Power Grid Boardgame vs Heliopoly
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Heliopoly
Read full descriptionHide full description
Heliopoly is orbital economics on the Mainline of our solar system (Helios): buy claims, burn propellant, duel rivals, and try not to go broke. Currency is Angzarr (⍼). Every buy, rent, and duel hits the Automated Interplanetary Asset Ledger. Last rocket flying wins — no timer, no “enough Angzarr.” THREE DOORS The first screen is three doors: • Arcade — the big door. One-minute play: Bot Evolution, Backup Fuel, and Hull Panel. Arcade never moves a charter you already started. • Journey — the full charter. Name a rocket, pick methane or hydrogen, and Launch against AI pilots from Mercury to the Saturn moons. • Lab — experiments. Gravity Duel practice, Deseret Letters, Urinal-rule Parking, and more. Lab unlocks after you finish one Arcade toy. Home brings you back to the doors without quitting a flight. In Journey, own systems, plant fuel depots, and stay solvent long enough for the ledger to write your name. ONLY ON THE MAINLINE • As of 2026, the only space game where a rogue Tesla can trash your fuel pods • Trade in Angzarr (⍼) — the ledger remembers every bad decision • Bring enough propellant, or become a very expensive monument • The only space game where “feral” doesn’t just apply to cats • Blank lane? Gravity Duel. Smile for the 2d6. • Last rocket flying. No timer. The cosmos does not care about your schedule. Got ideas? Contribute on GitHub: https://github.com/diagonalcounty/heliopoly — issues welcome, MIT, same engine as heliopoly.live. HOW AN EXPEDITION FEELS • Path — One circuit: Earth → Venus → Mercury → Mars → belt → Jupiter → Saturn → home • Claims — Buy planets and moons; own a full system and rent doubles • Stations — Trade hubs that get meaner as you collect more of them • Fuel — Landing is free; leaving a gravity well costs propellant • Parking — Sit still too often and claims can go feral back to the bank • Gravity Duel — Meet another rocket on a blank lane: secret Low/High, 2d6 PLAY YOUR WAY • 2–6 pilots (you plus AI, or full self-play) • Easy through Expert AI packs • Full Helios Ops Manual in-app: rules, glossary, rival-rocket civilopedia • iPhone and iPad NO WI‑FI NEEDED Heliopoly ships the complete game in the app package. Open the app and play — no account, no network required. Also free in the browser at heliopoly.live — same rules engine, open source (MIT). Not affiliated with Solarquest or any commercial board game.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Heliopoly at none against Power Grid Boardgame's 1. Heliopoly also leads on price ($3.99 vs $8.99) and update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). Power Grid Boardgame's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On ads and device support 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
Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99 and Heliopoly $3.99 up front. Power Grid Boardgame sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Heliopoly asks for nothing beyond the download.
Power Grid Boardgame ships an update monthly, Heliopoly every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Power Grid Boardgame | Heliopoly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 2.5 (26 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 32.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 26 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 141 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brettspielwelt GmbH | Jacob Roecker |
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- Improve UI dismiss functionality
- Add a clear indicator for round/phase
Heliopoly
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Power Grid Boardgame
- 1. Expansion$5.99
Heliopoly
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Power Grid Boardgame free?
Is Heliopoly free?
Do Power Grid Boardgame or Heliopoly have ads?
Which is updated more often, Power Grid Boardgame or Heliopoly?
Other comparisons















