Sims 3 vs Sims 4 | Which is better?

The Sims is one of the most popular open-world games, played by millions of people for over a decade and a half. So far, four editions have been released, with hundreds of add-on features and mods. It’s not easy to decide which one is better or whether you should download the latest release or stick with the old one. Here’s a comparison of Sims 3 vs Sims 4 in terms of gameplay, graphics, and features, based on my own experience.

Quick Comparison: Sims 3 vs Sims 4

Feature	Sims 3	Sims 4
Open World	Yes	No (Neighborhood system)
Graphics Style	More realistic	Stylized/cartoonish
Build Mode	More basic	More user-friendly, detailed
CAS (Create-a-Sim)	Sliders, detailed	Click-and-drag, smoother
Performance	Can be laggy	Runs smoother, more optimized
Expansion Packs	Deep, story-rich	More polished but lighter content
Modding	Very active	Also strong, easier to manage

Graphics and Visual Style

Sims 3 is more realistic, but it’s starting to show its age. The lighting is a bit flat, and the animations can feel stiff. That said, with some UI mods, you can breathe new life into it.

On the other hand, Sims 4 is brighter, cleaner, and way more stylized. At first look, I didn’t love the cartoony vibe, but over time it grew on me. The Sims feel more alive with their facial expressions, the way they interact, even how they walk, as it’s more expressive.

Gameplay and Features

Here’s the thing: Sims 3 has an open world, which means no loading screens when your Sim travels around town. That freedom makes the game feel alive, neighbors go about their lives, cars pass by, and events happen on their own. It’s immersive.

Sims 4, on the other hand, breaks the world into smaller zones. You’ll see loading screens when moving between lots, which can break immersion a bit. But it also makes the game run smoother.

One thing I appreciate in Sims 4 is multitasking. Your Sim can eat, talk, and watch TV all at once. It sounds small, but it makes daily life feel more natural.

Build and Buy Mode

If you love building, Sims 4 is a dream. It’s hands-down more intuitive. The room-dragging, object placement, and color choices are smoother, and there are more creative tools right out of the box.

In Sims 3, the tools feel clunky. You can still build cool stuff, but it will take more effort. Sims 4 also has the edge when it comes to interior design, thanks to a huge library of furniture and décor, especially if you add packs.

Create-a-Sim (CAS)

Sims 3’s CAS gives you a lot of control, especially with sliders, but it’s not beginner-friendly. Customizing a face can feel like fine-tuning a sculpture.

Sims 4 simplifies things with click-and-drag editing. You can literally grab a nose or jawline and shape it. It feels more organic. Clothing options are cleaner, animations are smoother, and Sims just feel more like a real human.

Expansion Packs and Mods

Sims 3 expansions are massive. “Seasons,” “Generations,” and “World Adventures” add depth and storytelling you can sink your teeth into. The game also benefits from a rich modding community, where you can change everything from personality systems to entire career paths.

Sims 4’s expansions feel more polished but sometimes lighter. For example, “Cats & Dogs” in Sims 4 looks better than Sims 3 Pets, but it has fewer interactions. That said, the modding scene is strong here too, and managing mods is way easier than in Sims 3.

Performance and System Requirements

Let’s be honest: Sims 3 struggles on modern systems, even high-end PCs. It stutters, saves take forever, and the more packs you add, the worse it gets. Mods help, but it’s never smooth. Here are the Sims 3’s minimum system requirements.

Component	Windows Requirements	macOS Requirements
OS	Windows XP (SP2) / Vista / 7 / 8	Mac OS X 10.5.7 Leopard or higher
CPU	2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent	Intel Core Duo (2.0 GHz)
RAM	1 GB (XP), 1.5 GB (Vista/7/8)	2 GB RAM
Graphics	128 MB GPU with Pixel Shader 2.0 support (NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 or ATI Radeon 9500)	NVIDIA GeForce 7300, ATI X1600 or better
DirectX	DirectX 9.0c compatible	Not applicable
Storage	6.5 GB free space + at least 1 GB for custom content/save games	6.1 GB free space + 1 GB for custom content
DVD-ROM	Required for disc version	Required for disc version
Internet	Required for online features and updates	Required for online features and updates

Sims 4 is built for newer hardware. It loads faster, runs better, and doesn’t crash as often. If you care about performance and don’t want to tweak settings for hours, Sims 4 is the safer choice. Here are the minimum system requirements:

Component	Windows Requirements	macOS Requirements
OS	Windows 7 (64-bit) or later	macOS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or later
CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo (1.8 GHz) / AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core 4000+	Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz)
RAM	4 GB RAM	4 GB RAM
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce 6600 / ATI Radeon X1300 / Intel GMA X4500	NVIDIA 9600M GT, ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro, or better
DirectX	DirectX 9.0c compatible	Not applicable
Storage	At least 25 GB of free space	At least 25 GB free space
Internet	Required for game activation and updates

Community and Replay Value

Sims 3’s community is still alive, but around modding, it’s slowed down. The content that exists is rich, but fewer people are actively creating new stuff.

Sims 4 has a huge community on YouTube, Reddit, and Discord. Plus, EA still releases updates and content. That keeps the game feeling fresh and free of bugs and glitches.

Pros and Cons

Sims 3

Pros	Cons
Open world, more freedom	Performance issues
Deeper life simulation	Clunky UI
Excellent expansions	Aging graphics
Great for storytelling

Sims 4

Pros	Cons
Smooth performance	Limited world size
Modern, vibrant look	Less dynamic NPC life
Better build/CAS tools	Some expansion packs feel shallow
Easier modding and updates

Final Verdict: Which one is better?

This was a detailed comparison of Sims 3 vs Sims 4. If you love storytelling, deep gameplay, and don’t mind putting up with some lag, Sims 3 is still the best. But if you’re a newbie who cares about smooth gameplay, detailed customization, and an active community, Sims 4 is the better experience today. I often find myself going back to Sims 4 for casual play sessions, building challenges, and newer packs.

Honestly? If you can, try both. But if I had to pick one, for performance, features, and future support, I’d go with Sims 4 because of future updates and an active community.

FAQs About Sims 3 vs Sims 4