Comparison

Power Grid Boardgame vs Gaia Project

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

Head to head
About

Power Grid Boardgame

Engage in a strategic simulation of the energy industry, managing power grids across diverse global maps. Challenge AI or friends in real-time or turn-based matches, with a comprehensive tutorial and helpful in-game assistance for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Global energy market simulation
  • Multiple map variants for diverse gameplay
  • AI and real-time/turn-based multiplayer
  • In-depth tutorial and context-sensitive help
  • Achievement system for challenges
  • Includes Recharged version with variants
Features
Read full description

Dive into the world of the energy industry with the Power Grid app, designed by award-winning author Friedemann Friese. Global Domination: Conquer energy markets worldwide on maps such as USA, Germany, France, Benelux, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Italy and the Middle East. Each map brings unique gameplay that will put your strategic skills to the test. Tutorial & Help: Whether you're an experienced Power Grid player or a beginner, the game features a detailed tutorial that walks you through the basics step-by-step. And if you have any questions while playing, context-sensitive help is available to make sure you're always on the right track. Achievements: Challenge yourself by unlocking a variety of achievements. These achievements range from strategic feats to special challenges. Recharged Version: The app includes the Recharged version with Against the Trust and MAGA variants that make the gameplay even more diverse and challenging. Exciting Gameplay: Challenge AI opponents or play against friends in real-time or turn-based. Online Domination: The Power Grid app allows you to compete against friends or rivals from around the world. The app gives you the opportunity to compete with players from all over the world. Choose your path: a variety of maps and map variants are available to customize and refine your strategy. Adapt to the specifics of each and outsmart your opponents to get to the top of the power industry. The Power Grid app has been carefully designed to seamlessly bring the charm of the board game to your smartphone or tablet. The intuitive interface ensures a smooth gaming experience for both experienced players and novices. Don't miss out on the electrifying fun and challenges offered by the Power Grid app! Download the app now and embark on a journey to conquer the power market one move at a time. Whether you're playing alone and looking for a challenge or you're a player looking to engage in epic duels with friends, the Power Grid app offers all that and more.

About

Gaia Project

Embark on a strategic journey to colonize the galaxy by mastering terraforming. Each of the 14 unique factions has distinct environmental needs, driving the need to adapt planets for survival. This is the official digital adaptation of the acclaimed board game.

Highlights
  • 14 unique factions
  • Peaceful galactic colonization
  • Terraforming mechanics
  • Adaptable environmental needs
  • Official digital board game adaptation
Features
Read full description

In Gaia Project, each player controls one of 14 factions striving to peacefully colonize the Terra Mystica galaxy. Each faction has different environmental needs to survive on a planet. These needs have led the factions to master terraforming, enabling them to make different planet types habitable for themselves. This is the official digital version of the board game Gaia Project by Feuerland Verlag. Minimum RAM: 3 GB Recommended RAM: 4 GB Gaia Project is a graphics-heavy board game with advanced AI opponents. Your gameplay speed and AI strength may be limited with older devices.

Screenshots

Power Grid Boardgame4 screens
Gaia Project4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Gaia Project at 4.0 against Power Grid Boardgame's 2.5. Gaia Project also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (59% vs 33%). Power Grid Boardgame's advantage is price ($8.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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

Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99 and Gaia Project $9.99 up front. Power Grid Boardgame sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Gaia Project asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gaia Project holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Power Grid Boardgame's written reviews are positive against 59% of Gaia Project's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Power Grid Boardgame versus Gaia Project: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPower Grid BoardgameGaia Project
Price$8.99 — better$9.99
Rating2.5 (26 ratings)4.0 (38 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.6% of reviews59.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2638 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB371 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperBrettspielWeltDIGIDICED

Customer experience

Power Grid Boardgame

All ratings26 ratings
Positive30.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative61.5%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive32.6%
Neutral11.6%
Negative55.8%

Gaia Project

All ratings39 ratings
Positive71.8%
Neutral10.3%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive59.1%
Neutral15.9%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Power Grid Boardgame

Reported bugs

47 issues
  • Achievements disappear
  • Cannot build houses
  • Game cards difficult to recall when minimized
  • Movable mini-window UI is buggy
  • Requires force restart
Show 42 more
  • Automatic next action clipboard issues
  • BeNeLux 5th ecoplant "extended market" doesn't work
  • Blocks PiP and Music player
  • Game crashes when starting
  • Cannot return to saved games
  • UI broken, unplayable
  • Unresponsive menus and interface
  • Does not progress or explain rules
  • AI is buggy (invisible buildings/powerplants)
  • Fatal bug: cannot overbid in auction
  • Separate save system, no iCloud syncing
  • Info board scaling and drag broken
  • Game doesn't work, crashes on start
  • Cannot confirm city choice
  • Unstable UI, can lose map display
  • Crashes in phase III of online games
  • Online play unstable
  • Doesn't work half the time
  • Cannot resume saved local game
  • Cannot edit local profile name
  • Crashes randomly when starting game
  • AI players do funny things
  • Power plant auction window not displayed
  • Bugs fixed, but still issues
  • Gameplay is awful
  • GUI is non-standard but intuitive
  • Initial screen in German
  • Crashing issues resolved, but UI irritating
  • No music or sound effects during game
  • Poor instructions
  • Third player when selecting 2 player game
  • Tutorial is limited
  • App crashes when accessing help
  • Crashes frequently
  • Parts in English and German
  • Lost games
  • Screens flash, unclear round/phase
  • Crashes after pressing help
  • Cannot reload game
  • No games in online lobbies
  • Untranslated German text in menus
  • Online connection not available

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add a proper tutorial for gameplay
  • Include music and sound effects during gameplay
  • Allow saving and resuming local games
  • Enable editing of local profile names
  • Add iCloud syncing for save games
Show 2 more
  • Improve UI dismiss functionality
  • Add a clear indicator for round/phase

Gaia Project

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Power Grid Boardgame

One-time1
  • 1. Expansion$5.99
None

Gaia Project

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Power Grid Boardgame free?
Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Gaia Project free?
Gaia Project costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Power Grid Boardgame or Gaia Project?
Gaia Project is rated higher. Power Grid Boardgame averages 2.5 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Gaia Project averages 4.0 from 38 ratings.
Do Power Grid Boardgame or Gaia Project have ads?
Neither Power Grid Boardgame nor Gaia Project shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Power Grid Boardgame or Gaia Project?
Power Grid Boardgame ships an update monthly, and Gaia Project monthly. Most recently, Power Grid Boardgame was updated on November 2, 2026 and Gaia Project on October 30, 2026.

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