# Approach Control vs Airplane Games Plane Simulator

The clearest difference is rating: Airplane Games Plane Simulator at 4.3 against Approach Control's 3.2. Airplane Games Plane Simulator also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks) and ratings volume (132 vs 18). Approach Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (47% vs 19%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Approach Control sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Airplane Games Plane Simulator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Airplane Games Plane Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Airplane Games Plane Simulator has 132 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 19% of Airplane Games Plane Simulator'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, Airplane Games Plane Simulator every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Approach Control | Airplane Games Plane Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews) | **[4.3 (132 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airplane-games-plane-simulator/id6511228883/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **132** |
| Positive reviews | **46.6% of reviews** | 19.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 337 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758) | [MUHAMMAD FAIZAN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642272968) |

## 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


### Airplane Games Plane Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airplane-games-plane-simulator/id6511228883)

Experience realistic flight simulation with a diverse aircraft fleet. Navigate dynamic weather, complete challenging missions, and explore stunning landscapes. Engage in aerial combat or cooperative missions with friends.

**Highlights:** Diverse aircraft fleet, Dynamic weather systems, Challenging missions, Realistic graphics and sound, Flight training and aerial combat, Customizable aircraft, Multiplayer modes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Approach Control free?

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

### Is Airplane Games Plane Simulator free?

Airplane Games Plane Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Approach Control or Airplane Games Plane Simulator?

Airplane Games Plane Simulator is rated higher. Approach Control averages 3.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Airplane Games Plane Simulator averages 4.3 from 132 ratings.

### Do Approach Control or Airplane Games Plane Simulator have ads?

Airplane Games Plane Simulator shows ads; Approach Control does not.

### Which is updated more often, Approach Control or Airplane Games Plane Simulator?

Approach Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Airplane Games Plane Simulator every 2 days. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on October 23, 2026 and Airplane Games Plane Simulator on October 23, 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.*