing Mechanics Our simulator is built around real-world sailing principles, allowing you to learn by doing: Understand wind direction and apparent wind Learn how sail trimming affects speed and balance Control main sail and jib sail independently Master rudder steering and keel stability Experience realistic water resistance and wave effects Learn when and how to use anchor and engine assistance Every movement of the boat is driven by physics — not arcade shortcuts. Designed for Learning, Not Guessing If you are new to sailing, the game guides you step by step: Start with tutorial modes to learn sailing basics Progress gradually to advanced sailing scenarios Practice sail trimming, turning, and wind management See how incorrect sail angles slow you down — just like in real life If you already know sailing, you can jump straight into live sailing mode and put your knowledge to the test. Realistic Sailing Simulator Features True wind and apparent wind simulation Physics-based sail, rudder, and hull forces Realistic boat acceleration and resistance Smooth steering and sail controls Calm learning environment focused on skill building This makes the app perfect for: Sailing beginners Sailing students Sailing enthusiasts Anyone curious about how sailboats really work Why Download This Sailing App? Learn sailing without expensive lessons Practice sailing concepts anytime, anywhere Improve understanding of wind and sail dynamics A realistic sailing experience, not an arcade game If you have ever wanted to learn sailing before stepping onto a real boat, this simulator is the perfect place to start.

Screenshots

Top Sailor4 screens
Sailing Ship Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sailing Ship Simulator at 5.0 against Top Sailor's 3.9. Sailing Ship Simulator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 15) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). Top Sailor's advantage is ratings volume (35 vs 1) and chart position (#176 vs unranked). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Top Sailor costs $3.99 and Sailing Ship Simulator $2.99 up front. Top Sailor sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. Sailing Ship Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sailing Ship Simulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Top Sailor has 35 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Top Sailor ships an update every 3 months, Sailing Ship Simulator weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Top Sailor versus Sailing Ship Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTop SailorSailing Ship Simulator
Price$3.99$2.99 — better
Rating3.9 (35 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings35 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#176 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB247 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTOYSPRINGGOLDFINCH GAMES

Customer experience

Top Sailor

All ratings35 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral22.9%
Negative17.1%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive69.6%
Neutral13.7%
Negative16.7%

Sailing Ship Simulator

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Top Sailor

Reported bugs

34 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • Game won't save progress
  • Camera perspective changes at bad times
  • Main sheet unresponsive
  • App freezes and requires reinstallation
Show 29 more
  • Water color changed to black after update
  • Rudder fails to control boat
  • Sail disappears
  • Accidental camera movement causing capsizes
  • Wind shifts too drastically
  • Capsize happens too quickly
  • Incompatible with iOS 11 (older versions)
  • 32-bit only app (older versions)
  • Control on iPad almost unusable
  • Boats don't follow normal sailing rules
  • Penalties for being hit by other boats
  • Starting races aground or in irons
  • Wind sound too extreme
  • Camera button placement issue
  • Tiller issue (resolved by advanced settings)
  • Wind direction changes unrealistically
  • Wind speed too variable
  • Camera view issues
  • Capsize is too weak
  • Graphics are just okay
  • Game crashes and displays last app open
  • Requires social media login to open (older versions)
  • Erratic movement at times
  • Player view control mode after tipping
  • Screen tilts at sharp angle sometimes
  • Landscape orientation issues on iPad
  • Home button on right causes issues
  • Volume button pressed accidentally
  • Speaker covered by hand

Requested features

33 requests
  • More boat variety
  • First-person view
  • Ability to change sails
  • More courses/scenery
  • Multiplayer mode
Show 28 more
  • Free sailing mode
  • Customizable controls (rudder position)
  • Add jib and spinnaker
  • More advanced dinghy classes
  • Random weather across courses
  • French language option
  • Relocate camera button
  • Option to move rudder to left side
  • Add icebergs
  • More realistic wind changes
  • Add catamaran option
  • Lockable camera view
  • Smoother boat movement
  • More detailed player boat graphics
  • Retina support
  • Actual free ride mode
  • More obstacles in free sail
  • Different sized boats
  • Old sailing ships
  • More tabs for larger ships
  • Landscape mode with home button on right
  • Jib sail for version up
  • More parameters on screen and customizable display
  • More levels
  • Exploring mode
  • Internet multiplayer
  • More realistic capsize animation
  • More realistic wind speed options

Sailing Ship Simulator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

15 purchases

Top Sailor

One-time15
  • Basic Tip$0.99
  • Green hull$0.99
  • Yellow hull$0.99
Show 12 more
  • Pink hull$0.99
  • Red hull$0.99
  • 4 colorful sails$1.99
  • Set of 4 decorative hulls$1.99
  • Boat name on hull$1.99
  • Appreciative Tip$2.99
  • Pirate-style sail and hull$2.99
  • Add any text to your sail$4.99
  • Generous Tip$6.99
  • Golden sail$9.99
  • Awesome Tip$19.99
  • Amazing Tip$54.99
None

Sailing Ship Simulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Top Sailor free?
Top Sailor costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Sailing Ship Simulator free?
Sailing Ship Simulator costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Top Sailor or Sailing Ship Simulator?
Sailing Ship Simulator is rated higher. Top Sailor averages 3.9 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while Sailing Ship Simulator averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Top Sailor or Sailing Ship Simulator have ads?
Neither Top Sailor nor Sailing Ship Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Top Sailor or Sailing Ship Simulator?
Top Sailor ships an update every 3 months, and Sailing Ship Simulator weekly. Most recently, Top Sailor was updated on September 25, 2026 and Sailing Ship Simulator on September 16, 2026.

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