Comparison

Earth Sandbox vs Aphelion

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

Head to head
About

Earth Sandbox

Explore the dynamic evolution of a planet by altering its core systems like climate and gravity. Trigger natural events and observe real-time population and ecosystem trends. This experimental simulation game offers unique outcomes with every interaction.

Highlights
  • Earth-focused environmental simulation
  • Interconnected climate and planetary systems
  • Dynamic natural events
  • Real-time population and ecosystem trends
  • Interactive experimentation tools
  • Clean visuals and intuitive controls
Features
Read full description

Earth Sandbox is an experimental simulation game centered on Earth itself. Instead of following a fixed story or objective, the game invites you to explore how a planet reacts when its core systems are changed. Climate, gravity, oceans, and atmosphere interact dynamically, creating unique outcomes every time you experiment. You can adjust environmental conditions, trigger natural events, or push the planet into extreme states. Rising temperatures may reshape ecosystems, shifting gravity alters planetary balance, and sudden disasters can permanently change the world you observe. Natural events such as meteor impacts, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and global climate shifts are part of the simulation. Each event influences the planet differently depending on existing conditions, encouraging experimentation rather than repetition. The simulation is driven by interconnected systems inspired by scientific principles. Population trends, environmental stability, and planetary conditions evolve in real time, allowing you to observe long-term consequences of your actions. Features: • Earth-focused environmental simulation • Interconnected climate and planetary systems • Dynamic natural events and long-term world changes • Real-time population and ecosystem trends • Interactive tools designed for experimentation • Clean visuals with intuitive controls How will your choices shape the future of this Earth? Icon by orvipixel from www.flaticon.com Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Icon by Solid Icon Co from www.flaticon.com Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay Sound Effect by Universfield from Pixabay Sound Effect by Kalvin C from Pixabay Sound Effect by Jeremay Jimenez from Pixabay Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay Sound Effect by Matthew Vakalyuk from Pixabay Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

About

Aphelion

Guide a comet through celestial bodies and obstacles using precise flicks. Solve physics-based puzzles across five distinct chapters with over 50 handcrafted levels. Experience a minimalist, timer-free approach to space exploration.

Highlights
  • Flick-based aiming and trajectory control
  • Gravity-driven orbital mechanics
  • 50 handcrafted levels across 5 chapters
  • Minimalist, timer-free gameplay
  • Steer comets and capture celestial bodies
Features
Read full description

Master gravity with one flick. Launch a comet, bend its trajectory around moving worlds, and complete 100 handcrafted orbital puzzles. EXPLORE TEN CHAPTERS • Aim with precision using a live trajectory preview • Slingshot around planets and capture stable orbits • Collect and deliver ice across moving systems • Reshape trajectories with timed engine burns • Survive atmospheric entry and dangerous ring crossings • Defend planets from incoming asteroids • Use animated solver hints whenever you’re stuck Play at your own pace with no timers, energy systems, or forced ads. The core game works offline and fits into a remarkably small download. One flick. One trajectory. One perfect solution.

Screenshots

Earth Sandbox4 screens
Aphelion4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aphelion at 100% against Earth Sandbox's 50%. Aphelion also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.2) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Earth Sandbox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. Aphelion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Earth Sandbox asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aphelion holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Earth Sandbox's written reviews are positive against 100% of Aphelion's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Earth Sandbox ships an update weekly, Aphelion every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Earth Sandbox versus Aphelion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEarth SandboxAphelion
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (13 ratings)5.0 (21 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1321 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size389 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHeechang KimJIUSONG GAO

Customer experience

Earth Sandbox

All ratings10 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative70.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative40.0%

Aphelion

All ratings17 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Earth Sandbox

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Aphelion

One-time1
  • Unlock All Hints$3.99

Questions

Is Earth Sandbox free?
Earth Sandbox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aphelion free?
Aphelion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Earth Sandbox or Aphelion?
Aphelion is rated higher. Earth Sandbox averages 2.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Aphelion averages 5.0 from 21 ratings.
Do Earth Sandbox or Aphelion have ads?
Both Earth Sandbox and Aphelion show ads.
Which is updated more often, Earth Sandbox or Aphelion?
Earth Sandbox ships an update weekly, and Aphelion every 2 days. Most recently, Earth Sandbox was updated on November 13, 2026 and Aphelion on November 10, 2026.

Other comparisons