Comparison

Operation vs Stellaris

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Operation

Defend Earth from a massive alien invasion in this sci-fi multiplayer strategy game. Build your base, raise an army, and command powerful heroes to retake the planet. Form alliances and engage in real-time faction wars against both aliens and hostile humans.

Highlights
  • Build and upgrade military facility
  • Train specialized army units
  • Command and capture enemy heroes
  • Chat, trade, and invite players
  • Join alliances for strategic warfare
  • Engage in real-time faction wars
Features
Read full description

Earth. Your home, your memories, your family... All is fading under the colossal shadow of an attacking alien force. Jump into this intense sci-fi multiplayer strategy game. Command an advanced military facility to defend Earth from hostile alien invasion! Uncover advanced technology to infuse and reinforce your stronghold – you are Earth’s last protection against the invaders who are laying waste to the planet! Commander, it’s time to mobilize! Retake and defend the planet. Let no enemy, aliens or hostile humans, stand in your way! • CREATE YOUR BASE – Strategically build your facility by discovering new technologies to become a juggernaut of power. • RAISE AN ARMY - Train a massive army of specialized units including hi-tech infantry and cutting-edge war machines. • COMMAND YOUR HERO - Train an elite Hero unit for incredible advantages and bonuses, while attempting to defeat and capture enemy players’ Heroes in battle. • CHAT, TRADE, INVITE – Chat with other players, trade your resources and invite the strongest amongst your friends to defend Earth together. • JOIN AN ALLIANCE - Assemble an Alliance and strategize together to build a powerful network. • REAL TIME FACTION WARS – Join players around the world in massive battles. The Earth you once knew is growing dim, Commander. Hope is nearly lost. It’s time for Operation: New Earth. PLEASE NOTE that Operation: New Earth is completely free to play, however, optional in game items are available for purchase with real money. If you don’t want to use this feature, you can turn off the option by disabling in-app purchases in your device’s settings. A network connection is also required.

About

Stellaris

Lead the rebuilding of galactic civilization after an inter-dimensional invasion. Build your space station, explore star systems, form alliances, and wage war in a real-time universe with thousands of players. Experience an epic sci-fi story with strategic gameplay.

Highlights
  • Space station construction and customization
  • Form and join alliances
  • Intergalactic trade systems
  • Fleet design and warfare
  • Explore a real-time universe
  • Engage in event chains and uncover mysteries
Features
Read full description

Stellaris, the bestselling Sci-Fi strategy game, is finally on your mobile! The universe has barely survived an inter-dimensional invasion that devastated vast swaths of the galaxy. The United Nations of Earth requires your assistance and contribution to rebuild galactic civilization. Take control of your own space station and set a course to distant stars! On your way, you will discover new mysteries in the depths of the universe! Get ready to explore and discover a spectacular and real-time universe, where thousands of players play in a single galaxy with nearly a thousand star systems to explore! Construct your space station, form and join alliances to occupy regions of space together, trade with other players, build-up your own powerful fleet, and wage war against other players in the galaxy! A new Stellaris experience, exclusive for mobile: - Stellaris: Galaxy Command extends the Stellaris universe to mobile, putting space strategy and an epic Stellaris story in the palm of your hands. - Galaxy Command is inspired by many of the features and mechanics of the PC game, with new trading systems, ethics, political systems, and more. - With gorgeous visuals and aesthetics inspired by the PC game, fans of Stellaris will find familiar characters, graphics, and gameplay. Forge Your Alliance: - Work together with your teammates to build an empire. - Occupy territories, build defensive structures, set tax rates for passing trades, sign trade deals, and even work collectively to colonize planets. - Declare “cold” or conventional war and claim victory through economic strength or brute military force. - Convene with allies to form an attack strategy, then wage war on other players across the universe. Dominate Intergalactic Trade: - As you progress, and needs of your population grow, their demand will begin to outpace their own ability to produce everything. You will have to specialize your production through research, which means that you will need to trade with one another to meet basic needs. - Different sectors of space also contain unique and valuable resources—trade networks will naturally emerge, leading to alliances vying over lucrative territories. - As a player, you can choose to be a pure trader and buy valuable products from afar and sell nearby for profit. You can also specialize in selling specific resources to earn a greater profit. Alternatively, you could simply use auto-trade to satisfy your basic consumption needs automatically. Construct a Unique Station: - Create and freely customize the structure of your station, construct unique buildings, and upgrade them. Make Critical Decisions: - Experience mysteries and uncover captivating stories through a familiar event chain system. - Explore event chain systems capable of telling epic and meaningful stories that will influence your ultimate path. - Many events reference or are a direct continuation of the event chains from the Stellaris PC game. Design Your Own Fleet: - Create and modify your fleet design with in-game ship design mode! Upgrade your fleet for maximum power! - Join real-time battles and reinforce the fleets of your fellow alliance members. - Recruit elite admirals to join your empire and lead your fleets to victory! Features: - Open world, strategy MMO based on a bestselling Sci-Fi strategy game - Iconic Stellaris ships and mechanics - Become a leader or member of an Alliance - Control Trade Networks - Customize your spaceships to upgrade power - Battle with other players all over the galaxy - Breathtaking sci-fi music - Generous rewards for missions and quests - Excellent 3D graphics and beautiful galaxies to explore - This game is designed for mobile and is free to download. Download Stellaris: Galaxy Command now and take part in the space opera now! ___________ Privacy Policy: http://www.gamebeartech.com/privacy-policy-20170516.html?searchText

