# Space Simulator vs TerraGenesis

The clearest difference is rating: TerraGenesis at 4.2 against Space Simulator's 2.7. TerraGenesis also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 15%) and ratings volume (2K vs 93). Space Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Space Simulator sells 26 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and TerraGenesis sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TerraGenesis holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TerraGenesis has 2K ratings behind it against 93, 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 50% of TerraGenesis's.

Space Simulator ships an update every 9 days, TerraGenesis monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Simulator | TerraGenesis |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (93 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-simulator/id884510216/reviews) | **[4.2 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terragenesis-landfall/id1608876858/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 93 | **2K** |
| Positive reviews | 14.6% of reviews | **50.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 279 MB | 327 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) | [Tilting Point LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1095401785) |

## 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


### TerraGenesis

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terragenesis-landfall/id1608876858)

Build and manage extraterrestrial cities on planets across the solar system and beyond. Develop new civilizations, manage resources, and ensure the survival and happiness of your galactic residents in this free city-building simulator.

**Highlights:** Build and manage extraterrestrial cities, Develop new civilizations in space, Manage resources like oxygen and water, Explore and conquer new planets, Utilize NASA science for strategy, Respond to random space events

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Genesis Points $0.99 | $0.99 | one-time |
| $2.99 Resupply Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Genesis Points $4.99 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack $4.99 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Moon Scenario Pack 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mercury Scenario Pack 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Venus Scenario Pack 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| $6.99 Xanthe Terra Pack | $6.99 | one-time |
| Genesis Points $9.99 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Genesis Points $19.99 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Genesis Points $49.99 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Genesis Points $99.99 | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Challenging gameplay
- 🔍 Unique concept
- 🎨 Good graphics
- 👍 Engaging city building
- 🌍 Expansion to new worlds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- ⏱️ Slow progression
- 🏥 High settler mortality rate
- 💰 Monetization issues
- 🤯 Overwhelming negative events

**Reported bugs**

- Tutorial loop issue
- Inability to progress past certain points
- Inconsistent resource tracking
- Crashes on launch or during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Difficulty settings
- Pause/resume functionality
- Improved tutorial and guidance
- Building rotation/snapping tools
- Ability to manage facilities more effectively


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Simulator free?

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

### Is TerraGenesis free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Space Simulator or TerraGenesis?

TerraGenesis is rated higher. Space Simulator averages 2.7 out of 5 from 93 ratings, while TerraGenesis averages 4.2 from 2K ratings.

### Do Space Simulator or TerraGenesis have ads?

Both Space Simulator and TerraGenesis show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Space Simulator or TerraGenesis?

Space Simulator ships an update every 9 days, and TerraGenesis monthly. Most recently, Space Simulator was updated on October 24, 2026 and TerraGenesis on October 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.*