# Model Boats vs Model Engineer

The clearest difference is rating: Model Boats at 5.0 against Model Engineer's 4.4. Model Boats also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 15) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 16 months). Model Engineer's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.2 vs 16.2). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Model Engineer sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $22.99 per 3 months. Model Boats asks for nothing beyond the download.

Model Boats holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Model Engineer has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Model Boats's written reviews are positive against 50% of Model Engineer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Model Boats ships an update every 4 months, Model Engineer every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Model Boats | Model Engineer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-boats/id567206330/reviews)** | [4.4 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-engineer/id584847270/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | 44.4% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | **11.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stephen Ellis](https://appshunter.io/developer/567206333) | [Mortons Media Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/510309961) |

## What reviewers say

### Model Boats

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-boats/id567206330)

Connect with a global community of model boat enthusiasts. Share your projects, learn new techniques, and discover local clubs and events. Access a wealth of tips and tricks through articles and community discussions.

**Highlights:** Global community forum, Photo and video sharing, Boat building blogs, Find local clubs and lakes, Event listings, Wiki with tips and tricks, Virtual boat harbor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Model Engineer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-engineer/id584847270)

Explore the world of mechanical models, from vintage steam locomotives to modern engineering marvels. Access constructional articles, technique guides, and prototype profiles. Published 26 times a year, this app offers current and back issues for purchase.

**Highlights:** Constructional articles, Technique and tool guides, Prototype profiles, Current and back issue purchases, Digital subscription options, Cross-platform access via pocketmags account

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Model Engineer Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $22.99 | per 3 months |
| Model Engineer Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $44.99 | per 6 months |
| Model Engineer Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $51.99 | per year |
| Vol. 209 No. 4438 (id:377458) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4528 (id:413119) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4529 (id:413121) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4536 (id:413135) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4540 (id:413143) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4670 (id:493511) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4527 (id:370106) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4525 (id:379801) | $3.99 | one-time |
| No. 214 Vol. 4506 (id:403682) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4582 (id:450649) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 25 Years of Mod... (id:799136) | $6.99 | one-time |
| The Best of Mod... (id:807404) | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Model Boats free?

Model Boats is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Model Engineer free?

Model Engineer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Model Boats or Model Engineer?

Model Boats is rated higher. Model Boats averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Model Engineer averages 4.4 from 12 ratings.

### Do Model Boats or Model Engineer have ads?

Neither Model Boats nor Model Engineer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Model Boats or Model Engineer?

Model Boats ships an update every 4 months, and Model Engineer every 16 months. Most recently, Model Boats was updated on September 14, 2026 and Model Engineer on September 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.*