# Starbase Orion vs Circle Arena

The clearest difference is price: Circle Arena at Free against Starbase Orion's $7.99. Starbase Orion's advantage is chart position (#193 vs unranked) and device support. On in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Circle Arena is free to download; Starbase Orion costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starbase Orion | Circle Arena |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (329 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starbase-orion/id438375580/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **329** | — |
| Positive reviews | 81.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | — |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | **#193** | — |
| Size | 239 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.2** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | — |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Chimera Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/347752625) | [Sadron Publishing LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/423696270) |

## 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- 🔍 Outdated visuals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


### Circle Arena

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-arena/id6760718921)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starbase Orion free?

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

### Is Circle Arena free?

Circle Arena is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*