# Sid Meier's Colonization vs Subnautica

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Subnautica at 85% against Sid Meier's Colonization's 21%. Subnautica also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Sid Meier's Colonization's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Sid Meier's Colonization costs $2.99 and Subnautica $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Subnautica holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 213 and 130 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Sid Meier's Colonization's written reviews are positive against 85% of Subnautica's.

Sid Meier's Colonization ships an update every 4 months, Subnautica every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sid Meier's Colonization | Subnautica |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$2.99** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [2.3 (213 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sid-meiers-colonization/id1022704417/reviews) | **[4.5 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subnautica-below-zero/id6749406060/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **213** | 130 |
| Positive reviews | 20.6% of reviews | **85.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#91** |
| Size | 17 MB | 2.2 GB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Atari](https://appshunter.io/developer/291286181) | [Unknown Worlds](https://appshunter.io/developer/1733568374) |

## What reviewers say

### Sid Meier's Colonization

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sid-meiers-colonization/id1022704417)

Lead a colonial power to explore, settle, and develop new lands in the Colonial Era. Manage resources, establish trade, and engage in diplomacy and warfare to achieve independence. Offers deep strategic gameplay with customizable options.

**Highlights:** Explore and colonize new lands, Manage growth, development, and trade, Engage in diplomacy and military strategy, Play as four distinct colonial powers, Customize game difficulty and maps, Advanced artificial intelligence opponents

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Exactly like the original game
- 🚀 Classic gameplay
- 💡 Nostalgia factor
- 🚀 Engaging and addictive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unresponsive and clunky controls
- 🐛 Keyboard overlay covers too much of the screen
- 🐛 Difficulty loading/unloading cargo
- 🐛 Unable to move diagonally
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes on launch
- Cursor/touch input issues
- Performance problems and slowdowns

**Requested features**

- Add support for Bluetooth keyboard and mouse
- Optimize touch controls for mobile
- Implement drag-and-drop functionality
- Provide a tutorial or instructions on how to use the controls


### Subnautica

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subnautica-below-zero/id6749406060)

**Currently charting:** #91 Top Paid · Adventure, #104 Top Paid · Action (US App Store)

Embark on an underwater survival adventure in an arctic alien ocean. Investigate mysteries, craft equipment, and explore new biomes and creatures. Survive the cold and uncover the truth behind an ancient alien civilization.

**Highlights:** Explore alien ocean biomes, Craft habitats and equipment, Survive freezing temperatures, Investigate alien mysteries, Discover new creatures, Pilot vehicles like Seatruck and Snowfox

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sid Meier's Colonization free?

Sid Meier's Colonization costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Subnautica free?

Subnautica costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sid Meier's Colonization or Subnautica?

Subnautica is rated higher. Sid Meier's Colonization averages 2.3 out of 5 from 213 ratings, while Subnautica averages 4.5 from 130 ratings.

### Do Sid Meier's Colonization or Subnautica have ads?

Neither Sid Meier's Colonization nor Subnautica shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sid Meier's Colonization or Subnautica?

Sid Meier's Colonization ships an update every 4 months, and Subnautica every 2 weeks. Most recently, Sid Meier's Colonization was updated on November 13, 2026 and Subnautica on November 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*