Comparison

Absolute RC Plane Simulator vs SimplePlanes

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

Head to head
About

Absolute RC Plane Simulator

Master the skies with a realistic flight simulator for radio-controlled aircraft. Practice maneuvers and improve your flying skills without the risk of costly crashes. Enjoy a variety of models and environments, with options to expand your collection.

Highlights
  • Realistic RC plane physics
  • Learn to fly RC models
  • Improve flying skills
  • Variety of included models
  • Multiple landscape environments
  • Option to purchase extra models
  • Includes bonus helicopters, boats, and cars
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

This Professional RC Simulator is a must have for anyone flying RC. The models fly like real RC planes, and can be used to learn to fly and to improve your flying. A lot of fun for not much money! Any plane crash cost many times more, and you will be able to fly in the sim no matter what is the weather outside! Get 12 models and 3 landscapes with this value pack edition of our Absolute RC Plane Sim, for big savings compared to buying them one by one. In addition to the included content, you can still buy extra models if needed. As free bonus, we added free helicopters, RC boats and RC cars. The following models are included: Planes: Advantage (Trainer) Aquila Low Wing Sport Model AT-6 Harvard (Low Wing Intermediate) P-51 Mustang (War bird scale - Intermediate-Advanced) A-10 Warthog (Electric fan scale - Advanced) Helicopter and Drones: Model CX Coaxial Helicopter Bell 47 Scale Model Racing Drone Quadcopter Boats and Cars Rebel Boat Easy Cat Catamaran Rage 2WD Car Lego Car Included free landscapes in this version: : Osage Park Tangamanga Island Fliers Please try our full featured professional RC flight simulator ClearView for PC here: http://rcflightsim.com - see the video of ClearView bellow. Notes: 1. This is not a game. You are controlling flying RC models that reacts like real flying models. It takes some time to learn, and again, do not expect "arcade" style controls. 2. The onscreen control sticks are just indicators! They are made small so they do not obscure the screen. *** You do not need to keep your fingers on them *** Sliding your finger anywhere on the right screen half affects the right control stick , the same for the left screen part - sliding finger there moves the left control stick. We suggest selecting beginner settings at first few days before you can comfortably progress further. 3. iPad 1 users should not purchase extra landscapes, due to lack of memory. Getting extra planes is OK.

About

SimplePlanes

Design, build, and fly your own aircraft with realistic physics. Explore a vast community-created library of over 250,000 planes or test your creations in challenging scenarios.

Highlights
  • Build custom airplanes with modular parts
  • Realistic flight physics simulation
  • Download over 250,000 community-created aircraft
  • Engage in flight challenges
  • Sandbox mode for unrestricted building
  • Educational tutorials on airplane design
Features
Read full description

Build airplanes by snapping parts together, designing wing sections, and attaching engines. At any time, you can strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies with realistic physics. If you're not in the mood for building, over 250,000 airplanes are available to download for free. BUILD AIRPLANES You have the tools you'll need to bring any airplane to life. Snap parts together to build your airplane's body. Place engines to add thrust. Design and attach wings and then strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies. DOWNLOAD AIRPLANES Over 250,000 airplanes are available to download for free from SimplePlanes.com. Find anything from old WW2 bombers to next-generation fighters to sci-fi spacecraft. You can upload your own airplanes and rise through the ranks from a bronze builder to a gold level builder. DYNAMIC FLIGHT MODEL Flight simulation at its finest. Every little change you make in the designer impacts how the airplane flies. Weight distribution, thrust, lift, and drag are all calculated continuously while flying. Parts can break off in spectacular fashion while flying due to over-stress or by hitting something. The fun won't stop there though. You can keep on flying even with a missing wing if you've got the skills. SANDBOX MODE Use all available parts to build airplanes with no restrictions. The sky is the limit. Literally. CHALLENGES Climb into the cockpit of one of your custom aircraft and see how it does in the challenges. Land on aircraft carriers, dodge surface-to-air missiles, race through courses, and so much more. EDUCATIONAL Tutorials will help players learn the basics of real airplane design and the considerations that need to be taken when airplanes are made.

