Comparison

Engine Simulator vs Model Engine Builder

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

Head to head
About

Engine Simulator

Explore the physics of piston engines by building, tuning, and testing them. Simulate combustion and rigid body motion in real-time. Compete with others on a global leaderboard by posting your creations.

Highlights
  • Physics-based engine simulation
  • Build engines from scratch
  • Tune fuel and ignition maps
  • Real-time power and torque readings
  • 3D engine visualization
  • Global leaderboard
Features
Read full description

Engine Simulator is a physics-based piston engine sandbox. The sound and motion come from a real rigid body simulation of the crank, pistons, valves, and combustion, not recordings. Start an engine, work the throttle, and tune its fuel and ignition maps in the ECU. Build one from scratch (layout, bore, stroke, cam, firing order) or describe what you want and have it generated on device. Watch it run in 3D, read live power and torque on the dyno, or push it past the limiter until it breaks. Post your engines to the global leaderboard and compare against other builders. Engine Simulator for iOS is an unofficial port. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by AngeTheGreat (Ange Yaghi), the creator of the original open source Engine Simulator. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Community Guidelines: https://enginesimulator.app/community-guidelines.html Privacy Policy: https://enginesimulator.app/privacy-policy.html Support: https://enginesimulator.app/support.html

About

Model Engine Builder

Features
Read full description

Build, run and collect engines in your own pixel-art workshop. Fit parts, tighten bolts, adjust the setup and time the ignition in four scored stages. Keep each finished engine on your shelf, complete Control and Response inspections, or try an untimed Free Run with throttle, load and start/stop controls. 15 ENGINES Four engines are ready to play. The other eleven can each be permanently unlocked on this device by completing an optional rewarded ad when available. The new designs are an inline three-cylinder, a flat-six and a supercharged V8. A one-time, non-consumable Remove Ads purchase unlocks all 15 engines and removes ads. It is not a subscription. BUILD AGAIN WITH A GOAL Follow your next workshop goal, collect inspection stamps and improve your weakest build stage. Assembly, setup and ignition demands now increase across four-, six-, eight- and twelve-cylinder engines. Compete on the existing online leaderboards through Game Center. Each engine has its own board. Existing board IDs and records are preserved; the three new engines have separate boards. Only completed four-stage build scores from 0 to 1000 are submitted, and higher records are kept. Failed score uploads remain queued for retry. Same-rules comparisons are an on-device coaching aid, not a replacement for online rankings. Core gameplay works offline without a separate account. Online rankings require internet and platform sign-in; ads and purchases require internet. Progress is stored on the device. Engine behavior and readings are game approximations, not engineering measurements.

Screenshots

Engine Simulator4 screens
Model Engine Builder3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Engine Simulator at none against Model Engine Builder's shown. Engine Simulator also leads on chart position (#63 vs unranked). Model Engine Builder's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). On price, in-app purchases 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. Engine Simulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Model Engine Builder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Engine Simulator ships an update every 3 weeks, Model Engine Builder weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Engine Simulator versus Model Engine Builder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEngine SimulatorModel Engine Builder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (137 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings137 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#63 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMUHAMMAD SAAD ATAMIN GYu OH

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Engine Simulator

One-time1
  • Lifetime$8.99
1 purchases

Model Engine Builder

One-time1
  • removeads$1.99

Questions

Is Engine Simulator free?
Engine Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Engine Builder free?
Model Engine Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Engine Simulator or Model Engine Builder have ads?
Model Engine Builder shows ads; Engine Simulator does not.
Which is updated more often, Engine Simulator or Model Engine Builder?
Engine Simulator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Model Engine Builder weekly. Most recently, Engine Simulator was updated on October 28, 2026 and Model Engine Builder on October 29, 2026.

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