# Approach Control vs Flight Simulator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Approach Control at 47% against Flight Simulator's 0%. Approach Control also leads on rating (3.2 vs 1.8) and ads (none vs shown). Flight Simulator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Approach Control holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Approach Control's written reviews are positive against 0% of Flight Simulator's.

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, Flight Simulator every 30 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Approach Control | Flight Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews)** | [1.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-simulator-plane-games/id1618737142/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **46.6% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 30 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 26 MB | 78 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) | [Rashid Nisar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1568046156) |

## 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


### Flight Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-simulator-plane-games/id1618737142)

Experience the thrill of being a pilot in this 3D flight simulator. Explore a vast open world, fly various modern aircraft, and complete challenging missions. Fulfill the duties of an international airline pilot with realistic controls and graphics.

**Highlights:** Ultra-speed advanced airplane flight simulator, International airline pilot duties, Explore massive open-world environment, Take off from 7 airports, Collection of super-fast passenger airplanes, Amazing HD graphics, Smooth and easy flying controls

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Approach Control free?

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

### Is Flight Simulator free?

Flight Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Approach Control or Flight Simulator?

Approach Control is rated higher. Approach Control averages 3.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Flight Simulator averages 1.8 from 4 ratings.

### Do Approach Control or Flight Simulator have ads?

Flight Simulator shows ads; Approach Control does not.

### Which is updated more often, Approach Control or Flight Simulator?

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Flight Simulator every 30 months. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on October 10, 2026 and Flight Simulator 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.*