Comparison

SimplePlanes vs RFS

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

Head to head
About

SimplePlanes

Design, build, and fly your own aircraft with realistic physics. Explore a vast community-created library of over 250,000 planes or test your creations in challenging scenarios.

Highlights
  • Build custom airplanes with modular parts
  • Realistic flight physics simulation
  • Download over 250,000 community-created aircraft
  • Engage in flight challenges
  • Sandbox mode for unrestricted building
  • Educational tutorials on airplane design
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Build airplanes by snapping parts together, designing wing sections, and attaching engines. At any time, you can strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies with realistic physics. If you're not in the mood for building, over 250,000 airplanes are available to download for free. BUILD AIRPLANES You have the tools you'll need to bring any airplane to life. Snap parts together to build your airplane's body. Place engines to add thrust. Design and attach wings and then strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies. DOWNLOAD AIRPLANES Over 250,000 airplanes are available to download for free from SimplePlanes.com. Find anything from old WW2 bombers to next-generation fighters to sci-fi spacecraft. You can upload your own airplanes and rise through the ranks from a bronze builder to a gold level builder. DYNAMIC FLIGHT MODEL Flight simulation at its finest. Every little change you make in the designer impacts how the airplane flies. Weight distribution, thrust, lift, and drag are all calculated continuously while flying. Parts can break off in spectacular fashion while flying due to over-stress or by hitting something. The fun won't stop there though. You can keep on flying even with a missing wing if you've got the skills. SANDBOX MODE Use all available parts to build airplanes with no restrictions. The sky is the limit. Literally. CHALLENGES Climb into the cockpit of one of your custom aircraft and see how it does in the challenges. Land on aircraft carriers, dodge surface-to-air missiles, race through courses, and so much more. EDUCATIONAL Tutorials will help players learn the basics of real airplane design and the considerations that need to be taken when airplanes are made.

About

RFS

Experience the thrill of piloting an aircraft with a realistic flight simulator. Learn takeoffs, landings, and full flights with detailed 3D cockpits and extensive airport options. Engage in multiplayer mode or try your hand at air traffic control.

Highlights
  • 60+ airplane models with 3D cockpits
  • 1900+ HD airports with 3D buildings
  • Real-time flights and weather
  • Multiplayer mode with global community
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) game mode
  • Customizable liveries and airport designs
Features
Read full description

EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE FLIGHT SIMULATOR ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE! Immerse yourself in the captivating world of aviation with RFS - Real Flight Simulator. Our cutting-edge flight simulation technology allows you to experience the thrill of being a pro pilot from your device. Whether you want realistic airplane games or a professional flight simulator, RFS delivers an unparalleled journey. FLY NOW, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Learn to take off, land, and complete full flights in a global flight simulation environment. Explore aircraft with 3D live cockpits, visit 30 HD airports, and navigate 500 SD airports. Personalize instruments, use automatic flight plans, and experience the finest detail in this global flight simulator. Master your skills with our pilot tutorials and become a master of flight simulation! Manual/Tutorial: Real Flight Simulator Wiki UNLOCK THE FULL REAL FLIGHT SIMULATOR EXPERIENCE Choose the subscription that fits: monthly, six-month, or yearly. Join virtual aviators and access premium features in the most advanced airplane simulator and flight simulator available on the App Store. BUCKLE UP AND BECOME A REAL PILOT! As a pro pilot in our flight simulator, you will enjoy a vast array of features for the ultimate flight simulation: • 60+ AIRPLANE MODELS: Take command of airplane models with realistic 3D cockpits and authentic lighting. Experience pilot systems and instruments in every flight. • 1900+ HD AIRPORTS: Land your airplane at 3D airports featuring realistic buildings, vehicles, and authentic ground procedures. This is the most detailed airport simulation in a mobile flight simulator. • REAL-TIME FLIGHTS & WEATHER: Join 40,000+ real-time flights daily with live air traffic at global hubs. Experience real-time weather that challenges your pilot skills in this realistic flight simulator. • DETAILED CHECKLISTS: Follow authentic pilot procedures for takeoff and landing to fully immerse yourself in the flight simulation. • ADVANCED GROUND SYSTEMS: Interact with refueling trucks, passenger vehicles, and follow-me cars upon landing your airplane. • ADVANCED FLIGHT PLANNING: Customize real-time weather, system failures, and navigation routes. Share flight plans with other pilots for a connected flight simulation community. • AUTOPILOT & ASSISTED LANDING: Utilize precise autopilot and our Automatic Landing System for long-haul airplane missions. • REALISTIC SATELLITE SCENERY: Explore the world with high-definition satellite terrain and height maps in stunning 3D. This is global flight simulation at its finest. ENGAGE IN GLOBAL MULTIPLAYER MODES • Join hundreds of other pilots and fly together in any part of the world. • Chat with fellow multiplayer pilots, participate in weekly events, and join Virtual Airlines (VA) to earn Flight Points. RFS is the premier multiplayer flight simulator. ATC MODE: BECOME AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER • ATC GAME MODE: Organize aircraft traffic, give instructions, and guide planes to fly safely. • Enjoy interactive multi-voice ATC procedures and communications. Experience the dual role of pilot and controller in one simulation. CREATE AND SHARE YOUR AVIATION PASSION • CUSTOMIZE YOUR PLANE: Design your own airplane liveries and share them globally. • DESIGN YOUR AIRPORT: Model your favorite HD airport, and watch other pilots take off from your creation in the flight simulator. • PLANE SPOTTING: Capture your favorite planes. Experience city lights at night and the ethereal play of light and clouds during sunrise and sunset. • Join the Real Flight Simulator community, discover new flight routes, and interact with aviation enthusiasts. REAL-TIME SIMULATION REQUIREMENTS Internet Connection is required for the full scope of aviation experiences and multiplayer features. GET READY TO SOAR THE SKIES! Buckle up and become a Real Pilot in RFS - Real Flight Simulator! TERMS OF USE: https://www.rortos.com/terms-of-use/ Support: rfs@rortos.com

