# Space Trader

> Intergalactic trading and combat simulation with ship and planet upgrades. (iPhone/iPad app by Brian Kechel.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-trader/id306867557 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Brian Kechel](https://appshunter.io/developer/295599306)
- Category: Games
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 2.51/5 from 104 App Store ratings · 20 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 2.2.1 · 12 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2009-03-05
- Data updated: 2026-07-20
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-trader/id306867557/reviews.md

## What is Space Trader?

Space Trader Version 1.2
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

* New update in the workings! (details below)

  Trade between 45 planets in this intergalactic galaxy.  Watch out for cops and pirates!  There is virtually unlimited upgrades!!!  You will need attack and defend points, to have successful battles with enemy ships.  Your shields will also need to be maintained, to keep from hull damage.  When trading, you start with 50 cargo bays, more cargo bays will have to be purchased to trade with greater profit.  When traveling, you will also want to buy more fuel containers to travel further and not have to purchase gas as often.  13 ships are available to buy when funds become adequate.  Each ship comes with a faster engine plus larger max cargo and fuel add-ons.  

Never get tired of playing, endless re-playability!!!


Global High Score Chart Holds 1000 Top Score List.
World wide competition.
 

When game exits, game automatically saves for future resuming.
- just press the [home button] to exit
or from the game menu press save game, both options will save your game.

Features: 
-----------------
 • (45) Planet to Planet exploration with trading
 • (13) Ships to upgrade
 • Buy entire planets making even more profit (conquer the      solar system)
 • Shield, Fuel, Cargo, Ship, Attack and Defend, Eco Upgrades
 • Most Earned Funds Main Page
 • Global High Score Chart (compete with the world) !!!
 • Cool Sounds and Graphics
 • Never play in the same universe
 • Save Game Progress Anytime
   (auto save when game is interrupted)
 • In game sound control


Update Details
-----------
* There will be 3 factions
* You choose a faction to play as
* You will be able to name your caption
* Each ship will have gun/shield/radar updates
* Complete redo of all graphics
* Story line will be added
* The title will also change to go with the story line
* There will be side quests to obtain special items
* Much much more being brain stormed!


If you like this game please leave good reviews!!

ThankYou

## Key features

- Planet-to-planet exploration and trading
- 13 upgradeable ships
- Planet acquisition for profit
- Ship and cargo upgrades
- Global high score chart
- Automatic game saving

## Recent user reviews (10 of 20)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-trader/id306867557/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Crap. Nothing like the palm original.

*2013-08-15*

If somebody wants to make a small fortune, they should bring the actual, original palm pilot space trader game to the iPhone. The one we wasted glorious days playing back in 2002. I, for one, am in for five bucks. 

This is not that game. It's not even close.

### 2/5 — Palm Version Way Better

*2013-03-12*

The old palm version of this game had quests, more risky items (narcotics and firearms), told you what you paid for items at time of sale, you could attack police, jettison from the ship, retire on planets, and on and on.  I've bought every planet, have all the upgrades, and best ship within 3 hours of buying the game.  Not fun anymore.  Please update to match original palm version!

### 1/5 — Nice start

*2011-07-06*

I remember playing this space trader on my palm pilot years ago and I would have to say that this version isn't quite as good as the one I played. I was disappointed to see that you can attack the police in this version as you could on the palm version...I also remember that you could dump/jettison your cargo, also there used to be "quests" like taking someone from one planet to another or delivering packages to certain planets within a certain period of time/lightyears. I think when you sell an item after arriving to the planet it should show the amount your selling it for in red if you are selling it for less than you bought it for. This version seems harder to get started than the palm version i keep running out of money and fuel...lol but over all it's a great start to what was an awesome game. The developer needs to update it and make it just like how the palm version was then you would have a true winner of a game!!!!
-------------------------------------------------- UPDATE: I tried to email the developer by tapping on his email address provided to you in the game but my email was returned back to me saying that it didn't exist. unless the developer is reading these comments I highly doubt we will see ANY updates which is why I am lowering my stars...I say that if your going to make a game or anything available on iTunes then you need to at minimum read the comments and follow through with the updates as you say in your description of the game...

### 2/5 — Not Space Trader ... Yet

*2011-07-04*

This game has promise but I was disappointed by it. I think most of the problems are caused by bugs. The price differentials seem to be off, everything seems to be the same price everywhere and with a trading game that isn't any fun. 
The risky item (ONE illegal item???) "firearms" doesn't seem to be worth the risk.
It seems the developer spent more time thinking of types of government for all the planets.

