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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

F18 Carrier Landing Lite vs RFS

F18 Carrier Landing Lite 4.6★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 60
Winner RFS
RFS 4.6★ · $0.99 75

RFS is the better choice for a more comprehensive and realistic flight simulation experience, despite its subscription model, while F18 Carrier Landing Lite is a simpler, free-to-start option focused primarily on carrier landings.

Full reviews: F18 Carrier Landing Lite · RFS

RFS offers a more realistic and feature-rich flight simulator with detailed graphics and various aircraft, but many features are locked behind a subscription. F18 Carrier Landing Lite is free but has simpler graphics, limited free content, and frequently criticized controls and ads.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: RFSR3R13R14R15
F18 Carrier Landing Lite F18 Carrier Landing Lite users enjoy the core carrier landing experience and missions, but frequently request more planes, weapons, and dogfighting capabilities, noting that most additional content is paid R3R13R14R15.
RFS RFS offers a wider range of aircraft and features like autopilot and failures, with users frequently requesting more free planes, new aircraft models, and more detailed scenery R67.
Ease of Use and Controls tieR1R6R9R18
F18 Carrier Landing Lite Many F18 Carrier Landing Lite users find the controls difficult, especially on tablets, citing issues with steering by tilting the entire screen and the lack of a virtual joystick R1R6R18. Some also report planes stalling or spinning uncontrollably R9R26.
RFS RFS users have mixed opinions on controls, with some finding specific aircraft like the 737 too sensitive and others requesting a joystick mode R88. Some also experience issues with planes not taking off or crashing unexpectedly after updates .
Reliability and Performance tieR9R25R35R36
F18 Carrier Landing Lite F18 Carrier Landing Lite users report issues with the game stalling, crashing, or getting stuck on a black screen R9R25R36. Some also mention bugs with missions or planes exploding unexpectedly R35.
RFS RFS users frequently report issues with the game not loading, getting stuck on loading screens, or crashing R75. There are also reports of subscription access problems R69R70R73R76.
Graphics and Realism edge: RFSR8R12R20R26
F18 Carrier Landing Lite F18 Carrier Landing Lite users describe the graphics as decent but needing work, with requests for more detail in scenery and improved sound quality R12R20. Some praise the realism of the simulation, while others criticize unrealistic physics R8R26.
RFS RFS users generally praise the graphics and realism, noting features like real-time day/night cycles and detailed airports . However, some desire more detailed cities, better crash graphics, and improved night lighting .
Price and Value tieR3R4R10R15
F18 Carrier Landing Lite F18 Carrier Landing Lite is free to download but heavily criticized for requiring payment for most planes and maps, with users feeling it's a 'pay to play' or 'pay to win' model R3R4R15R18. Frequent ads are also a major complaint R10R42.
RFS RFS costs $0.99 to download, but many users express frustration over the need for a 'Pro' subscription to access most planes and multiplayer, feeling they are paying twice or that the free content is too limited R67R69R70.
Support and Updates tieR13R44R64R75
F18 Carrier Landing Lite F18 Carrier Landing Lite users frequently request updates, new aircraft, and features, with some noting that the game hasn't been updated in years R13R44.
RFS RFS users report issues with customer service, particularly regarding subscription problems, with some stating that support never answers R75. Users also request more frequent updates and fixes for bugs R64.
Pick F18 Carrier Landing Lite if

You want a free-to-start game primarily focused on carrier landings and don't mind tilt controls or frequent ads R8.

Pick RFS if

You are looking for a more realistic and feature-rich flight simulator with better graphics and a wider variety of aircraft, and are willing to pay for a subscription to unlock full content .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to their monetization strategies, with F18 Carrier Landing Lite being free but heavily IAP-driven and ad-supported, and RFS being a paid app with a mandatory subscription for most features. This creates an asymmetry where free users of F18 Lite complain about limits and ads, while RFS users, having already paid, complain about additional subscription costs and lack of free content.

