# Approach Control vs Space Rocket Exploration

The clearest difference is rating: Space Rocket Exploration at 3.7 against Approach Control's 3.2. Space Rocket Exploration also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (69% vs 47%). Approach Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 12.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Approach Control sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Space Rocket Exploration asks for nothing beyond the download.

Space Rocket Exploration holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Space Rocket Exploration has 313 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Approach Control's written reviews are positive against 69% of Space Rocket Exploration's.

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, Space Rocket Exploration monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Approach Control | Space Rocket Exploration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews) | **[3.7 (313 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **313** |
| Positive reviews | 46.6% of reviews | **69.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 26 MB | 216 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758) | [Genc Sadiku](https://appshunter.io/developer/1226282762) |

## 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


### Space Rocket Exploration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748)

Build and launch custom rockets to explore planets and moons in our solar system. Construct a space station with unlimited potential and deploy various satellites. Experience realistic space physics and astonishing graphics.

**Highlights:** Build custom rockets, Explore solar system planets and moons, Construct unlimited space stations, Launch and control satellites, Realistic space physics simulation, Astonishing graphics

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🌟 Great graphics
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💯 Awesome game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Ads interrupting gameplay
- 🔧 Difficult to build space stations

**Reported bugs**

- Rockets exploding on launch
- Satellites randomly exploding in orbit
- Inability to remove space station parts
- Orbit lines not showing correctly

**Requested features**

- Add landing on planets
- Improve space station building
- Introduce more rocket parts
- Add astronaut and EVA functionality
- Implement interplanetary travel


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Approach Control free?

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

### Is Space Rocket Exploration free?

Space Rocket Exploration is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Approach Control or Space Rocket Exploration?

Space Rocket Exploration is rated higher. Approach Control averages 3.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Space Rocket Exploration averages 3.7 from 313 ratings.

### Do Approach Control or Space Rocket Exploration have ads?

Space Rocket Exploration shows ads; Approach Control does not.

### Which is updated more often, Approach Control or Space Rocket Exploration?

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Space Rocket Exploration monthly. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on October 10, 2026 and Space Rocket Exploration on October 14, 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.*