# Absolute RC Plane Simulator vs SimplePlanes

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Absolute RC Plane Simulator | SimplePlanes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $5.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (122 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absolute-rc-plane-simulator/id526919779/reviews) | **[4.6 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simpleplanes/id823869162/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 122 | **3K** |
| Positive reviews | 53.6% of reviews | **83.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #113 | **#71** |
| Size | 174 MB | 335 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Happy Bytes LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/509114226) | [Jundroo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/311852133) |

## What reviewers say

### Absolute RC Plane Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absolute-rc-plane-simulator/id526919779)

**Currently charting:** #113 Top Paid · Sports (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vacca Valley RC Club | $2.99 | one-time |
| Sky Surfer | $2.99 | one-time |
| Piper Cub | $2.99 | one-time |
| AH-64 Apache | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cesna Skyline | $2.99 | one-time |
| Montana 3D | $2.99 | one-time |
| Frendly Rigger | $2.99 | one-time |
| Airbus A380 EDF | $2.99 | one-time |
| F15 Eagle | $2.99 | one-time |
| B-25 Mitchell | $2.99 | one-time |
| P-38 Lighting | $2.99 | one-time |
| F16 Thunderbird | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Planes disappear after update
- Undercarriage issues
- F-15 model broken
- Trim/CG problems

**Requested features**

- More planes
- More fields/scenery
- Flaps
- Retractable landing gear
- More nitro planes


### SimplePlanes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simpleplanes/id823869162)

**Currently charting:** #71 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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)


## Frequently asked 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 #113 in the App Store charts, and SimplePlanes at #71. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*