# Circuit Playground vs Simple Circuit Builder

The clearest difference is price: Simple Circuit Builder at Free against Circuit Playground's $2.99. Simple Circuit Builder also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Circuit Playground's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 53%) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Simple Circuit Builder is free to download; Circuit Playground costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Circuit Playground holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 28 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Circuit Playground's written reviews are positive against 53% of Simple Circuit Builder's.

Circuit Playground ships an update every 6 weeks, Simple Circuit Builder every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Circuit Playground | Simple Circuit Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.3 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circuit-playground/id492487671/reviews)** | [4.0 (28 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-circuit-builder/id1294616098/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **28** |
| Positive reviews | **86.0% of reviews** | 52.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 27 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adafruit Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/492487674) | [David White](https://appshunter.io/developer/911163945) |

## What reviewers say

### Circuit Playground

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circuit-playground/id492487671)

This app serves as a comprehensive electronics reference and calculation tool. It helps makers and hobbyists by simplifying complex calculations for various circuits, deciphering component codes, and providing essential diagrams.

**Highlights:** Circuit value calculations, Resistor and capacitor code deciphering, Ohm's Law and power calculators, Number and character conversions, Series/parallel component calculations, IC and connector pinout diagrams

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Clean, intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- 🚀 Fast load times and responsive performance
- 📚 Comprehensive reference tools and calculators
- 🎯 Resistor and capacitor color code tools
- 📍 Useful pinout references for various boards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ⚠️ Outdated and needs regular updates
- ❌ Limited calculator functionality and flexibility
- 🎨 Poor visual design in some areas
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening multiple capacitors section
- LED Resistor Help Menu crashes the app
- Wavelength to Colour slider inoperable until text field activated
- Capacitor code function broken (incorrect default values)
- Number converter only accepts value 50

**Requested features**

- Update USB Type-C connector information
- Add transistor pinouts and HFE values
- Transistor and op-amp calculators
- Voltage divider calculator
- Arduino and Raspberry Pi pinout references


### Simple Circuit Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-circuit-builder/id1294616098)

This virtual lab offers a hands-on experience for learning about resistors and circuit resistance. Easily build and test series and parallel circuits, measure voltage and current, and understand the impact of component changes in real-time.

**Highlights:** Build circuits with up to eight components, Five component types, Virtual volt and amp meters, Adjustable resistor and voltage values, Real-time circuit analysis, Demonstrates 'Opens' and 'Shorts'

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Circuit Playground free?

Circuit Playground costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simple Circuit Builder free?

Simple Circuit Builder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Circuit Playground or Simple Circuit Builder?

Circuit Playground is rated higher. Circuit Playground averages 4.3 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Simple Circuit Builder averages 4.0 from 28 ratings.

### Do Circuit Playground or Simple Circuit Builder have ads?

Neither Circuit Playground nor Simple Circuit Builder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Circuit Playground or Simple Circuit Builder?

Circuit Playground ships an update every 6 weeks, and Simple Circuit Builder every 3 weeks. Most recently, Circuit Playground was updated on September 26, 2026 and Simple Circuit Builder on June 4, 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.*