Quick Verdict: Euro Truck Simulator 2 is the better pick if you want the most acclaimed, best-selling driving sim ever made, with a 97 percent positive Steam rating and over 13 years of proven support. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop is the better pick if you want bus-specific transit management with genuine co-op multiplayer built in. Euro Truck Simulator 2 costs $19.99 on Steam, Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop costs $24.99, and both already have their own “how to get it free” guide linked below.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 and Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop both put you behind the wheel of a growing commercial fleet, but one has spent over a decade becoming one of Steam’s most respected simulations while the other is a newer, more divisive entry in its genre. This guide breaks down where each one wins.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 vs Bus Simulator 21 at a Glance
| Category | Euro Truck Simulator 2 | Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop |
| Release Date | October 19, 2012 | September 7, 2021 |
| Price on Steam | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| Developer / Publisher | SCS Software | stillalive studios / astragon Entertainment |
| Metacritic Score | 79 critic, 8.5 user | 73 critic, 6.0 user; OpenCritic “Fair,” only 35 percent of critics recommend |
| Steam Reviews | 97 percent positive, “Overwhelmingly Positive” (500,000+ reviews) | 73 percent positive, “Mostly Positive” (1,100+ reviews) |
| Copies Sold | Over 15 million | Not separately reported |
| Best For | Players who want the most acclaimed, best-selling driving sim ever made | Players who want bus-specific transit management with co-op multiplayer |
Core Gameplay Loop
Euro Truck Simulator 2 has you accepting freight contracts, managing fuel and rest stops, and hitting delivery deadlines while gradually building from a solo driver into a full logistics company with hired drivers and a growing fleet. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop centers on passenger transport, with a career mode that combines sandbox freedom with the campaign’s economic management system, letting you create timetables and plan routes. Edge: Euro Truck Simulator 2, for a deeper, more systemic fleet-management loop refined over 13 years.
Vehicle and Map Content
Euro Truck Simulator 2’s map has grown continuously through numerous DLC region packs covering everything from Scandinavia to Iberia, expanded over more than a decade. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop ships with 30 officially licensed buses from real manufacturers including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, and MAN, plus the series’ first double-decker and electric buses, across two large maps. Edge: Bus Simulator 21, for a more concentrated, officially licensed vehicle roster right out of the box.
Multiplayer
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is primarily a single-player experience, with the World of Trucks online community offering a social layer for sharing routes and screenshots rather than live co-op driving. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop supports genuine single-player or co-op multiplayer, letting friends drive routes together directly. Edge: Bus Simulator 21, for built-in co-op multiplayer support.
Critical and Community Reception
Euro Truck Simulator 2 holds a 79 Metacritic score and a 97 percent positive Steam rating from over 500,000 reviews, still pulling top-20 concurrent player counts more than a decade after launch. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop holds a more mixed 73 Metascore and an OpenCritic “Fair” rating with just 35 percent of critics recommending it, largely over launch pricing and day-one DLC decisions, though its Steam community has settled at a more forgiving 73 percent positive. Edge: Euro Truck Simulator 2, for a dramatically stronger and more consistent reception across both critics and players.
Longevity and Support
Euro Truck Simulator 2 has received free updates and paid map expansions continuously for over 13 years since launch. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop was enhanced by a free “Next Stop” update shortly after its 2021 launch, but carries a much shorter track record of ongoing support so far. Edge: Euro Truck Simulator 2, for a far longer, proven history of continued development.
Price and Value
Euro Truck Simulator 2 costs $19.99 and has dropped as low as roughly $4.99 during major sales. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop costs $24.99 and has discounted to around $8.74 at its lowest. Edge: Euro Truck Simulator 2, for the lower price and steeper discount history.
Which One Should You Play First?
- Want the most acclaimed, best-selling driving sim ever made: start with Euro Truck Simulator 2.
- Want bus-specific transit management with built-in co-op multiplayer: start with Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop.
- Want a game with over a decade of proven ongoing support: start with Euro Truck Simulator 2.
- Want to drive routes together with a friend in real time: start with Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop.
Overall Verdict
Euro Truck Simulator 2 remains the stronger overall pick, backed by 13-plus years of continuous support, a 97 percent positive Steam rating, and over 15 million copies sold. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop costs slightly more and launched to a genuinely mixed critical reception, but it offers a more concentrated licensed bus roster and real co-op multiplayer that ETS2 doesn’t have. If you want the most proven, acclaimed driving sim available, start with Euro Truck Simulator 2. If bus-specific transit management and playing with a friend matter more to you, Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop is worth a look.
Get Both For Less
Both games already have their own dedicated guide on this site covering legitimate ways to get them below full Steam price. Read How To Get Euro Truck Simulator 2 Free and How To Get Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop Free for the full breakdown of both routes.
FAQ
Which is better, Euro Truck Simulator 2 or Bus Simulator 21?
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is the better pick overall, with a dramatically stronger critical and player reception and over a decade of proven support. Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop is the better pick if you specifically want bus transit management with built-in co-op multiplayer.
Does Bus Simulator 21 have co-op multiplayer?
Yes. It supports single-player or co-op multiplayer, letting friends drive routes together, something Euro Truck Simulator 2 doesn’t offer directly.
Which is cheaper, ETS2 or Bus Simulator 21?
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is cheaper at $19.99 compared to Bus Simulator 21: Next Stop’s $24.99.
Why did Bus Simulator 21 get mixed critic reviews?
Its OpenCritic “Fair” rating and low 35 percent critic recommendation rate largely stemmed from criticism over its launch pricing and day-one DLC strategy, though Steam’s own player base has rated it more favorably at 73 percent positive.
How many copies has Euro Truck Simulator 2 sold?
Over 15 million copies since its October 2012 release, and it still pulls top-20 Steam concurrent player counts more than a decade later.
