# SimplePlanes vs RFS

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.

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.

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.

SimplePlanes ships an update every 3 months, RFS every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimplePlanes | RFS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simpleplanes/id823869162/reviews) | [4.6 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rfs-real-flight-simulator/id1444761746/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3K | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | **83.5% of reviews** | 73.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #78 | **#3** |
| Size | 335 MB | 547 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jundroo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/311852133) | [RORTOS SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/454802333) |

## What reviewers say

### SimplePlanes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simpleplanes/id823869162)

**Currently charting:** #78 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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)


### RFS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rfs-real-flight-simulator/id1444761746)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Paid · Racing, #34 Top Paid · Simulation, #42 Top Grossing · Racing, #74 Top Paid · Games, #109 Top Paid (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RFS Pro (1 month) | $3.99 | per month |
| RFS Pro (1 month) | $4.99 | per month |
| RFS Pro (1 month) | $5.99 | per month |
| RFS Pro (1 month) | $5.99 | per month |
| RFS Pro (6 months) | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| RFS Pro (6 month) | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| RFS Pro (1 year) | $29.99 | per year |
| RFS Pro (1 year) | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 18, 2026 and RFS on October 18, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SimplePlanes or RFS?

SimplePlanes currently peaks at #78 in the App Store charts, and RFS at #3. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*