# Space Academy Idle vs Alchemist's Engine

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Alchemist's Engine at none against Space Academy Idle's 4. Alchemist's Engine also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Space Academy Idle sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Alchemist's Engine asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Space Academy Idle against 5.0 for Alchemist's Engine. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 17 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Space Academy Idle ships an update every 3 weeks, Alchemist's Engine every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Academy Idle | Alchemist's Engine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-academy-idle/id6755444449/reviews) | **[5.0 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alchemists-engine/id6804922440/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **17** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 111 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **16.7** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Roberto Frias Nerio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1692039143) | [Just Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6804922442) |

## What reviewers say

### Space Academy Idle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-academy-idle/id6755444449)

Construct and expand a futuristic space academy, recruiting students and training them in various disciplines. Watch your academy grow and unlock new opportunities as graduates increase its value. Prestige to earn permanent progression and climb leaderboards.

**Highlights:** Build and upgrade a futuristic space academy, Unlock new buildings and optimize campus, Train students across multiple knowledge disciplines, Recruit gifted students with unique bonuses, Collect daily rewards and special gifts, Prestige with Endowments for permanent progression, Grow academy even while offline

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Box | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Box | $3.99 | one-time |
| Shipment | $6.99 | one-time |
| XL Shipment | $12.99 | one-time |


### Alchemist's Engine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alchemists-engine/id6804922440)

Tend to a dormant engine in a ruined world by gathering fuel, crafting resources, and researching upgrades. Forge golems to assist in your tasks as you explore a labyrinthine mine and uncover a forgotten story.

**Highlights:** Feed and stoke the engine, Merge sparks on an alchemical table, Forge and upgrade golems, Research forgotten techniques, Explore a seeded labyrinth, Unravel the story

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Academy Idle free?

Space Academy Idle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Alchemist's Engine free?

Alchemist's Engine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Space Academy Idle or Alchemist's Engine?

Alchemist's Engine is rated higher. Space Academy Idle averages 4.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Alchemist's Engine averages 5.0 from 17 ratings.

### Do Space Academy Idle or Alchemist's Engine have ads?

Both Space Academy Idle and Alchemist's Engine show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Space Academy Idle or Alchemist's Engine?

Space Academy Idle ships an update every 3 weeks, and Alchemist's Engine every 4 days. Most recently, Space Academy Idle was updated on October 30, 2026 and Alchemist's Engine on October 31, 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.*