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Drive for Speed: Simulator vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Drive for Speed: Simulator's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Drive for Speed: Simulator
This App
Street Racing 3D
Nemesis
Car Driving Online: Open World
Contender
Asphalt 8 - Car Racing Game
Contender
Street Racing HD
Contender
Dyno 2 Race - Car Tuning
Peer
Drift Max City
Peer
Highway Drift - Car Racing
New Kid
Core Identity
DeveloperGameville Studio Inc.IvyMaleoGameloft SEIvyHyperMonk GamesTIRAMISU STUDIOS YAZILIM HIZMETLERI ANONIM SIRKETIHyperMonk Games
CategoryRacingRacingRacingRacingRacingRacingGamesRacing
PlatformAndroidiOS, AndroidAndroidAndroidAndroidAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOS
Store Metrics
Rating4.4 / 54.7 / 54.4 / 54.6 / 54.5 / 54.7 / 54.5 / 54.8 / 5
Ratings Count543,59110,054109,65411,918,822187,70833,1351,2434,134
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateOct 25, 2016Aug 30, 2017Sep 30, 2022Aug 20, 2013Oct 31, 2019May 15, 2023Nov 5, 2015Apr 14, 2025
Last UpdatedMay 5, 2026May 24, 2018Sep 24, 2025Apr 8, 2026Nov 28, 2025Mar 28, 2026Nov 19, 2024Apr 2, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentmixedexcellent-positive----
Score65/10085/100-75/100----
Praises
  • The core driving loop provides a nostalgic and addictive experience for long-term players
  • Low Storage & Data Usage
  • Offline Accessibility
-
  • High-fidelity graphics and realistic car models provide an immersive racing experience for enthusiasts
----
Complaints
  • Frequent game freezes and performance instability disrupt the driving experience following the latest update
  • Control Sensitivity
-
  • Intrusive advertisement frequency disrupts the flow of gameplay and degrades the user experience
----
Requests
  • Implementation of tilt steering controls to modernize the driving experience for current mobile users
--
  • Offline play mode requested to allow racing without constant internet connectivity requirements
----
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Nostalgic arcade-driving loop sustains long-term retention
  • Offline-first architecture captures travel-based engagement
  • Exceptional hardware optimization (low MB footprint)
  • Strong offline play capability
  • Massive Android user base (1.8M+ reviews)
-
  • 300+ licensed vehicle collection sustains long-term collector interest
  • Gravity-defying stunt mechanics differentiate the core arcade loop from simulation rivals
  • Editors' Choice-level visual fidelity maintains high organic install velocity
-
  • Tuning-first garage simulation provides a distinct niche identity
  • Progression-based loop incentivizes repeat play
  • Freemium model maximizes ad-inventory per user
-
  • Physics-based drifting mechanics drive session length
  • Focused drift-to-deliver loop provides clear UX
Weaknesses
  • Performance instability post-update disrupts core gameplay
  • Aggressive monetization gates high-tier vehicles
  • iOS version is effectively abandoned (last updated 2018)
  • Control sensitivity issues in curves
  • Lack of licensed real-world vehicles
-
  • Intrusive ad frequency cited in high-frequency complaints
  • Large storage footprint limits accessibility on entry-level devices
  • Difficulty spikes in events frustrate the casual segment
-
  • Premium tier lacks depth for power users
  • No cloud-save functionality
  • 0.15 rating gap between iOS and Android platforms
-
  • Absence of live-ops content cycles
  • No social or multiplayer features
Pricingfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreefreemiumfreemiumfreemium
MomentumMaintenanceMaintenance-Maintenance-IntenseSteady-
Update Cadence2 versions, ~186d avg2 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~2744d avg-2 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~27d avg-5 versions5 versions-

Compare Drive for Speed: Simulator head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Drive for Speed: Simulator, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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