# Rocket Crane vs Spaceflight Simulator

The clearest difference is rating: Spaceflight Simulator at 4.8 against Rocket Crane's 4.0. Spaceflight Simulator also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 37 months) and ratings volume (97K vs 41). Rocket Crane's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Rocket Crane sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Spaceflight Simulator sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Spaceflight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spaceflight Simulator has 97K ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Rocket Crane's written reviews are positive against 86% of Spaceflight Simulator's.

Rocket Crane ships an update every 37 months, Spaceflight Simulator every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on August 20, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rocket Crane | Spaceflight Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-crane/id827684061/reviews) | **[4.8 (97K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 41 | **97K** |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 37 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 8 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nooleus](https://appshunter.io/developer/425879096) | [Spaceflight Simulator UK Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1308057271) |

## What reviewers say

### Rocket Crane

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-crane/id827684061)

Master the art of flying a rocket-powered crane to solve complex construction puzzles. Explore multiple game modes, including challenging levels and a sandbox for creative building. Upgrade to unlock all content and features.

**Highlights:** Rocket crane physics simulation, Complex construction puzzles, 10 challenging levels, Sandbox building mode, Tallest structure challenge, In-app purchase for full version

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1,000 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10,000 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 100,000 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| 1,000,000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade to Full | $4.99 | one-time |
| 10,000,000 Coins | $9.99 | one-time |


### Spaceflight Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceflight-simulator/id1308057272)

Build and launch rockets to explore a realistic, open universe. Experience space exploration with accurate physics and a vast, explorable solar system.

**Highlights:** Build custom rockets, Realistic orbital mechanics, Explore a scaled universe, Visit planets and moons, Open-world space exploration, Real-life physics simulation

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skins Expansion | $2.99 | one-time |
| Full Version | $3.99 | one-time |
| Redstone + Atlas Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Parts Expansion | $4.99 | one-time |
| Infinite Area Expansion | $4.99 | one-time |
| Expansion Bundle | $7.99 | one-time |
| Cheats Expansion | $9.99 | one-time |
| Full Bundle Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |
| Full Bundle | $11.99 | one-time |
| Full Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Realistic physics and space simulation
- 👍 Intuitive controls and easy to learn
- 🚀 Ability to build complex rockets and spacecraft
- 👍 No ads or in-app purchases required to play

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches, especially with large rockets
- 🔋 Potential performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Limited customization and part options in free version
- 🚀 Docking and rendezvous maneuvers can be very challenging

**Reported bugs**

- Rocket parts sometimes clipping through each other
- Occasional freezing or crashing when launching large rockets
- Issues with RCS thrusters firing unexpectedly during docking
- Problems with maintaining stable orbits and transfers

**Requested features**

- Add more planets, moons, and celestial bodies to explore
- Implement a career mode or progression system with challenges
- Allow for more customization of rocket parts and spacecraft
- Improve docking and rendezvous mechanics to make them more accessible
- Add the ability to control individual astronauts and perform EVAs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rocket Crane free?

Rocket Crane is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spaceflight Simulator free?

Spaceflight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Rocket Crane or Spaceflight Simulator?

Spaceflight Simulator is rated higher. Rocket Crane averages 4.0 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Spaceflight Simulator averages 4.8 from 97K ratings.

### Do Rocket Crane or Spaceflight Simulator have ads?

Neither Rocket Crane nor Spaceflight Simulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Rocket Crane or Spaceflight Simulator?

Rocket Crane ships an update every 37 months, and Spaceflight Simulator every 9 days. Most recently, Rocket Crane was updated on August 20, 2026 and Spaceflight Simulator on September 25, 2026.

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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.*