# Stellaris vs Star Hunter

The clearest difference is rating: Star Hunter at 4.5 against Stellaris's 4.0. Star Hunter also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Star Hunter holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 7.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of Stellaris's written reviews are positive against 39% of Star Hunter's.

Stellaris ships an update every 2 months, Star Hunter weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stellaris | Star Hunter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellaris-galaxy-command/id1455954927/reviews) | **[4.5 (7.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-hunter-infinite-lagrange/id1485549629/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K | **7.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 31.0% of reviews | **38.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.4 GB | 2.6 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [GameBear Tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295555671) | [NETEASE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1485225410) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Star Hunter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-hunter-infinite-lagrange/id1485549629)

Command your fleet in a post-war galaxy, taking on bounty contracts and exploring ruins for treasure and technology. Build your base, upgrade your ships, and engage in tactical space combat. The choice is yours: roam the void or rise from chaos.

**Highlights:** Interstellar tactical extraction gameplay, Fleet command and control, Bounty hunting and contract missions, Explore ruins for treasure and secrets, Base building and upgrades, Ship customization and combat, Faction interaction

**In-app purchases (22)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 60 Chu-Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gift of the Jupiter Ind. | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1 Galaxy Market Standard Coin | $1.69 | one-time |
| Beginner Voyage Pack I | $1.99 | one-time |
| 3 Standard Workshop Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Beginner Voyage Pack II | $2.99 | one-time |
| 10 Tech Points for frigates | $4.99 | one-time |
| 300 Chu-Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Festival Surprise Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Incremental Repair Device | $4.99 | one-time |
| Strategic Set Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| NOMA Shipping Tech Support | $4.99 | one-time |
| 10 Tech Points for destroyers | $8.99 | one-time |
| Dawn Standard Tech Support | $8.99 | one-time |
| 680 Chu-Coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| StrategicPartnershipAgreement | $14.99 | one-time |
| A-Level Technical Blueprint | $14.99 | one-time |
| 10 Galaxy Market Standard Coin | $16.99 | one-time |
| 1280 Chu-Coins | $19.99 | one-time |
| 3280 Chu-Coins | $49.99 | one-time |
| 30 Galaxy Market Standard Coin | $50.99 | one-time |
| 6480 Chu-Coins | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🔍 Detailed graphics
- 📚 Engaging gameplay mechanics
- 🤝 Good community and union features
- 💰 Balanced free-to-play model

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Slow progression and long wait times
- 🤖 Unbalanced AI and overpowered opponents
- 🎲 Frustrating RNG for ship blueprints
- 🧭 Poor navigation and pathing issues
- 🏢 Overcrowded servers and lack of space

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and login issues
- Bugs with base relocation and fleet management
- Inconsistent server performance and downtime

**Requested features**

- Add manual ship control and targeting
- Improve blueprint drop rates and progression
- Introduce more PvE content and campaigns
- Implement better server balancing and player protection
- Allow renaming and customization of ships


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stellaris free?

Stellaris is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Star Hunter free?

Star Hunter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Stellaris or Star Hunter?

Star Hunter is rated higher. Stellaris averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Star Hunter averages 4.5 from 7.4K ratings.

### Do Stellaris or Star Hunter have ads?

Stellaris shows ads; Star Hunter does not.

### Which is updated more often, Stellaris or Star Hunter?

Stellaris ships an update every 2 months, and Star Hunter weekly. Most recently, Stellaris was updated on October 17, 2026 and Star Hunter 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.*