Screenshots

Operation4 screens
Stellaris4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Operation at 53% against Stellaris's 31%. Operation also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and rating (4.2 vs 4.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Operation sells 22 one-off in-app purchases and Stellaris sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Operation holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 616 and 1.6K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Operation's written reviews are positive against 31% of Stellaris's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Operation ships an update every 2 weeks, Stellaris every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Operation versus Stellaris: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOperationStellaris
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (616 ratings) — better4.0 (1.6K ratings)
Positive reviews52.7% of reviews — better31.1% of reviews
Number of ratings6161.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size262 MB1.4 GB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperTilting Point LLCGameBear Tech

Customer experience

Operation

All ratings616 ratings
Positive80.5%
Neutral7.1%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews184 reviews
Positive52.7%
Neutral15.2%
Negative32.1%

Stellaris

All ratings1,598 ratings
Positive77.0%
Neutral5.4%
Negative17.5%
Written reviews341 reviews
Positive31.1%
Neutral10.9%
Negative58.1%

User reviews

Operation

From 616 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Addictive gameplay
  • 👍 Enjoyable strategy elements
  • 🤝 Good alliance system
  • 💡 Potential for improvement

Room to improve

  • 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 🕰️ Slow progression and long upgrade times
  • 🤺 Bullying and imbalance between players

Stellaris

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 😂 Chaotic but fun
  • 🤑 Rewarding for free-to-play players
  • 🤝 Good alliance and community features

Room to improve

  • 🤑 Heavily pay-to-win
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔄 Repetitive and grindy
  • 🧭 Lack of in-game guidance and instructions
  • 🏃‍♂️ Server merges and shutdowns

Bugs and requests

Operation

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and connection issues
  • Inability to update or download new versions
  • Glitches with UI and in-game mechanics

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved shielding and protection options
  • Expanded map and zoom functionality
  • Better resource production and gathering
  • More balanced matchmaking and region merges

Stellaris

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when trying to access solar systems
  • Account data loss and resets
  • Connectivity and server issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • More in-depth gameplay and strategy
  • Improved UI and navigation
  • Ability to customize ships and fleets
  • Meaningful single-player content

In-app purchases

22 purchases

Operation

One-time22
  • Bronze Supply Drop$0.99
  • Iron Supply Drop$1.99
  • Ultimate Starter Bundle$2.99
Show 19 more
  • Gold Supply Drop$2.99
  • Bronze Shard Bundle$9.99
  • Epic Bronze Booster Pack$9.99
  • Growth Bundle$24.99
  • Silver Shard Bundle$29.99
  • Gold Shard Bundle$49.99
  • Platinum Shard Bundle$99.99
  • Platinum Hero Equipment Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Invader Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Launcher Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Interceptor Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Cyber Bundle$99.99
  • Platinum Behemoth Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Mobile Cannon Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Battle Disc Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Covert Agent Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Attack Rover Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Falcon Pack$99.99
  • Platinum Heavy Mech Bundle$99.99
12 purchases

Stellaris

One-time12
  • GCC (Mini)$0.99
  • Small Pack$4.99
  • GCC (Small)$4.99
Show 9 more
  • Medium Pack$9.99
  • GCC (Medium)$9.99
  • Medium Pack$14.99
  • Large Pack$19.99
  • GCC (Large)$19.99
  • Huge Pack$29.99
  • Battle Pass (Elite)$29.99
  • Mega Pack$49.99
  • Ultra Pack$99.99

Questions

Is Operation free?
Operation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stellaris free?
Stellaris is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Operation or Stellaris?
Operation is rated higher. Operation averages 4.2 out of 5 from 616 ratings, while Stellaris averages 4.0 from 1.6K ratings.
Do Operation or Stellaris have ads?
Both Operation and Stellaris show ads.
Which is updated more often, Operation or Stellaris?
Operation ships an update every 2 weeks, and Stellaris every 2 months. Most recently, Operation was updated on September 22, 2026 and Stellaris on September 22, 2026.

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