# Approach Control vs Crash Landing 3D

The clearest difference is rating: Crash Landing 3D at 4.4 against Approach Control's 3.2. Crash Landing 3D also leads on ratings volume (38K vs 18). Approach Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (47% vs 25%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Approach Control sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Crash Landing 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Crash Landing 3D holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Crash Landing 3D has 38K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of Approach Control's written reviews are positive against 25% of Crash Landing 3D's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, Crash Landing 3D monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Approach Control | Crash Landing 3D |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews) | **[4.4 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crash-landing-3d/id1491883876/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **38K** |
| Positive reviews | **46.6% of reviews** | 25.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 186 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758) | [Full Fat Productions Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/374306144) |

## What reviewers say

### Approach Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016)

Experience the thrill of managing air traffic in a realistic simulation. Guide passenger jets to safe landings by controlling their heading, speed, and altitude, adhering to strict separation rules. This app offers an authentic taste of air traffic control.

**Highlights:** Realistic radar simulation, Authentic pilot voices, Manage heading, speed, and altitude, Maintain aircraft separation, Simulates final approach procedures, Earn points for efficiency

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Airport 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Airport 3 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Airport 4 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Level 5 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Level 6 | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Realistic feel
- 👍 Good for passing time
- 👍 Challenging gameplay
- 👍 Addictive
- 👍 Professional interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 Game freezes
- 🐛 Does not save progress
- 🐛 Lacks realism in procedures
- 🐛 Limited space for traffic

**Reported bugs**

- Game ends without user awareness
- End game screen broken
- Try again/replay button doesn't work
- Game feels like crashing
- Game is frozen

**Requested features**

- Random VFR traffic
- Varying runway alignment
- More traffic
- Two runways or more
- Departures


### Crash Landing 3D

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crash-landing-3d/id1491883876)

Test your piloting skills by tapping to control your aircraft's descent. Aim for a safe landing or face fiery consequences. Experience the thrill of flight and precision landing.

**Highlights:** Tap-based flight control, Precision landing challenges, Avoid fiery crashes, Skill-based gameplay, Casual arcade experience

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun game
- 👍 Enjoyable gameplay
- 🎨 Visually appealing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Too many ads
- 💰 Excessive in-app purchases
- 🐛 Glitches and bugs
- 🤖 Repetitive levels

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to take off on certain levels
- Plane controls not responsive
- Frequent crashes

**Requested features**

- More plane customization options
- Ability to spend coins on new planes
- Increased level variety
- Reduced ad frequency


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Approach Control free?

Approach Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Crash Landing 3D free?

Crash Landing 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Approach Control or Crash Landing 3D?

Crash Landing 3D is rated higher. Approach Control averages 3.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Crash Landing 3D averages 4.4 from 38K ratings.

### Do Approach Control or Crash Landing 3D have ads?

Crash Landing 3D shows ads; Approach Control does not.

### Which is updated more often, Approach Control or Crash Landing 3D?

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Crash Landing 3D monthly. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on November 3, 2026 and Crash Landing 3D on November 5, 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.*