Comparison

Algodoo vs Sandbox Planet

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Algodoo

Design and experiment with realistic 2D physics simulations. Build intricate machines, create virtual science experiments, and explore cause and effect. Share your creations and discover those of others in a vibrant community.

Highlights
  • Create objects with shapes or free-hand drawing
  • Combine components for intricate machines
  • Choose and customize materials
  • Simulate physics with gravity and aerodynamics
  • Explore ideas through trial and error
  • Build animations, contraptions, and experiments
  • Access community-created scenes
Read full description

Bring your ideas to life with realistic physics in Algodoo. This creative and educational app lets you design two-dimensional scenes where objects move according to the laws of physics. See cause and effect in action and refine your builds to perfection. Algodoo is a virtual 2D construction set to enjoy the creative thrill of building fun scenes and machines. You’ll never run out of parts. You can go deeper and analyse the motion and learn about mechanical devices. Once you master the tools and principles, you can build sandbox games or mesmerising, complex simulations. • Use basic 2D geometrical shapes or the free-hand drawing tool to create objects. • Combine components like axles, springs, motors, ropes, and lasers to create intricate machines. • Choose from various materials—steel, wood, rubber, water, and helium—and customise at will. • Press “Simulate” to bring your scene to life, moving under the forces of gravity, aerodynamics, buoyancy, and more. • Use trial and error to explore ideas and perfect your inventions. • Express your imagination with vibrant colors, shapes, and textures. Looking to build animations, contraptions, marble races, moving structures, chain reactions, or virtual science experiments? With Algodoo, the possibilities for invention, creativity, and exploration are endless. With the Quick Tour and tutorial videos, you can easily learn Algodoo’s basic tools and principles. It's not just for fun— the scientific foundation of Algodoo makes it a great teaching and learning aid for exploring physics concepts, operating principles of machines, and even construction. Discover the creativity of others and get inspired for your next build by visiting the Algobox library. Access thousands of scenes created by the Algodoo community and share your own creations by signing up for an Algobox account. Algodoo offers endless fun for users of all ages. Download the app now and start building, and search for #Algodoo on YouTube or social media to explore videos showcasing imaginative creations from our global community.

About

Sandbox Planet

Create and customize your own solar systems and planets. Emulate the development of the universe with highly detailed simulation tools. Build any celestial body you can imagine.

Highlights
  • Solar system simulation
  • Planet building
  • Universe emulation
  • Customizable creation
  • Celestial body design
Features
Read full description

Simulate real solar system Emulate universe develop, build any planet you want. Highly customizable, bulid your own solar system.

Screenshots

Sandbox Planet4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sandbox Planet at 4.5 against Algodoo's 3.8. Sandbox Planet also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Algodoo's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Algodoo costs $7.99 and Sandbox Planet $14.99 up front. Sandbox Planet sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Algodoo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sandbox Planet holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 303 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Algodoo's written reviews are positive against 52% of Sandbox Planet's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Algodoo ships an update monthly, Sandbox Planet every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Algodoo versus Sandbox Planet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlgodooSandbox Planet
Price$7.99 — better$14.99
Rating3.8 (1.2K ratings)4.5 (303 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.7% of reviews — better51.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better303
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB119 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperAlgoryx Simulation ABOscar Tsang

Customer experience

Algodoo

All ratings878 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.5%
Negative23.2%
Written reviews726 reviews
Positive58.7%
Neutral12.5%
Negative28.8%

Sandbox Planet

All ratings303 ratings
Positive86.5%
Neutral3.6%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive51.7%
Neutral11.7%
Negative36.7%

User reviews

Algodoo

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great physics simulation
  • 👍 Interesting and fun to use
  • 💡 Ability to create and share creations
  • 🚀 No ads

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Issues with loading and saving scenes
  • 🐛 Textures and images not working properly
  • 🐛 Laggy performance with complex scenes

Sandbox Planet

From 303 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Very fun and enjoyable game
  • ✨ Beautiful graphics
  • 🌌 Great sandbox experience
  • 🎮 Compatible with iOS 18
  • 🌠 Ability to design planets

Room to improve

  • 💸 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
  • 📉 Slow progression without spending
  • 😩 Ads are frequent and intrusive
  • ⏳ Takes too long to create planets

Bugs and requests

Algodoo

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Scenes resetting to tutorial
  • Textures and images not loading properly
  • Crashes when trying to import images
  • Buttons and controls not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add text and scripting options on mobile
  • Improve mobile UI and controls
  • Implement more features from PC version
  • Fix issues with account bans and deletions

Sandbox Planet

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Advertisements have non-functional close buttons
  • App crashes frequently
  • Video ads for currency don't load
  • Bug with GP conversion where it decreases
  • Daytime interface is too bright
Show 3 more
  • Some options do not charge GP as expected
  • In-app purchases are confusing
  • Black hole physics seem off

Requested features

7 requests
  • Random planets and stars should spawn
  • Add currency earning methods
  • Allow naming of planets
  • Add more content
  • Make the game harder
Show 2 more
  • Add more slots for creations
  • Provide instructions or tutorials

In-app purchases

None

Algodoo

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Sandbox Planet

One-time6
  • 5000 GP$1.99
  • Remove Ad$2.99
  • 25000 GP$5.99
Show 3 more
  • 50000 GP$9.99
  • 120000 GP$19.99
  • 200000 GP$29.99

Questions

Is Algodoo free?
Algodoo costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sandbox Planet free?
Sandbox Planet costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Algodoo or Sandbox Planet?
Sandbox Planet is rated higher. Algodoo averages 3.8 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Sandbox Planet averages 4.5 from 303 ratings.
Do Algodoo or Sandbox Planet have ads?
Sandbox Planet shows ads; Algodoo does not.
Which is updated more often, Algodoo or Sandbox Planet?
Algodoo ships an update monthly, and Sandbox Planet every 3 months. Most recently, Algodoo was updated on October 21, 2026 and Sandbox Planet on October 21, 2026.

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