# Ellipse vs Rocket Touchdown

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Ellipse | Rocket Touchdown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellipse-rocket-simulator/id6738509541/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-touchdown/id6766069142/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 78.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 245 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Starwelds](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895565220) | [Ufuk AYDIN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883732876) |

## What reviewers say

### Ellipse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellipse-rocket-simulator/id6738509541)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Large Parts | $2.99 | one-time |
| Heavy Lift Program | $4.99 | one-time |
| Expansion | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Realistic simulation
- 👍 Fun and entertaining
- 👍 Good graphics
- 👍 No ads
- 👍 Inspires interest in spaceflight

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No delete button
- 🐛 Physics issues
- 🐛 Unrealistic re-entry
- 🐛 Laggy performance
- 🐛 Difficult to control rockets

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Rocket Touchdown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-touchdown/id6766069142)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full System Access | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*