### 4/5 — Fun game!

*2011-06-11*

I was looking for the old Palm version and glad to find this! Here's a tip: make a list of all the products for sale and the low to high prices for each. Play with pen and paper, and write down the per item cost of the things you buy. Then ignore the percentages- even in the far flung future, the game is still "buy low, sell high!"

### 1/5 — Seems to be fun but I

*2011-05-30*

I would like to play this one further but I can't seem to figure out how to refuel my ship and run out after three or so planet jumps.  I have no idea how to actually buy more fuel and the tool tip only says to touch on the space ship, which brings up the planet commerce and upgrades.  I see the buy button on other planets when I check them out but I those are never active so I end up stuck.  I'm not sure if I'm just missing it or if it's bugged.

### 2/5 — Good Game

*2011-02-21*

It's a good game, although it appears that the glitchd on me, I can't buy anything anymore, the slider doesn't move. The only way to fix it is to start a new game and give up everything you built up :-(

Also, UPDATE!!! Ive been waiting for the update for a long time!

### 1/5 — Lousy port of a great game

*2010-09-19*

There was no reason to add animation to this game. There was no reason to add a planet-buying dynamic. The original 'Space Traders' was a great, free game. It didn't need animations or randomized economic conditions to be highly enjoyable. This developer had a great idea to port this to the iPod/iPhone, but flat out blew it with extraneous crap that was completely unnecessary. The gameplay experience has really suffered as a result. Oh... And let's not forget that the excellent freeware Space Traders is now a for-profit game. Not as good... but now costs money. A bad choice.

### 5/5 — Great game, developer has great reponse to feedback given to make it even better with updates

*2010-07-27*

This is a great game, alot like the old palm game but with a little more ability and depth. It has some differences but it also has cool new features too. I am really looking forward to the new version of the game with the factions and storyline. I would recommend getting it now at this price just in case the owner decides to increase the price with the new version of the game. Anyone who enjoys games like monopoly will enjoy this game, anyone who enjoys space combat battles will enjoy this game. Totally recommend it, especially with the future version coming out soon. The game developer is really listening to reviews and comments so I am sure that the new updates will be what everyone is looking for an whatever is lacking in previous versions will be fixed with the new one.

### 1/5 — Too Hard

*2010-06-19*

There is no apparent correlation to the predicted prices and the prices at arrival. Some adjustment while your ship is in transit is fine, but going from +7% to a loss is not acceptable. This game has so much promise but without some correlation and predictability in what to buy and where to sell it it is just a glorified guessing game. I look forward to the next version where there is some sort of limitation on how much prices can sway during the time that my ship is in transit. When that happens I will happily write a new review with a higher star rating.

## Frequently asked questions about Space Trader

### What is Space Trader?

Space Trader is an intergalactic trading and combat simulation game. Players trade goods between 45 planets, battle enemy ships, and upgrade their vessels and cargo capacity. The game features a global high score chart and allows players to purchase planets for increased profit.

### What are the key features of Space Trader?

Key features include planet-to-planet exploration and trading, 13 different ships to upgrade, the ability to buy entire planets, extensive upgrades for shields, fuel, cargo, and combat systems, a global high score chart, and automatic game saving.

### How much does Space Trader cost?

Based on the provided information, Space Trader is a paid application. There is no mention of free-to-play elements, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.

### What platforms is Space Trader available on?

The description mentions exiting the game by pressing the [home button], which is characteristic of mobile operating systems like Android or iOS. Specific platform availability is not explicitly stated but is implied to be mobile.

### What is the main goal in Space Trader?

The main goal is to become a successful space trader by accumulating wealth through trading, upgrading your ship and cargo capacity, and potentially conquering the solar system by buying planets. Competing for the top spot on the global high score chart is also a significant objective.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.2 — 2009-04-16

* 45 planet solar system
* Thumb View, zoomed out view of whole solar system
* Cops
* 13 ships to buy
* Item qty differ at each planet
* Planets can be bought
* Rate-of-change viewable before traveling
* Auto fuel fill-up option
* In App Sound Control
* 2 billion limit is fixed (thanks to crazyki11er, let me know)

Lots Lots More !!!

Note: Upgrade removes any saved game, too many add-ons
to use old file

## More apps by Brian Kechel

- [IQ Genius](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iq-genius/id295599303)
- [PCB Current](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcb-current/id299834317)
- [Talking Text](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talking-text/id302321059)
- [Grain Equilibrium](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grain-equilibrium/id339472658)
- [StereoGramBuild](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stereogrambuild/id342122846)

All apps by Brian Kechel: https://appshunter.io/developer/295599306

## Related topics

[kechbs software](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kechbs-software)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-20.*