Comparison

Alien Tribe 3 vs Protocol 4

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

Head to head
About

Alien Tribe 3

Lead a stranded tribe to rebuild their civilization in a new galaxy. Explore unknown systems, build a vital energy network, and research new technologies to defend against hostile alien forces. Command your fleet in real-time to survive and secure your future.

Highlights
  • Real-time 4X strategy
  • Galactic energy network
  • Card-based technology system
  • Planet colonization
  • Fleet control
  • Resource management
Read full description

The sequel to the real-time strategy classic Alien Tribe 2, which reached the Top 10 in more than 25 countries. Explore a distant galaxy. Colonize new worlds. Research ancient technologies. Connect entire star systems into a unique energy network. It all started with one unforgettable night: After escaping Maloc territory, the Fifo threw the biggest party in their history aboard their ark ship – and, for obvious reasons, didn't invite the autopilot. Big mistake. The autopilot, a hopelessly outdated shipboard AI that had served the Fifo faithfully for centuries, finally had enough. Before sunrise, it beamed the entire tribe onto an unknown planet in a distant galaxy. The Fifo woke up with no ship, no way home – and one legendary hangover. And things only got worse: The ruthless Maloc have picked up their trail again – presumably tipped off by the autopilot out of revenge. And the new galaxy is home to the Kytar: cute to look at, but anything but harmless. The autopilot has given the Fifo a nearly impossible task: Colonize every star system and connect them all into one energy network – then it will return. Provided they promise to invite it to the next party. Now it's up to you. EXPLORE A DISTANT GALAXY Send research ships into unknown star systems. Discover anomalies, investigate ancient wrecks, and uncover resource-rich asteroids. Every game takes place across newly generated star systems – no two are alike. BUILD YOUR ENERGY NETWORK Your energy network is at the heart of Alien Tribe 3. Connect solar power plants, planets, and defensive installations into a galactic power grid – the backbone of your entire infrastructure. If a connection breaks, everything downstream loses power. Plan carefully and defend every link. EXPAND YOUR EMPIRE Colonize planets, build mining stations, research centers, repair stations, and defensive installations. Secure resources and create an economy that can keep running even under constant pressure. RESEARCH AND ADAPT Expand your capabilities with a dynamic, card-based research system featuring around 25 technologies. Every decision comes at a cost: Will you focus on military strength, science, or your economy? Every game plays out differently. COMMAND YOUR FLEET Command harvesters, construction ships, research vessels, colony ships, and combat ships in real time. Each ship class has its own role. FACE THE MALOC Maloc attack waves strike from different directions and grow stronger over time. Build defense platforms, secure chokepoints, and decide when expansion matters more than defense. PREMIUM, OFFLINE, FAIR Buy once. Play forever. No ads. No in-app purchases. No pay-to-win. Fully playable offline – on a plane, on a train, or from your couch. FEATURES • Real-time strategy with 4X elements: exploration, expansion, research, and combat • A galactic energy network at the heart of every strategic decision • Card-based research system with around 25 technologies • Procedurally generated star systems – every game is different • More than 15 buildable stations and ships for economy, research, and defense • Specialized ship classes with distinct roles • Premium game: fully offline, no ads, no in-app purchases • Optimized for iPhone and iPad The galaxy is waiting. Build your energy network. Save the Fifo tribe.

About

Protocol 4

Features
Read full description

Crack the code before your rival does. Protocol 4 is a hacker game of pure deduction. Every guess gives you signal readings; you break the passcode with logic, not luck. Play solo, take on the Daily Operation, or duel another operator in real time. REAL-TIME PvP DUELS Race: one passcode, two operators. First one through wins. Standoff: each of you sets the code the other must break. Two codes, one clock, and you watch them close in on yours. Outsmart your rival and claim the reward. DAILY OPERATION A new code every day, the same for everyone. Crack it, climb the daily leaderboard and earn double XP. BUILD YOUR EMPIRE Assemble mining rigs, expand your vault, and run overclocks. Your network keeps earning credits while you are away. SYNDICATES AND TERRITORY Join one of three syndicates, claim territory on the map, and take your share of the pot that every raid feeds. RAIDS Break into a rival operator's grid and take what they left unguarded, then set your own defenses before they come for you. GLOBAL LEADERBOARD Earn XP and climb fifteen ranks to become the ultimate Server King. MORE WAYS TO PLAY Quick Hacks for fast action, Training to sharpen your deduction, and 18 career contracts plus fresh daily missions. ARSENAL OF TOOLS Oracle Scan, Double XP and more hacking tools to gain the upper hand when a code will not give. Play in English, Turkish, Spanish, French, German or Portuguese, on iPhone and iPad. Are you ready to initiate Protocol 4?

Screenshots

Alien Tribe 34 screens
Protocol 44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Protocol 4 at Free against Alien Tribe 3's $0.49. Alien Tribe 3's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ads (none vs shown). On device support and iOS requirement 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

Protocol 4 is free to download; Alien Tribe 3 costs $0.49 up front. Protocol 4 sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Alien Tribe 3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alien Tribe 3 ships an update fortnightly, Protocol 4 every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Alien Tribe 3 versus Protocol 4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlien Tribe 3Protocol 4
Price$0.49Free — better
Rating4.6 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews86.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB12 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperUkando SoftwareHAKAN OZGER

In-app purchases

None

Alien Tribe 3

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Protocol 4

One-time7
  • Pocket Change$0.99
  • Starter Kit$1.99
  • Agent License$2.99
Show 4 more
  • Hacker's Stash$4.99
  • Pro Kit$4.99
  • Trust Fund$9.99
  • Master Kit$9.99

Questions

Is Alien Tribe 3 free?
Alien Tribe 3 costs $0.49, with no in-app purchases.
Is Protocol 4 free?
Protocol 4 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Alien Tribe 3 or Protocol 4 have ads?
Protocol 4 shows ads; Alien Tribe 3 does not.
Which is updated more often, Alien Tribe 3 or Protocol 4?
Alien Tribe 3 ships an update fortnightly, and Protocol 4 every 3 months. Most recently, Alien Tribe 3 was updated on October 18, 2026 and Protocol 4 on October 8, 2026.

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