# Space Simulator vs Space Rocket Exploration

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Space Rocket Exploration at 69% against Space Simulator's 15%. Space Rocket Exploration also leads on rating (3.7 vs 2.7) and in-app purchases (none vs 26). Space Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, ads, 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 Rocket Exploration asks for nothing beyond the download.

Space Rocket Exploration holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 86 and 313 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of Space Simulator's written reviews are positive against 69% of Space Rocket Exploration's.

Space Simulator ships an update every 9 days, Space Rocket Exploration monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Simulator | Space Rocket Exploration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-simulator/id884510216/reviews) | **[3.7 (313 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 86 | **313** |
| Positive reviews | 14.6% of reviews | **69.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 279 MB | 216 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thetis Consulting](https://appshunter.io/developer/339173067) | [Genc Sadiku](https://appshunter.io/developer/1226282762) |

## 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 Rocket Exploration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-rocket-exploration/id1503436748)

Build and launch custom rockets to explore planets and moons in our solar system. Construct a space station with unlimited potential and deploy various satellites. Experience realistic space physics and astonishing graphics.

**Highlights:** Build custom rockets, Explore solar system planets and moons, Construct unlimited space stations, Launch and control satellites, Realistic space physics simulation, Astonishing graphics

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🌟 Great graphics
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💯 Awesome game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Ads interrupting gameplay
- 🔧 Difficult to build space stations

**Reported bugs**

- Rockets exploding on launch
- Satellites randomly exploding in orbit
- Inability to remove space station parts
- Orbit lines not showing correctly

**Requested features**

- Add landing on planets
- Improve space station building
- Introduce more rocket parts
- Add astronaut and EVA functionality
- Implement interplanetary travel


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Simulator free?

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

### Is Space Rocket Exploration free?

Space Rocket Exploration is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Space Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration?

Space Rocket Exploration is rated higher. Space Simulator averages 2.7 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while Space Rocket Exploration averages 3.7 from 313 ratings.

### Do Space Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration have ads?

Both Space Simulator and Space Rocket Exploration show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Space Simulator or Space Rocket Exploration?

Space Simulator ships an update every 9 days, and Space Rocket Exploration monthly. Most recently, Space Simulator was updated on September 15, 2026 and Space Rocket Exploration on September 24, 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.*