Exhaust Note vs Engine Simulator 3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Exhaust Note
This app synthesizes realistic engine exhaust sounds from scratch, based on the physics of firing orders and cylinder layouts. Explore various engine configurations, adjust muffler settings, and experience dynamic features like pops, bangs, and flames. It also includes a detailed 3D engine animation and driving simulation elements.
- Real-time synthesized exhaust sounds
- Adjustable muffler settings
- Diverse engine presets
- Pop, bang, and flame effects
- Living 3D engine animation
- Driving feel simulation
- Tunnel reverb mode
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Exhaust Note is not an app that plays back engine recordings. For piston engines, it synthesizes the sound from scratch, every moment, from the firing order created by cylinder layout and crankpin phasing. Why a crossplane V8 rumbles, why a flatplane screams, why a V12 idle throbs — it all comes from the physics of firing intervals. This app computes that physics in real time. ■ Real-time synthesized exhaust - Zero recorded samples. Crank-angle integration → per-cylinder firing → exhaust-pipe propagation, computed every sample - Distinct primary pipe, mid-pipe and muffler model for every engine - Muffler continuously adjustable from straight pipe to quiet ■ Engine collection - 22 engine and motor presets: inline-3 through V12, two-, three- and four-rotor engines, a 300 kW electric motor and six motorcycle engines - 12 transmission presets: manual, sequential, dual-clutch, automatic, EV single-speed reduction and motorcycle 6-speed sequential, paired with compatible powertrains - Pick a motorcycle engine and the view becomes a motorcycle that leans into corners, with quickshifter, intake and dry-clutch sounds - Crossplane vs flatplane V8 — same eight cylinders, completely different sound - Firing order and rumble index shown as specs ■ Pop and bang + flames - Afterburn pops on throttle lift and downshifts - Flames at the 3D exhaust tips, same instant and same bank as the sound ■ Tunnel mode - Reverb that wraps the sound in wall reflections, like driving into a tunnel ■ A living 3D machine - Crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods rotate in phase with the sound - Gearbox cutaway: constantly meshed gear pairs and real synchro-sleeve movement - Observe the mechanism at 1/10 slow motion, or switch to real time for phase match ■ The feel of driving - Torque-converter launch, rev matching, manual H-pattern shifter - Haptics on rev limiter, wheelspin, shifts and ABS - Analog pedals: press position controls pedal travel ■ Electric drive - Motor, inverter, underfloor battery and fixed reduction in 3D - Original sound synthesized from motor speed, load and regeneration, without recorded samples - Simplified battery charge, energy use and regenerative braking ■ Garage, dyno and mechanism explorer - Name and save engine, transmission, boost, exhaust, body, color and assist combinations; restore the last configuration - Compare torque/power curves and estimated acceleration with shared vehicle mass and road conditions; optional matching gear ratios for combustion setups - Move through the operating cycle and choose a gear to inspect the mechanism ■ Circuit driving - Drive GT and four-door coupe models on the test circuit or an approximate 20.7 km Nürburgring Nordschleife based on public data, with forests and elevation changes - Adjustable graphics quality and saved accelerator/brake modes, pedal response, steering and assists - Local best laps are separated by circuit, engine and boost class; the three-rotor, four-rotor, electric and motorcycle powertrains currently keep records on the device only Power, acceleration and EV battery figures are estimates from simplified simulation, not production-vehicle measurements. Built by a gearhead, for gearheads.
Engine Simulator 3D
Explore and interact with six detailed 3D engine models, from inline-4 to V12. Experience realistic engine sounds generated in real-time and test different gearboxes, exhaust settings, and tuning options.
- Six detailed 3D engine models
- Real-time audio generation
- Multiple gearbox options
- Customizable exhaust and tuning
- Interactive engine inspection
- Multi-language interface
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Start the engine and move the throttle to hear and see the revs change. Explore inline, V and rotary engines in 3D. • A range of engines Explore Inline-3 Compact, Inline-4 High-rev, Inline-4 Turbo, Inline-5 Turbo, Inline-6 Twin, V6 Even-fire, V8 Low-rev, V10 High-rev, V12 Grand and Rotary Twin-rotor. Drag to rotate the engine, then open the expanded view to inspect moving parts such as pistons, connecting rods, the crankshaft and rotors. • Views and close-up inspection Choose a top, side, front or default view, and use two fingers to move or zoom the view. In the expanded view, you can slow the motion down 12× or see through the fixed parts to watch the parts inside, while the sound and revs stay at real speed. Piston engines also show the combustion glow and exhaust heat. • Four gearboxes Choose a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic or 7-speed dual-clutch. Use the gear controls and clutch, brake and throttle pedals for the selected gearbox. Follow the engine state on the tachometer and gear display. With a manual gearbox, revs build more heavily in higher gears and you can feel the lever engage each gear. The clutch pedal shows engaged, slipping and open zones, and you can turn on a large shift lever in Settings. • Drive modes and launch control Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Custom drive modes change the throttle response, automatic shift points and exhaust valve sound. For Custom, choose throttle response, shifting and exhaust valve separately in Settings and save them. Sport Plus also offers launch control. • Exhaust and sound settings Change the exhaust and tuning in Settings and compare the sound from idle to high revs. Audio is generated in real time from the engine's behavior; it does not play recordings of real vehicles. • Ads and access Start the default inline-six engine without watching an ad. Other engines can be previewed while stopped; a rewarded ad is offered when you first try to start one. A confirmed reward grants 24-hour access to that engine on this device. Press Start again after the ad closes. Passes are saved separately for each engine. Expiry does not interrupt an ongoing session, but returning to or reopening the app restores the default engine if the pass has expired. The default engine remains available if an ad cannot open or a reward is not confirmed. Banner ads may appear at the bottom of the screen. No account or sign-in is required. The app interface is available in 17 languages, including English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese. The engines are original designs and do not reproduce any specific manufacturer or vehicle.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Engine Simulator 3D at none against Exhaust Note's 1. Exhaust Note's advantage is review sentiment (93% vs 84%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Exhaust Note sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Engine Simulator 3D asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Exhaust Note against 4.7 for Engine Simulator 3D. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 34 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Exhaust Note's written reviews are positive against 84% of Engine Simulator 3D's.
Exhaust Note ships an update every 2 days, Engine Simulator 3D daily. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.
| Parameter | Exhaust Note | Engine Simulator 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (12 ratings) | 4.7 (34 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 92.6% of reviews — better | 84.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 34 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | Daily — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | seihee han | Groundcode |
Customer experience
Exhaust Note
Engine Simulator 3D
In-app purchases
Exhaust Note
- Remove Ads$2.99
Engine Simulator 3D
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Exhaust Note free?
Is Engine Simulator 3D free?
Which has better reviews, Exhaust Note or Engine Simulator 3D?
Do Exhaust Note or Engine Simulator 3D have ads?
Which is updated more often, Exhaust Note or Engine Simulator 3D?
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