# Stellaris vs Starborne Frontiers

The clearest difference is rating: Starborne Frontiers at 4.7 against Stellaris's 4.0. Starborne Frontiers also leads on review sentiment (56% vs 31%) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stellaris sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and Starborne Frontiers sells 48 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Starborne Frontiers holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 1.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of Stellaris's written reviews are positive against 56% of Starborne Frontiers's.

Stellaris ships an update every 2 months, Starborne Frontiers every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stellaris | Starborne Frontiers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellaris-galaxy-command/id1455954927/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starborne-frontiers/id1594574564/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 1.3K |
| Positive reviews | 31.0% of reviews | **56.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1.4 GB | 920 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [GameBear Tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295555671) | [Solid Clouds hf](https://appshunter.io/developer/1594574566) |

## 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


### Starborne Frontiers

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starborne-frontiers/id1594574564)

Command a fleet of over 100 unique spaceships in this epic space strategy game. Explore a vast universe, engage in tactical battles, and uncover the secrets of the mysterious Abyss. Upgrade your ships, recruit powerful captains, and compete against other players.

**Highlights:** Collect and upgrade over 100 unique spaceships, Lead your crew into tactical space battles, Explore the non-linear Abyss for secrets and treasures, Engage in 6 diverse game modes, Master challenging boss encounters, Recruit captains with unique abilities

**In-app purchases (48)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bit License | $4.99 | per month |
| Credit License | $14.99 | per month |
| Defense Contract | $0.99 | one-time |
| Fleet Upgrades | $1.99 | one-time |
| Energy Boost | $2.99 | one-time |
| Rookie Expansion | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Promotion | $2.99 | one-time |
| Command Enhancement | $2.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Skills Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Starter Epic Unit | $3.99 | one-time |
| Small Pack 2 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Tactical Tokens | $3.99 | one-time |
| Expedited Enlist | $4.99 | one-time |
| Rookie Armada | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starter Equipment | $4.99 | one-time |
| Seasonal Starter Deal | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 8 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 6 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 10 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 7 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Implant Package | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Bundle 9 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Starter Epic Units | $5.99 | one-time |
| Small Cache 8 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Small Cache 6 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Starter | $6.99 | one-time |
| Commander Pass | $9.99 | one-time |
| Weekly Recruit Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Arm Up | $9.99 | one-time |
| Rookie Offer | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack 2 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack 7 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Admiral Pass | $19.99 | one-time |
| Recruitment Offer | $19.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Bundle 4 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Seasonal Value Deal | $24.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Cache 7 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Cache 2 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Cache 3 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Cache 8 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Cache 5 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Substantial Cache 1 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Huge Bundle 7 | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun game with interesting progression
- 🚀 Nice design reminiscent of other space games
- 🚀 Awesome game, lots of fun
- 🚀 Great SCI-FI feel to hero collecting
- 🚀 Reasonable gatcha pity with generous rewards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant crashes and disconnections during fights
- 🐛 Unstable and buggy, especially after updates
- 🐛 Crashes on loading screens and during battles
- 🐛 Crashes on older devices and iOS
- 🐛 Frequent crashes making the game unplayable

**Reported bugs**

- Constant crashes during battles
- Crashes on loading screens and campaign stages
- Account login issues and progress resets
- Compatibility problems on older devices

**Requested features**

- Better explanation of tactics and mechanics
- More online content and player-to-player interaction
- Improved stability and reduced crashes
- Ability to load saved game when switching devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stellaris free?

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

### Is Starborne Frontiers free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Stellaris or Starborne Frontiers?

Starborne Frontiers is rated higher. Stellaris averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Starborne Frontiers averages 4.7 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do Stellaris or Starborne Frontiers have ads?

Both Stellaris and Starborne Frontiers show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Stellaris or Starborne Frontiers?

Stellaris ships an update every 2 months, and Starborne Frontiers every 11 days. Most recently, Stellaris was updated on October 17, 2026 and Starborne Frontiers on October 14, 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.*