# Model Boats vs Model Engineer & Workshop

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Model Boats at none against Model Engineer & Workshop's 16. Model Boats also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 11 months). Model Engineer & Workshop's advantage is ratings volume (15 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.2 vs 16.2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Model Engineer & Workshop sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per 3 months. Model Boats asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Model Boats against 5.0 for Model Engineer & Workshop. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Model Engineer & Workshop has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of Model Boats's written reviews are positive against 45% of Model Engineer & Workshop's.

Model Boats ships an update every 4 months, Model Engineer & Workshop every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Model Boats | Model Engineer & Workshop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-boats/id567206330/reviews) | [5.0 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-engineer-and-workshop/id584861274/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | 44.4% of reviews | **45.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 11 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 & Workshop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-engineer-and-workshop/id584861274)

This app serves as a comprehensive guide for hobby engineers, focusing on tools, techniques, and restoration of equipment. It features reader tips, workshop equipment reviews, and insights into new technologies and materials for makers and customizers.

**Highlights:** Tool and technique spotlight, Restoration articles, Customizer insights, Workshop equipment reviews, Reader tips, New technologies and materials

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

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Model Engineers Workshop Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $13.99 | per 3 months |
| Model Engineers Workshop Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $28.99 | per 6 months |
| Model Engineers Workshop Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $54.99 | per year |
| December 2012 (id:739873) | $4.99 | one-time |
| November 2012 (id:736663) | $4.99 | one-time |
| September 2012 (id:739326) | $4.99 | one-time |
| August 2012 (id:739582) | $4.99 | one-time |
| July 2016 (id:750436) | $4.99 | one-time |
| March 2016 (id:750428) | $4.99 | one-time |
| April 2016 (id:750430) | $4.99 | one-time |
| January 2015 (id:740290) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 300 Years of th... (id:739620) | $4.99 | one-time |
| February 2014 (id:740353) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 25 Years of Mod... (id:799138) | $6.99 | one-time |
| The Best of Mod... (id:807413) | $7.99 | one-time |
| Trains at War (id:807737) | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Model Boats free?

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

### Is Model Engineer & Workshop free?

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

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

Model Boats and Model Engineer & Workshop are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 15 ratings respectively.

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

Neither Model Boats nor Model Engineer & Workshop shows ads.

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

Model Boats ships an update every 4 months, and Model Engineer & Workshop every 11 months. Most recently, Model Boats was updated on September 14, 2026 and Model Engineer & Workshop on September 17, 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.*