# Space Simulator vs Space Shuttle AR

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Space Shuttle AR at 78% against Space Simulator's 15%. Space Shuttle AR also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.7) and in-app purchases (none vs 26). Space Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Space Simulator sells 26 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Space Shuttle AR asks for nothing beyond the download.

Space Shuttle AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Space Shuttle AR has 1.1K ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Space Simulator's written reviews are positive against 78% of Space Shuttle AR's.

Space Simulator ships an update every 9 days, Space Shuttle AR every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Simulator | Space Shuttle AR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-simulator/id884510216/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-shuttle-ar/id1289002724/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 86 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 14.6% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 279 MB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thetis Consulting](https://appshunter.io/developer/339173067) | [Noriaki Murao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1289002723) |

## What reviewers say

### Space Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-simulator/id884510216)

Experience a highly accurate space flight simulation with realistic physics and celestial bodies. Explore our solar system, witness Earth's rotation, and navigate through asteroid rings. This app offers an immersive astronaut experience with real-world weather and G-force simulations.

**Highlights:** Realistic spaceship physics, Solar system exploration, Real-time Earth rotation, Planet moons and asteroid rings, Weather forecast and G-force simulation, Nasa-based terrain and textures

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (26)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Club Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Club Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Club Yearly | $24.99 | per month |
| Remove Ads forever | $0.99 | one-time |
| Discovery Space Shuttle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Challenger Space Shuttle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Endeavour Space Shuttle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Columbia Space Shuttle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Moon Launch Site | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mars Launch Site | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starlight ZR6 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Artemis Rocket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Soyuz Rocket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Aegean SR8 | $4.99 | one-time |
| RX6 Rimward | $4.99 | one-time |
| Saturn V Rocket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starship Rocket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Long March 5 Rocket | $4.99 | one-time |
| ZR3 Arminus | $5.99 | one-time |
| F3 Crusader | $5.99 | one-time |
| Space Shuttles Pack | $6.99 | one-time |
| All Launch Sites | $6.99 | one-time |
| Oberon M2 | $6.99 | one-time |
| All Rockets | $12.99 | one-time |
| All Tykhon Corp SpaceShips | $24.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Aircraft | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Good graphics and visuals
- 🌍 Ability to explore planets and space
- ⚙️ Decent physics mechanics
- 🎮 Fun exploration gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Cannot land on planets or re-enter atmosphere
- 📺 Excessive and intrusive ads throughout gameplay
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases ($4.99-$16 for ships/content)
- 🎮 Lack of gameplay depth and objectives
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes frequently when entering space
- App freezes randomly, especially on iPad
- Shuttle burns up even on the moon and during proper re-entry attempts
- FlyWings ad blocks entire screen and cannot be closed
- Game kicks player out when attempting to return to Earth

**Requested features**

- Add ability to land on planets and explore them
- Implement proper atmospheric re-entry mechanics
- Add more spacecraft/rocket options
- Create airports and landing sites on Earth
- Add satellite deployment functionality


### Space Shuttle AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-shuttle-ar/id1289002724)

Experience the Space Shuttle's return through augmented reality. As the launch director, guide the shuttle from launch to a safe docking with the International Space Station. Witness realistic smoke, fire, and engine separation in your own environment.

**Highlights:** Augmented Reality (AR) experience, Launch director role, Space Shuttle launch simulation, Docking with International Space Station, Realistic smoke and fire effects, Booster and fuel tank separation, Multiple viewing angles

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Realistic space shuttle simulation
- 👍 Stunning graphics and visuals
- 🎉 Engaging and educational experience
- 💡 Innovative use of AR technology

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Placement and launch issues on some devices
- 🔍 Limited control and customization options
- ⏱️ Short gameplay duration

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing and crashing on launch
- Inability to place the shuttle on flat surfaces

**Requested features**

- Add more rockets and spacecraft to launch
- Allow users to build and customize their own rockets
- Implement a re-entry and landing sequence
- Provide more background options (e.g., stars, planets)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Simulator free?

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

### Is Space Shuttle AR free?

Space Shuttle AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Space Simulator or Space Shuttle AR?

Space Shuttle AR is rated higher. Space Simulator averages 2.7 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while Space Shuttle AR averages 4.7 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do Space Simulator or Space Shuttle AR have ads?

Space Simulator shows ads; Space Shuttle AR does not.

### Which is updated more often, Space Simulator or Space Shuttle AR?

Space Simulator ships an update every 9 days, and Space Shuttle AR every 5 months. Most recently, Space Simulator was updated on September 29, 2026 and Space Shuttle AR on October 1, 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.*