DrillAR vs MPD Simulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DrillAR
Explore a life-sized, 3D Schlumberger integrated drilling system. Examine intricate components of bottom-hole assemblies and gain insight into the latest well-drilling technologies used globally.
- Life-sized 3D drilling system model
- Examine BHA components
- Insight into drilling technologies
- Featured drilling components: Drill Bits, Drive Systems, LWD, Hole opening
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This application currently works on the following devices: iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c iPad 3, 4, and iPad Air DrillAR offers the unique opportunity to interact with a life-sized, 3D Schlumberger integrated drilling system. Watch as the Schlumberger engineered bottom-hole-assembly (BHA) drills across your screen and examine the intricacies of each BHA component. DrillAR provides insight into the newest technologies used to drill wells across the globe. Featured drilling components: · Drill Bits · Drive Systems · Logging while Drilling services · Hole opening services
MPD Simulator
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This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad. This application provides practical simulations of the Dynamic Well Control on the Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) operations in the oil field services. With Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD), when kicks occur, they are typically smaller, contained more quickly, and, in some cases, they may be circulated out through MPD equipment without drilling or circulation interruption. This simulator is the new project based on the Drilling Simulators on our portfolio, but specifically for dynamic well control on onshore and offshore operations (deepwater). MPD System on this simulator: 1. RCD – Rotating Control Device 2. Annular Preventer (or Drill String Isolation Tool – DSIT) 3. Automatic Choke for CBHP (Constant Bottom Hole Pressure), CDP (Constant Drill Pipe), CBP (Constant BackPressure or Choke Pressure) 4. RPD – Rig Pump Diverter 5. BPP – Back Pressure Pump Additional features: 1. Driller Interface based on Pressure Gauge, Weight Indicator, Rotary Torque gauge and Geolograph. 2. Choke Interface based on Digital Panel. 3. Graph in full screen (with background color in black or white) for analysis. 4. Special screen layout optimised for all iPhone and iPad models. 5. (iPad version) Three codes (admin, instructor, student) to view the gas into the borehole, the pressure at bottom, at shoe and at bop and to enable / disable the Lag Time (by adjusting the choke to change the kill pressure and drill pipe pressure, etc). (Attention: The Initial codes: "0000") NOTE: This simulator works with Auto/Manual Control on MPD Choke ONLY. For well control based on conventional rig choke panel, please buy the "Drilling Simulator 3" also available on our portfolio on the App Store. Thanks. Other features also available: A graphical very useful tool for training of roughnecks, derrickmen, drillers, toolpusher, drilling engineers and students in the well control procedures. - Ability to drilling, kick detection, shut-in, stabilisation of pressures; - Interactive System: no pre-set methods; - Ability to apply control methods: Driller's method, wait and weight, dynamic volumetric and static volumetric (lubricate and bleed); - Hydraulics and Hydrostatics; - Behavior of the kick; - Applied with subsea stack or surface stack; - Set well with until 4 sections: riser, casing, liner, open hole ; - Set Drillstring with drillpipe1, drillpipe2, heavy weight, drillcollar1, drillcollar2 Kick Model in this simulator: The model assumes that the kick starts as a single bubble at the bottom of the hole and migrates upward as a single bubble from the bottom to the surface. In underbalanced condition (BHP
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: DrillAR at Free against MPD Simulator's $49.99. DrillAR also leads on iOS requirement (6.0 vs 12.0). On update cadence, ads, 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
DrillAR is free to download; MPD Simulator costs $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on July 4, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DrillAR | MPD Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $49.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 780 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Carlos Moura |
In-app purchases
DrillAR
No in-app purchases
MPD Simulator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is DrillAR free?
Is MPD Simulator free?
Do DrillAR or MPD Simulator have ads?
Which is updated more often, DrillAR or MPD Simulator?
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