Screenshots

Absolute RC Plane Simulator4 screens
SimplePlanes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimplePlanes at none against Absolute RC Plane Simulator's 12. SimplePlanes also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 54%) and ratings volume (3K vs 122). Absolute RC Plane Simulator's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $5.99) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On rating, ads, chart position 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

Absolute RC Plane Simulator costs $2.99 and SimplePlanes $5.99 up front. Absolute RC Plane Simulator sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. SimplePlanes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Absolute RC Plane Simulator against 4.6 for SimplePlanes. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimplePlanes has 3K ratings behind it against 122, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of Absolute RC Plane Simulator's written reviews are positive against 83% of SimplePlanes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Absolute RC Plane Simulator ships an update every 6 weeks, SimplePlanes every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Absolute RC Plane Simulator versus SimplePlanes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAbsolute RC Plane SimulatorSimplePlanes
Price$2.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.5 (122 ratings)4.6 (3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews83.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1223K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#106#65 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size174 MB335 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHappy Bytes LLCJundroo, LLC

Customer experience

Absolute RC Plane Simulator

All ratings122 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral4.1%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews179 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral14.5%
Negative31.8%

SimplePlanes

All ratings3,024 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews877 reviews
Positive83.5%
Neutral5.4%
Negative11.2%

User reviews

Absolute RC Plane Simulator

From 122 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Awesome!
  • 🚀 I love it
  • 👍 Lots of fun! Good flight physics
  • 🚀 BEST GAME EVER
  • 👍 Rating

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Lots of bugs
  • 💰 Expensive planes
  • 🐛 Glitchy
  • 🐛 Crashes waaaaaay too much
  • 🐛 Buggy

SimplePlanes

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun and creative sandbox
  • 🚀 Powerful building mechanics
  • 📥 Ability to download community-created planes
  • 🎨 Customizable vehicles
  • ⚙️ Realistic physics

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches (crashes, invisible collisions, control issues)
  • 🚫 Lack of mod support on mobile
  • 🌍 Limited map/island selection on mobile
  • 🔍 Difficulty finding/downloading larger planes on mobile
  • 🎮 Awkward mobile controls

Bugs and requests

Absolute RC Plane Simulator

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Planes disappear after update
  • Undercarriage issues
  • F-15 model broken
  • Trim/CG problems
Show 1 more
  • Herky jerky performance

Requested features

11 requests
  • More planes
  • More fields/scenery
  • Flaps
  • Retractable landing gear
  • More nitro planes
Show 6 more
  • Customizable controls
  • Adjustable trim
  • Ability to see/move camera view
  • Plane breakup on crash
  • Multiplayer mode
  • FPV mode

SimplePlanes

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Undo function causing plane glitches
  • Autopilot issues (retracting landing gear)
  • Invisible collision problems
  • Planes spawning in ground/air unexpectedly
  • Graphical/performance issues on older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add multiplayer mode
  • Implement more advanced damage/failure models
  • Expand map selection (e.g. desert island, underwater view)
  • Improve AI behavior and add more combat-focused missions
  • Introduce new vehicle types (e.g. tanks, ships, trains)
Show 1 more
  • Add more advanced building tools (e.g. individual part movement, custom cockpits)

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Absolute RC Plane Simulator

One-time12
  • Vacca Valley RC Club$2.99
  • Sky Surfer$2.99
  • Piper Cub$2.99
Show 9 more
  • AH-64 Apache$2.99
  • Cesna Skyline$2.99
  • Montana 3D$2.99
  • Frendly Rigger$2.99
  • Airbus A380 EDF$2.99
  • F15 Eagle$2.99
  • B-25 Mitchell$2.99
  • P-38 Lighting$2.99
  • F16 Thunderbird$2.99
None

SimplePlanes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Absolute RC Plane Simulator free?
Absolute RC Plane Simulator costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is SimplePlanes free?
SimplePlanes costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Absolute RC Plane Simulator or SimplePlanes?
SimplePlanes is rated higher. Absolute RC Plane Simulator averages 4.5 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while SimplePlanes averages 4.6 from 3K ratings.
Do Absolute RC Plane Simulator or SimplePlanes have ads?
Neither Absolute RC Plane Simulator nor SimplePlanes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Absolute RC Plane Simulator or SimplePlanes?
Absolute RC Plane Simulator ships an update every 6 weeks, and SimplePlanes every 3 months. Most recently, Absolute RC Plane Simulator was updated on October 17, 2026 and SimplePlanes on October 16, 2026.
Which is more popular, Absolute RC Plane Simulator or SimplePlanes?
Absolute RC Plane Simulator currently peaks at #106 in the App Store charts, and SimplePlanes at #65. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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