# Starbase Orion vs Spaceward Ho!

The clearest difference is price: Spaceward Ho! at $4.99 against Starbase Orion's $7.99. Spaceward Ho! also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.2). Starbase Orion's advantage is chart position (#193 vs unranked) and ratings volume (329 vs 95). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Starbase Orion costs $7.99 and Spaceward Ho! $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Starbase Orion against 4.6 for Spaceward Ho!. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 329 and 95 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Starbase Orion's written reviews are positive against 79% of Spaceward Ho!'s.

Starbase Orion ships an update every 3 months, Spaceward Ho! every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starbase Orion | Spaceward Ho! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (329 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starbase-orion/id438375580/reviews)** | [4.6 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceward-ho/id510527152/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **329** | 95 |
| Positive reviews | **81.3% of reviews** | 78.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#193** | — |
| Size | 239 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.2 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Chimera Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/347752625) | [Ariton](https://appshunter.io/developer/493802606) |

## What reviewers say

### Starbase Orion

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

**Currently charting:** #193 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


### Spaceward Ho!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceward-ho/id510527152)

Command a spacefaring civilization to explore, colonize, and conquer the galaxy. Develop technologies, manage resources, and lead your starship fleets in strategic battles against alien adversaries. Forge alliances or dominate the cosmos to determine the fate of the galaxy.

**Highlights:** Galaxy exploration and colonization, Empire and economy management, Technology development, Starship fleet combat, Diplomacy with alien races, Resource mining and terraforming

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⏰ Timeless gameplay still engaging after 30+ years
- 📱 Works well on modern iOS devices despite age
- 🎮 Faithful port of classic Mac game
- 🎯 Simple yet deep strategy mechanics
- 😄 Includes original sound effects and Easter eggs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 📐 UI feels clunky and dated
- 🔍 Small icons and buttons difficult to tap accurately
- 📊 Missing comparison graphs from original version
- 🎯 Planet icons remain too large when zoomed out

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes when ending turn while winning
- Crashes on iOS 14+ due to security checks
- Audio issues on Mac with Apple Silicon
- Dreadnoughts disappear when mixed with tankers in delayed fleets
- Some planets get stuck and won't terraform or mine

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer support (most frequently requested)
- WiFi/Bluetooth multiplayer with friends
- Game Center integration for multiplayer
- Save/load game functionality for save-scumming
- Ability to rename planets and ships


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starbase Orion free?

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

### Is Spaceward Ho! free?

Spaceward Ho! costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Starbase Orion or Spaceward Ho!?

Starbase Orion is rated higher. Starbase Orion averages 4.7 out of 5 from 329 ratings, while Spaceward Ho! averages 4.6 from 95 ratings.

### Do Starbase Orion or Spaceward Ho! have ads?

Neither Starbase Orion nor Spaceward Ho! shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Starbase Orion or Spaceward Ho!?

Starbase Orion ships an update every 3 months, and Spaceward Ho! every 6 weeks. Most recently, Starbase Orion was updated on November 1, 2026 and Spaceward Ho! on November 1, 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.*