# Space Station Simulator vs Stellaris

The clearest difference is ads: Space Station Simulator at none against Stellaris's shown. Space Station Simulator also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months) and rating (4.3 vs 4.0). Stellaris's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 108). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Space Station Simulator sells 15 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.

Space Station Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stellaris has 1.6K ratings behind it against 108, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Space Station Simulator's written reviews are positive against 31% of Stellaris's.

Space Station Simulator ships an update every 8 days, Stellaris every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Station Simulator | Stellaris |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (108 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-station-simulator/id1333062826/reviews)** | [4.0 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellaris-galaxy-command/id1455954927/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 108 | **1.6K** |
| Positive reviews | **36.4% of reviews** | 31.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 97 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Appscraft](https://appshunter.io/developer/1652334821) | [GameBear Tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295555671) |

## What reviewers say

### Space Station Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-station-simulator/id1333062826)

Command your own orbital station, managing resources, constructing new modules, and developing your fleet. Engage in peaceful resource extraction or aggressive interplanetary warfare against other players.

**Highlights:** Develop your space station, Build a fleet of ships, Participate in star wars, Extract and recycle resources, Plunder interplanetary caravans

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skip Mission | $0.99 | one-time |
| Photon Cannons | $0.99 | one-time |
| Module overboost with discount | $0.99 | one-time |
| Rapid resource collection | $0.99 | one-time |
| Add 5000 credits | $1.99 | one-time |
| Greenhouse | $1.99 | one-time |
| Photon Cannons | $1.99 | one-time |
| Space warping | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hyper Jump | $1.99 | one-time |
| Rapid resource collection | $1.99 | one-time |
| Add 10000 credits | $2.99 | one-time |
| All Gadgets Special Offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Add 40.000 credits | $7.99 | one-time |
| Add 57.000 credits | $10.99 | one-time |
| Add 160.000 credits | $14.99 | one-time |


### Stellaris

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellaris-galaxy-command/id1455954927)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GCC (Mini) | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| GCC (Small) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| GCC (Medium) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Large Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| GCC (Large) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Huge Pack | $29.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass (Elite) | $29.99 | one-time |
| Mega Pack | $49.99 | one-time |
| Ultra Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Station Simulator free?

Space Station Simulator 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, Space Station Simulator or Stellaris?

Space Station Simulator is rated higher. Space Station Simulator averages 4.3 out of 5 from 108 ratings, while Stellaris averages 4.0 from 1.6K ratings.

### Do Space Station Simulator or Stellaris have ads?

Stellaris shows ads; Space Station Simulator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Space Station Simulator or Stellaris?

Space Station Simulator ships an update every 8 days, and Stellaris every 2 months. Most recently, Space Station Simulator was updated on October 16, 2026 and Stellaris on October 20, 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.*