Screenshots

SimplePlanes4 screens
RFS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimplePlanes at none against RFS's 13. SimplePlanes also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 74%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). RFS's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $5.99) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On rating, 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

SimplePlanes costs $5.99 and RFS $0.99 up front. RFS sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. SimplePlanes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SimplePlanes against 4.6 for RFS. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RFS has 24K ratings behind it against 3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of SimplePlanes's written reviews are positive against 74% of RFS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimplePlanes ships an update every 3 months, RFS every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
SimplePlanes versus RFS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimplePlanesRFS
Price$5.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.6 (3K ratings)4.6 (24K ratings)
Positive reviews83.5% of reviews — better73.9% of reviews
Number of ratings3K24K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#71#5 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size335 MB547 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJundroo, LLCRORTOS SRL

Customer experience

SimplePlanes

All ratings3,024 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews877 reviews
Positive83.5%
Neutral5.4%
Negative11.2%

RFS

All ratings24,065 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews2,750 reviews
Positive73.9%
Neutral9.6%
Negative16.5%

User reviews

SimplePlanes

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun and creative sandbox
  • 🚀 Powerful building mechanics
  • 📥 Ability to download community-created planes
  • 🎨 Customizable vehicles
  • ⚙️ Realistic physics

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches (crashes, invisible collisions, control issues)
  • 🚫 Lack of mod support on mobile
  • 🌍 Limited map/island selection on mobile
  • 🔍 Difficulty finding/downloading larger planes on mobile
  • 🎮 Awkward mobile controls

RFS

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Realistic simulation
  • 🚀 Variety of aircraft and liveries
  • 🚀 Affordable subscription
  • 👍 Smooth controls
  • 👍 Impressive graphics and 3D airports

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and disconnections
  • 🐛 Autopilot and flight model issues
  • 🐛 Lack of interactive cockpit features
  • 🔋 Drains device battery quickly
  • 💰 Limited free aircraft selection

Bugs and requests

SimplePlanes

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Undo function causing plane glitches
  • Autopilot issues (retracting landing gear)
  • Invisible collision problems
  • Planes spawning in ground/air unexpectedly
  • Graphical/performance issues on older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add multiplayer mode
  • Implement more advanced damage/failure models
  • Expand map selection (e.g. desert island, underwater view)
  • Improve AI behavior and add more combat-focused missions
  • Introduce new vehicle types (e.g. tanks, ships, trains)
Show 1 more
  • Add more advanced building tools (e.g. individual part movement, custom cockpits)

RFS

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues when switching devices
  • Runway and taxiway rendering problems
  • Autopilot disconnects during long flights
  • Inconsistent landing gear and reverse thrust behavior

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add more free aircraft options
  • Improve ATC functionality and realism
  • Implement more advanced camera views (cabin, under-wing, etc.)
  • Add support for external controllers (throttle, etc.)
  • Improve weather effects and turbulence simulation
Show 1 more
  • Expand airport selection, especially in Canada

In-app purchases

None

SimplePlanes

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

RFS

Subscriptions8
  • RFS Pro (1 month)$3.991 Month
  • RFS Pro (1 month)3 variants$4.991 Month
  • RFS Pro (1 month)1 Month trial$5.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • RFS Pro (1 month)$5.991 Month
  • RFS Pro (6 months)$19.996 Months
  • RFS Pro (6 month)2 variants$19.996 Months
  • RFS Pro (1 year)2 variants$29.991 Year
  • RFS Pro (1 year)$39.991 Year

Questions

Is SimplePlanes free?
SimplePlanes costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RFS free?
RFS costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SimplePlanes or RFS?
SimplePlanes and RFS are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3K and 24K ratings respectively.
Do SimplePlanes or RFS have ads?
Neither SimplePlanes nor RFS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimplePlanes or RFS?
SimplePlanes ships an update every 3 months, and RFS every 3 weeks. Most recently, SimplePlanes was updated on October 16, 2026 and RFS on October 18, 2026.
Which is more popular, SimplePlanes or RFS?
SimplePlanes currently peaks at #71 in the App Store charts, and RFS at #5. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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