Comparison

FineScale Modeler vs Model Car Builder

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

Head to head
About

FineScale Modeler

Learn to build and finish detailed scale models of aircraft, armor, and ships. Access articles on assembly and painting, plus reviews of new kits and expert tips. Features a gallery showcasing reader creations.

Highlights
  • Model building tutorials
  • Assembly and painting guides
  • Kit reviews
  • Product announcements
  • Expert tips
  • Reader model gallery
Features
Read full description

FineScale Modeler teaches you to build models of aircraft, armor, ships and more. Clear articles show you how to assemble, paint, and finish the latest model kits. Every issue includes unbiased reviews of kits that were built and tested for accuracy, product announcements, tips from the experts, and a gallery of readers’ models. This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. When purchasing through iTunes your account will be charged at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will auto-renew unless you turn this off 24 hours before the subscription runs out. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Privacy Policy: https://firecrown.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://firecrown.com/terms-of-use/

About

Model Car Builder

This app provides in-depth, step-by-step guides for detailing and building model cars. It features articles from experienced modelers, catering to both beginners and advanced hobbyists. Magazine subscriptions are available for purchase within the app.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step detailing guides
  • Feature cars by top modelers
  • Beginner to advanced tips
  • Magazine subscriptions
  • Visual design and graphics focus
Features
Read full description

MODEL CAR BUILDER (MCB). I’ve been a model car builder all my life. I started as a kid and I’ve been building ever since. In the late 80s, early 90s I published a model car magazine called “Plastic Fanatic”. I sold the magazine and went back to school to study visual design and computer graphics. Kind of fell out of the hobby for a while, but then my wife and friends encouraged me to start building again, that’s when I decided to start a new magazine. Only this time the magazine is strictly a “how-to” magazine. No kit reviews, no events coverage, no new products section, strictly how-to’s and feature cars. Our in-depth how-to articles show you step-by-step how to detail a model car and our feature cars are done by some of the best modelers in the country. If you’re a serious model car builder, or a beginner looking for tips, then MCB is a “must have” for your work bench. Magazine Subscriptions are available for purchase inside this app. Six months subscription - $13.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) One year subscription - $16.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period unless you change your subscription preferences in your account settings. You can manage your subscriptions through your account settings after purchase on your device. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Please visit http://www.magzter.com/ns/privacy-policy.html for our Privacy Policy and http://www.magzter.com/ns/terms_condition.html for our Terms & Conditions

Screenshots

FineScale Modeler4 screens
Model Car Builder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Model Car Builder at 3.3 against FineScale Modeler's 2.2. Model Car Builder also leads on review sentiment (25% vs 2%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). FineScale Modeler's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. FineScale Modeler sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Model Car Builder sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Model Car Builder holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 2% of FineScale Modeler's written reviews are positive against 25% of Model Car Builder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FineScale Modeler ships an update every 6 months, Model Car Builder every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
FineScale Modeler versus Model Car Builder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFineScale ModelerModel Car Builder
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (29 ratings)3.3 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews2.3% of reviews25.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings29 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFlying Media Group, LLCMagzter Inc.

Customer experience

FineScale Modeler

All ratings29 ratings
Positive31.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative69.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive2.3%
Neutral2.3%
Negative95.5%

Model Car Builder

All ratings12 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative41.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

FineScale Modeler

Subscriptions2
  • FineScale Modeler$3.991 Month
  • FineScale Modeler$39.951 Year
One-time8
  • July 2013$5.99
  • March 2014$5.99
  • April 2016$6.99
Show 5 more
  • May 2016$6.99
  • Build Better Models$7.99
  • Build Better Models 2$7.99
  • The Ultimate Guide to Finishing$9.99
  • Experts Guide to Superdetailing$9.99
11 purchases

Model Car Builder

One-time11
  • Model Car Builder - Fall 2013$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Summer 2013$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Spring 2013$4.99
Show 8 more
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2013$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2014$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Summer 2014$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2014 vol 2$4.99
  • Model Car Builder Winter 2015$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Summer 2015$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2014, Vol 2, No. 5$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Spring 2014$4.99

Questions

Is FineScale Modeler free?
FineScale Modeler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Car Builder free?
Model Car Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FineScale Modeler or Model Car Builder?
Model Car Builder is rated higher. FineScale Modeler averages 2.2 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Model Car Builder averages 3.3 from 12 ratings.
Do FineScale Modeler or Model Car Builder have ads?
Neither FineScale Modeler nor Model Car Builder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FineScale Modeler or Model Car Builder?
FineScale Modeler ships an update every 6 months, and Model Car Builder every 3 months. Most recently, FineScale Modeler was updated on October 14, 2026 and Model Car Builder on October 6, 2026.

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