Frequently asked

Is F18 Carrier Landing Lite truly free to play?
F18 Carrier Landing Lite is free to download, but users report that most planes and maps require in-app purchases, and the game contains frequent and intrusive ads R4R10R15R42.
What are the main control issues in F18 Carrier Landing Lite?
The main control issues in F18 Carrier Landing Lite stem from its tilt-based steering, which many users find difficult and unrealistic, especially on tablets, and the lack of a virtual joystick option R1R6R18R48.
Does RFS offer many free planes?
RFS offers a very limited selection of free planes, with users frequently complaining that only three aircraft are available without purchasing the 'Pro' subscription R67R81R88R97.
Are there issues with RFS subscriptions?
Yes, many RFS users report significant issues with their Pro subscriptions, including purchases not being recognized, losing access after getting a new device, and a lack of customer support to resolve these problems R69R70R73R76.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US Hello?: Can you guys atleast add a way to get planes in this game? I don’t really care how hard it will be to get planes and maps.
  2. [R13] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 1/5 · US Updates?: Needs updates, new aircraft, weapons use and I t reactive targets
  3. [R14] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 5/5 · US Great game: This game is very fun and I really enjoyed it but it is just landing on a airbase or aircraft carrier there is no dogfighting
  4. [R15] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US READ THIS: Fire of all the game is fun I like the missions but I got a BIG pet peeve you have us buy planes for a different experience but you spend money or has to buy another game it ridiculous.
  5. [R1] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 1/5 · US Junk game: This game is so crud. You have to steer with the whole screen if you have a tablet it’s like steering where the screen.
  6. [R6] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US Harder to control than Real: It’s fun but Carrier Landings are designed to be harder than what it would be in real life with realistic wind and carrier motion but with the aircraft control response “dumbed down” and slow which makes adjusting the landing approach unrealistically harder than real life.
  7. [R9] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US Why does it keep stalling: IT KEEPS STALLING
  8. [R18] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US I can’t fly: So it’s true that I can’t fly in this game, this game doesn’t have a joystick or anything so I have to painfully turn my entire iPad which is something I’m bad at. I just don’t like the fact there’s no joystick in this game. But this is a pretty good game after all (except for the fact you have to buy every plane except the f18 with real money.)
  9. [R25] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 1/5 · US Can’t even play: The screen just stays black can’t even play
  10. [R35] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 5/5 · US Great game but: The emergency landing mission has a bug, when my engines shut down and I'm about to land at the dock the plane explodes.
  11. [R36] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US Training 2 (instruments): So on training 2 instruments when it says hud screen and flight information and when it’s gone it kicks me out of the whole game
  12. [R8] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 5/5 · US Best game ever: The game is really fun because you get to actually play the game and is a very fun game and it get to feel the actual simulation like it is in real life.
  13. [R12] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · US Good but needs work: The game has overall good physics and decent graphics but the other planes are overpriced and you should be allowed for 360 control of your plane and not forced to make a role and be able to fly upside down
  14. [R20] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 5/5 · US great game but my recommendations to the makers: fantastic game i’ve had it for years and i’ve made many purchases but id like to ask for a couple improvements. the physics are pretty good as far as im concerned but id like the ability to land lightly instead of my front gear slamming down every time. idk it just would make it satisfying. id also like improvements to the sound quality. honestl
  15. [R26] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 4/5 · US Some problems: I don’t know if this is realistic, but when I stall the plane just nosedives uncontrollably. I would think it would just fall and not rotate, but maybe it’s a me problem. Also, i think you should add the ability to actually land things other than the bridges and the airports. When I tried to land very softly on regular ground, as in, dirt, I kinda just evaporated. Also landings on w
  16. [R4] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 1/5 · US Worst game ever: You have to pay to just play the game
  17. [R10] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 1/5 · US Ad after ad: Waste of time
  18. [R44] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 4/5 · US Good but need to add: It has been 4 years I had this game and It never updated.This game is not bad but need to add like old planes like the P 51 mustang. Also can we say that we can shoot things with our jets. Like I have the A 10 thunderbolt but with the bomb underneath it. Pls add were we can shoot things, or drop bombs on things or have a dog fight with enemy air defense. So pls make it were w
  19. [R64] RFS 2/5 · US Needs more updates: I’ve been playing Real Flight Simulator for about 4, 5 years, and overall I love the game. It’s one of the best mobile flight simulators out there, but there are a few major issues that have been frustrating me for a long time. My biggest complaint is multiplayer. Players can taxi straight through or into your aircraft with no collision avoidance. It completely ruins the realis
  20. [R75] RFS 3/5 · US Not Working: Hey guys and ROTROS, I finally decided to download this game back 4 days ago and I just get stuck on the loading screen Pack #1491. I’ve reached out to apple support to see if they can do anything and they couldn’t do anything about it and just reach out to the developer of the game. I’ve emailed them on that day and as of today I haven’t gotten a response. so if the ROTROS Devs and a
  21. [R42] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · GB Fun, but so many ads: I bought this years ago, but it has so many ads. Happy to pay to get rid of them, but how? The game itself is well-made and fun on the iPad.
  22. [R48] F18 Carrier Landing Lite 3/5 · GB It is ok: Please add a virtual joystick
  23. [R67] RFS 2/5 · US In air: When flying it gets kind of boring but taking off and landing is fun and there’s not much free planes there’s only three so I give this game a two
  24. [R81] RFS 3/5 · US Requires RFS Pro too much: You have absolutely NO other planes unless you pay at least 6 Bucks.
  25. [R88] RFS 2/5 · US Needs more free planes: I only have the free version THERE ARE ONLY THREE PLANES TO CHOOSE FROM IN THE FREE VERSION. NOT EVEN FREE BECAUSE THE ONE DOLLAR I SPENT ON IT. INFINITE FLIGHT IS BETTER….. and we need a joystick mode…
  26. [R97] RFS 1/5 · US This game sucks: You have to pay for literally everything, you only start with 3 planes and unless you buy more you’re only getting 3 planes. The chat is annoying bc people spam n word in it and the autopilot approach for landing always makes me land in some field, a mile from any airport. This game sucks
  27. [R69] RFS 3/5 · US Subscription issues: Everytime I pay for a subscription it says something like “purchase failed please review payment details” even though it goes through on the card. So I have a subscription and I still only have the free planes
  28. [R70] RFS 1/5 · US I now need to get RFS pro: When I come back it, my thing is gone
  29. [R73] RFS 1/5 · US RFS pro issue: Hi to inform you, if your device isn’t connected to google with the pro subscription, it won’t be available to you
  30. [R76] RFS 1/5 · US Game is okay.: The actual game is okay, but I’m rating this 1 star because I bought a subscription for 6 dollars and it was a total waste of money! It makes no sense, because I have a device (that I no longer have) had this subscription, I can’t even use the subscription.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store