# Essential Popstar Life Sim vs Rap Star Rapper Simulator

Essential Popstar Life Sim and Rap Star Rapper Simulator both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 87% of Rap Star Rapper Simulator's written reviews are positive against 56% of Essential Popstar Life Sim's. Rap Star Rapper Simulator also leads on ratings volume (4.2K vs 721) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). Essential Popstar Life Sim's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Essential Popstar Life Sim sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Rap Star Rapper Simulator sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Essential Popstar Life Sim against 4.8 for Rap Star Rapper Simulator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rap Star Rapper Simulator has 4.2K ratings behind it against 721, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of Essential Popstar Life Sim's written reviews are positive against 87% of Rap Star Rapper Simulator's.

Essential Popstar Life Sim ships an update weekly, Rap Star Rapper Simulator every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential Popstar Life Sim | Rap Star Rapper Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (721 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-popstar-life-sim/id6744975376/reviews) | **[4.8 (4.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rap-star-rapper-simulator/id6749179432/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 721 | **4.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 56.2% of reviews | **86.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #99 | **#40** |
| Size | 207 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fortune Ewuru](https://appshunter.io/developer/1810258112) | [Chimpanzee, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1494416672) |

## What reviewers say

### Essential Popstar Life Sim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-popstar-life-sim/id6744975376)

**Currently charting:** #99 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Live the life of a global music superstar. Make decisions to shape your career, release music, act in films, and manage relationships. Build your brand, win awards, and dominate the charts in this ultimate popstar simulator.

**Highlights:** Release singles, albums, and music videos, Promote music via radio, playlists, and shows, Sign with record labels or go independent, Act in films and perform at major events, Win industry awards and earn certifications, Manage relationships and build your brand, Acquire luxury assets and hire staff

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essential Premium (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| God Mode (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Essential Premium (Annual) | $12.99 | per year |
| God Mode (Yearly) | $29.99 | per year |
| 1 Million Reach | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1 Coffee | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 Million Solo Reach | $2.99 | one-time |
| 50 Coffees | $3.99 | one-time |
| 120 Coffees | $6.99 | one-time |
| 100 Million Solo Reach | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun game concept
- 👍 Easy to play
- 💡 Potential for growth

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Save slot not working
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔒 Lack of free options

**Reported bugs**

- Save slot not working
- Game crashes when clicking on saved games
- Insta bug

**Requested features**

- Add back/return buttons to UI
- Allow users to view their own awards/certifications


### Rap Star Rapper Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rap-star-rapper-simulator/id6749179432)

**Currently charting:** #40 Top Grossing · Music, #157 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Embark on a journey from a bedroom studio to global rap stardom in this ad-free music simulator. Hustle for cash, craft lyrics, battle rivals, sign deals, and build a lavish empire. Will you become a legend or fade away?

**Highlights:** Start in a bedroom studio, Hustle for cash and upgrade equipment, Engage in rap battles and collaborations, Sign lucrative label contracts, Build and monetize your music catalog, Write and release your own lyrics, Live a lavish lifestyle and build an empire

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Energy Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Small Cash Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Small Max Energy Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Medium Energy Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Cash Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Max Energy Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Large Energy Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Large Max Energy Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Super Cash Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Limited Edition Pack | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 💡 Unique design
- 🚀 Exciting updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 💰 Monetization issues
- 🔍 Lacking content

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to tap on fan comments
- Crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- YouTube videos
- Grammy awards
- Album chart
- Bigger song chart
- More music awards


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Essential Popstar Life Sim free?

Essential Popstar Life Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Rap Star Rapper Simulator free?

Rap Star Rapper Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Essential Popstar Life Sim or Rap Star Rapper Simulator?

Rap Star Rapper Simulator is rated higher. Essential Popstar Life Sim averages 4.7 out of 5 from 721 ratings, while Rap Star Rapper Simulator averages 4.8 from 4.2K ratings.

### Do Essential Popstar Life Sim or Rap Star Rapper Simulator have ads?

Neither Essential Popstar Life Sim nor Rap Star Rapper Simulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Essential Popstar Life Sim or Rap Star Rapper Simulator?

Essential Popstar Life Sim ships an update weekly, and Rap Star Rapper Simulator every 2 weeks. Most recently, Essential Popstar Life Sim was updated on November 8, 2026 and Rap Star Rapper Simulator on November 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Essential Popstar Life Sim or Rap Star Rapper Simulator?

Essential Popstar Life Sim currently peaks at #99 in the App Store charts, and Rap Star Rapper Simulator at #40. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*