# Ellipse vs Hold the Keep

The clearest difference is ads: Ellipse at none against Hold the Keep's shown. Ellipse also leads on ratings volume (2K vs 4). Hold the Keep's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ellipse sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Hold the Keep sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Hold the Keep 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 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Ellipse's written reviews are positive against 100% of Hold the Keep's.

Ellipse ships an update monthly, Hold the Keep weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ellipse | Hold the Keep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellipse-rocket-simulator/id6738509541/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hold-the-keep/id6789792806/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 78.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 245 MB | 400 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Starwelds](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895565220) | [BcuzEYEcan](https://appshunter.io/developer/6789792808) |

## 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


### Hold the Keep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hold-the-keep/id6789792806)

Command heroes and use skill cards in this fast-paced tactical survival game. Build your army, upgrade abilities, and defend your keep against increasingly difficult waves of enemies. Each playthrough offers a chance to strategize and grow stronger for the next challenge.

**Highlights:** Command heroes, Unleash skill cards, Battle waves of enemies, Build and upgrade army, Defend the keep, Strategic gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Talent point reset | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gold Pack 1000 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Hero Shard Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Gold Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| A medium pack of hero shards | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Hero 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Hero 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Gold Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Large pack of hero shards | $9.99 | one-time |
| Giant pack of gold | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ellipse free?

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

### Is Hold the Keep free?

Hold the Keep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Ellipse or Hold the Keep?

Hold the Keep is rated higher. Ellipse averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Hold the Keep averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Ellipse or Hold the Keep have ads?

Hold the Keep shows ads; Ellipse does not.

### Which is updated more often, Ellipse or Hold the Keep?

Ellipse ships an update monthly, and Hold the Keep weekly. Most recently, Ellipse was updated on October 18, 2026 and Hold the Keep 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.*