# Nether Earth vs Starbase Orion

The clearest difference is rating: Starbase Orion at 4.7 against Nether Earth's 3.6. Starbase Orion also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 23 months) and review sentiment (81% vs 54%). Nether Earth's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $7.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Nether Earth costs $0.99 and Starbase Orion $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Starbase Orion holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Starbase Orion has 329 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Nether Earth's written reviews are positive against 81% of Starbase Orion's.

Nether Earth ships an update every 23 months, Starbase Orion every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nether Earth | Starbase Orion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | [3.6 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nether-earth/id382693659/reviews) | **[4.7 (329 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starbase-orion/id438375580/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **329** |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **81.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#183** |
| Size | 4 MB | 239 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **11.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Aleksejs Voloviks](https://appshunter.io/developer/316367204) | [Chimera Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/347752625) |

## What reviewers say

### Nether Earth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nether-earth/id382693659)

Engage in real-time strategic warfare against an alien race using giant military robots. Build your forces, capture factories, and conquer enemy bases in this classic isometric strategy game.

**Highlights:** Real-time strategy gameplay, Robot unit construction, Order-based combat, Factory capture and production, Isometric graphics, Conquer enemy bases

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Starbase Orion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starbase-orion/id438375580)

**Currently charting:** #183 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Engage in a deep 4X space strategy experience. Explore, expand, and conquer the galaxy by colonizing worlds, designing ships, and outmaneuvering opponents in turn-based combat. Features a robust AI and multiplayer options for galactic domination.

**Highlights:** Explore new worlds, Expand your empire, Exterminate rivals, Design custom ships, Engage in turn-based combat, Diplomacy and espionage, Multiplayer via GameCenter

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent 4x strategy game
- 👍 Faithful recreation of Master of Orion
- 🚀 Continuously updated with new features
- 👍 Vibrant player community
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay and intuitive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Limited diplomacy and foreign relations
- 🔍 Automated combat lacks depth
- 🔍 Repetitive late-game experience
- 🔍 Outdated visuals

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and save file corruption
- UI issues with overlapping text and unresponsive controls
- Multiplayer matchmaking and connectivity problems

**Requested features**

- More ship classes and customization options
- Expanded tech tree and research system
- Deeper diplomacy and espionage mechanics
- Manual control of ship combat
- Improved end-game content and victory conditions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nether Earth free?

Nether Earth costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starbase Orion free?

Starbase Orion costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Nether Earth or Starbase Orion?

Starbase Orion is rated higher. Nether Earth averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Starbase Orion averages 4.7 from 329 ratings.

### Do Nether Earth or Starbase Orion have ads?

Neither Nether Earth nor Starbase Orion shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Nether Earth or Starbase Orion?

Nether Earth ships an update every 23 months, and Starbase Orion every 3 months. Most recently, Nether Earth was updated on October 27, 2026 and Starbase Orion on October 26, 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.*