Comparison

Space Agency vs Ellipse

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

Head to head
About

Space Agency

Design, construct, and launch your own rockets and satellites. Build a space station and explore the solar system in this challenging simulation game for aspiring astronauts.

Highlights
  • Build rockets
  • Launch satellites
  • Create a space station
  • Explore the solar system
  • Challenging gameplay
Features
Read full description

Build rockets, launch satellites, create a space station! Do you want to build and fly your own space rockets? Of course you do! Are you a billionaire? No...that makes it tricky. Fortunately, there is a way for us non-billionaires to run our own space programme...Space Agency! * Build rockets * Launch satellites * Create a space station * Explore the solar system This is a highly challenging and complex game. Only the most talented astronauts should attempt it. Have you got the right stuff?

About

Ellipse

Design, build, and launch rockets with realistic orbital mechanics. Explore celestial bodies and experience dynamic physics for a true-to-life space simulation. Ideal for aspiring engineers and space enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Rocket design and customization
  • Realistic orbital mechanics
  • Explore celestial bodies
  • Dynamic physics engine
  • Space exploration simulation
Features
Read full description

Build your own vehicles and conduct your own space missions to explore space. Launch capsules, satellites, land on the Moon, land on Mars. - Real orbital mechanics and physics, nothing is faked - Planets based on real solar system data - Thrilling visual effects - No ads, no account required, free to download

Screenshots

Space Agency4 screens
Ellipse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ellipse at Free against Space Agency's $1.99. Ellipse also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Space Agency's advantage is chart position (#120 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Ellipse is free to download; Space Agency costs $1.99 up front. Space Agency sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and Ellipse sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ellipse holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 740 and 2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Space Agency's written reviews are positive against 77% of Ellipse's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Space Agency ships an update every 2 months, Ellipse monthly. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Space Agency versus Ellipse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpace AgencyEllipse
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (740 ratings)4.7 (2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.3% of reviews77.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7402K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#120 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB245 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNooleusStarwelds

Customer experience

Space Agency

All ratings740 ratings
Positive84.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews369 reviews
Positive75.3%
Neutral9.5%
Negative15.2%

Ellipse

All ratings2,012 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews105 reviews
Positive77.1%
Neutral9.5%
Negative13.3%

User reviews

Space Agency

From 740 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Challenging and fun gameplay
  • 👍 Great value for money
  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay and controls
  • 🚀 Addictive and engaging
  • 👍 Realistic space simulation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
  • 🔒 Limited parts and features in sandbox mode
  • 🔒 Microtransactions for additional content
  • 🐛 Difficulty with certain missions
  • 🔒 Lack of updates and new content

Ellipse

From 2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Realistic simulation
  • 👍 Fun and entertaining
  • 👍 Good graphics
  • 👍 No ads
  • 👍 Inspires interest in spaceflight

Room to improve

  • 🐛 No delete button
  • 🐛 Physics issues
  • 🐛 Unrealistic re-entry
  • 🐛 Laggy performance
  • 🐛 Difficult to control rockets

Bugs and requests

Space Agency

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Sandbox mode parts not unlocking properly
  • Crashes and freezes during gameplay
  • Inability to restore purchased content
  • Glitches with certain rocket and station designs
  • Inconsistent performance on different devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add space shuttle functionality
  • Introduce astronauts and crew management
  • Expand the solar system with more planets and moons
  • Implement a more realistic orbital mechanics system
  • Add multiplayer and co-op capabilities
Show 1 more
  • Improve the camera and docking controls

Ellipse

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Connected parts don't work
  • Staging issues (last stage goes first)
  • Fairings don't attach
  • Cannot delete after spawning samples
  • Detached parts don't detach
Show 7 more
  • Game freezes during missions
  • Parachute gets cut before launch
  • Expansion pack causes build issues
  • Glitches on iPad
  • Rocket parts don't separate
  • Capsule doesn't separate from rocket near the moon
  • Build area barrier

Requested features

49 requests
  • Add more planets
  • Add astronauts
  • Add a delete button
  • Add more parts (solar panel, battery, antenna, wing, landing leg, chassis, monopropellant tank, docking port)
  • Add electricity consumption
Show 44 more
  • Add plane flight mechanics
  • Add planet navigation (like SFS)
  • Improve RCS control
  • Improve plane aerodynamics
  • Improve RCS in docking mode
  • Add launch instructions
  • Add symmetry feature
  • Add staging mechanic
  • Add modding or community made packs
  • Add individual save slots
  • Add more free stuff
  • Add engine mounts
  • Add SRB customizations
  • Make fuel tanks adjustable
  • Add emergency escape towers
  • Add Jupiter and its moons
  • Add Deimos (Mars' second moon)
  • Add gas giants and their moons
  • Add controllers support
  • Add better damage and break apart models
  • Add rovers
  • Add Saturn V rocket parts
  • Add free space shuttle
  • Adjust planet speed
  • Add more buildings around Earth
  • Make planets more detailed
  • Add more expansion parts
  • Make build area better
  • Remove build area barrier
  • Add Saturn V rocket
  • Add gas giants
  • Add gas giant moons
  • Add Deimos
  • Add Jupiter and its 4 biggest moons
  • Add more free parts
  • Add tutorial on how to build
  • Improve realism
  • Add space stations
  • Add more capsules
  • Add bigger fuel tanks
  • Add bigger rocket booster fuel
  • Add more detailed graphics
  • Add more parts to build planes
  • Add a tutorial for maneuvers

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Space Agency

One-time11
  • Mission 02 Skip$0.99
  • Mission 12 Skip$0.99
  • Mission 15 Skip$0.99
Show 8 more
  • Mission 16 Skip$0.99
  • Transponder Module$0.99
  • 50 Quick Launches$1.99
  • 1000 Quick Launches$3.99
  • Nooleus X Parts Pack$3.99
  • Mission Free Unlock-All$4.99
  • Sandbox Unlock All Parts$7.99
  • Sandbox Unlock Standard Parts$7.99
3 purchases

Ellipse

One-time3
  • Large Parts$2.99
  • Heavy Lift Program$4.99
  • Expansion$4.99

Questions

Is Space Agency free?
Space Agency costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Ellipse free?
Ellipse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Space Agency or Ellipse?
Ellipse is rated higher. Space Agency averages 4.4 out of 5 from 740 ratings, while Ellipse averages 4.7 from 2K ratings.
Do Space Agency or Ellipse have ads?
Neither Space Agency nor Ellipse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Space Agency or Ellipse?
Space Agency ships an update every 2 months, and Ellipse monthly. Most recently, Space Agency was updated on September 22, 2026 and Ellipse on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons