# Approach Control vs Ship Simulator Online

The clearest difference is monetization model: Approach Control at free with in-app purchases against Ship Simulator Online's subscription. Approach Control also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (47% vs 27%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Approach Control sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Ship Simulator Online sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.2 for Approach Control against 3.2 for Ship Simulator Online. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 38 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 47% of Approach Control's written reviews are positive against 27% of Ship Simulator Online's.

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, Ship Simulator Online every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Approach Control | Ship Simulator Online |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews) | [3.2 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ship-simulator-online/id1619013795/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **38** |
| Positive reviews | **46.6% of reviews** | 27.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 26 MB | 307 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758) | [ALSA GAMES YAZILIM SANAYI TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1506901109) |

## 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


### Ship Simulator Online

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ship-simulator-online/id1619013795)

Build your own shipping company, trade globally, and expand your fleet in this realistic ship simulation game. Explore diverse ports and cities worldwide with detailed ship models and ocean physics. Engage in multiplayer adventures and earn in-game income through ship rentals.

**Highlights:** Establish a shipping company, Trade worldwide, Expand ship fleet, Realistic ports and cities, Over 20 ship models, Multiplayer online feature, Ship rental system

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Multiplayer Subscriptions | $0.99 | per month |
| 15.000.000 Money Buy | $0.99 | one-time |
| 25.000.000 Money Buy | $1.99 | one-time |
| 100.000.000 Money Buy | $1.99 | one-time |
| 100 Gold Buy! | $2.99 | one-time |
| Buy 500 Gold | $2.99 | one-time |
| 50.000.000 Money Buy | $3.99 | one-time |
| 500.000.000 Money Buy | $3.99 | one-time |
| 100.000.000 Money Buy | $4.99 | one-time |
| Buy 500 Gold | $4.99 | one-time |
| 500.000.000 Money Buy | $7.99 | one-time |
| Remove ADS | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Approach Control free?

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

### Is Ship Simulator Online free?

Ship Simulator Online is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Approach Control or Ship Simulator Online?

Approach Control and Ship Simulator Online are both rated 3.2 out of 5 on the App Store, from 18 and 38 ratings respectively.

### Do Approach Control or Ship Simulator Online have ads?

Ship Simulator Online shows ads; Approach Control does not.

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

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Ship Simulator Online every 4 weeks. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on October 10, 2026 and Ship Simulator Online on October 15, 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.*