Comparison

Ellipse vs Rocket Touchdown

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

Head to head
About

Ellipse

Design, build, and launch rockets with realistic orbital mechanics. Explore celestial bodies and experience dynamic physics for a true-to-life space simulation. Ideal for aspiring engineers and space enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Rocket design and customization
  • Realistic orbital mechanics
  • Explore celestial bodies
  • Dynamic physics engine
  • Space exploration simulation
Features
Read full description

Build your own vehicles and conduct your own space missions to explore space. Launch capsules, satellites, land on the Moon, land on Mars. - Real orbital mechanics and physics, nothing is faked - Planets based on real solar system data - Thrilling visual effects - No ads, no account required, free to download

About

Rocket Touchdown

Test your piloting skills in a challenging space landing simulator. Manage fuel, fight gravity, and navigate hazards across different celestial bodies. Master precise controls for a brutal, physics-based arcade experience with a retro-futuristic aesthetic.

Highlights
  • Authentic flight physics
  • Multiple environments (Earth, Moon, Mars)
  • Dynamic hazards (meteors, lasers, black holes)
  • Global leaderboards
  • Retro-futuristic brutalist interface
  • Limited fuel management
Features
Read full description

[ SYSTEM ACTIVE ] Welcome to Rocket Touchdown — a no-forgiveness landing simulation. This isn’t just a game. It’s a test of precision, control, and physics. Your mission is simple: Control your spacecraft, manage limited fuel, fight gravity… and land safely. But one mistake? Total mission failure. Built on pure physics and wrapped in a retro-futuristic terminal aesthetic, Rocket Touchdown delivers a brutal, skill-based arcade experience. Key Features • Authentic Flight Physics Master the balance between main thrusters and RCS controls. Every input matters. • 8 Unique Spacecraft Unlock and command 8 distinct crafts—from the agile Hermes to the titan Zenith—each with unique thrust, armor, and handling profiles. • Flight Directives & Daily Protocols Access the onboard Flight Terminal. Complete 75+ career directives across 9 flight disciplines, tackle 24-hour rotating daily protocols, claim rewards, and rise from Cadet to Cosmic Legend. • Multiple Environments Train on Earth, survive the Moon, and conquer Mars across 99 progressive missions. • Dynamic Hazards Dodge meteors, endure laser strikes, collect orbital shields, and exploit mysterious wormhole warps. • Global Leaderboards Compete worldwide on Game Center and prove you’re the ultimate pilot. • Brutalist Interface CRT scanlines, monochrome displays, and immersive deep-space audio. Do you have the precision to land? Or will you burn on impact? [ LAUNCH SEQUENCE INITIATED ]

Screenshots

Ellipse4 screens
Rocket Touchdown4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Ellipse at none against Rocket Touchdown's shown. Ellipse also leads on ratings volume (2K vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Rocket Touchdown's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. Ellipse sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Rocket Touchdown sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rocket Touchdown holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ellipse has 2K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ellipse ships an update monthly, Rocket Touchdown every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Ellipse versus Rocket Touchdown: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEllipseRocket Touchdown
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings2K — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 8 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size245 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStarweldsUfuk AYDIN

Customer experience

Ellipse

All ratings2,012 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral8.8%
Negative12.3%

Rocket Touchdown

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Ellipse

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Connected parts don't work
  • Staging issues (last stage goes first)
  • Fairings don't attach
  • Cannot delete after spawning samples
  • Detached parts don't detach
Show 7 more
  • Game freezes during missions
  • Parachute gets cut before launch
  • Expansion pack causes build issues
  • Glitches on iPad
  • Rocket parts don't separate
  • Capsule doesn't separate from rocket near the moon
  • Build area barrier

Requested features

49 requests
  • Add more planets
  • Add astronauts
  • Add a delete button
  • Add more parts (solar panel, battery, antenna, wing, landing leg, chassis, monopropellant tank, docking port)
  • Add electricity consumption
Show 44 more
  • Add plane flight mechanics
  • Add planet navigation (like SFS)
  • Improve RCS control
  • Improve plane aerodynamics
  • Improve RCS in docking mode
  • Add launch instructions
  • Add symmetry feature
  • Add staging mechanic
  • Add modding or community made packs
  • Add individual save slots
  • Add more free stuff
  • Add engine mounts
  • Add SRB customizations
  • Make fuel tanks adjustable
  • Add emergency escape towers
  • Add Jupiter and its moons
  • Add Deimos (Mars' second moon)
  • Add gas giants and their moons
  • Add controllers support
  • Add better damage and break apart models
  • Add rovers
  • Add Saturn V rocket parts
  • Add free space shuttle
  • Adjust planet speed
  • Add more buildings around Earth
  • Make planets more detailed
  • Add more expansion parts
  • Make build area better
  • Remove build area barrier
  • Add Saturn V rocket
  • Add gas giants
  • Add gas giant moons
  • Add Deimos
  • Add Jupiter and its 4 biggest moons
  • Add more free parts
  • Add tutorial on how to build
  • Improve realism
  • Add space stations
  • Add more capsules
  • Add bigger fuel tanks
  • Add bigger rocket booster fuel
  • Add more detailed graphics
  • Add more parts to build planes
  • Add a tutorial for maneuvers

Rocket Touchdown

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Ellipse

One-time3
  • Large Parts$2.99
  • Heavy Lift Program$4.99
  • Expansion$4.99
1 purchases

Rocket Touchdown

One-time1
  • Full System Access$0.99

Questions

Is Ellipse free?
Ellipse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rocket Touchdown free?
Rocket Touchdown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ellipse or Rocket Touchdown?
Rocket Touchdown is rated higher. Ellipse averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Rocket Touchdown averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Ellipse or Rocket Touchdown have ads?
Rocket Touchdown shows ads; Ellipse does not.
Which is updated more often, Ellipse or Rocket Touchdown?
Ellipse ships an update monthly, and Rocket Touchdown every 8 days. Most recently, Ellipse was updated on October 14, 2026 and Rocket Touchdown on October 5, 2026.

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