# Space Borders vs Nova Empire

The clearest difference is price: Nova Empire at Free against Space Borders's $1.99. Nova Empire also leads on ratings volume (5.1K vs 167). Space Borders's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 47%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Nova Empire is free to download; Space Borders costs $1.99 up front. Space Borders sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Nova Empire sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Space Borders holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nova Empire has 5.1K ratings behind it against 167, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Space Borders's written reviews are positive against 47% of Nova Empire's.

Space Borders ships an update every 2 months, Nova Empire every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Space Borders | Nova Empire |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-borders-alien-encounter/id490625226/reviews)** | [4.3 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-empire-space-wars-mmo/id1295555672/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 167 | **5.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **90.9% of reviews** | 46.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 166 MB | 1.8 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Amasis Brauch](https://appshunter.io/developer/490625369) | [GameBear Tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295555671) |

## What reviewers say

### Space Borders

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/space-borders-alien-encounter/id490625226)

Command a fleet of starships in a real-time strategy war against hostile aliens. Build your armada, harvest resources, and use tactical formations and superweapons to protect Earth and its colonies from annihilation.

**Highlights:** Real-time strategy gameplay, Build and customize fleet (15 ship types), Resource harvesting and upgrades, Tactical ship formations, Superweapons and special powers, Campaign, Survival, and Sandbox modes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Conquest Mode | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Excellent RTS gameplay mechanics
- 💰 No pay-to-win or microtransactions
- 🎨 Charming 2D graphics and visual style
- ⚙️ Deep fleet customization options
- 📱 Works smoothly on older devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes during missions
- 💾 No save/checkpoint system for long missions
- 🎨 Cartoony graphics in newer versions
- 🤖 Poor AI behavior
- ⏱️ Missions are very long without breaks

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes mid-mission with no progress recovery
- Save file corruption and rollback after updates
- Mission failure without clear cause or visibility
- Resource disappearance between campaign episodes
- Harvester ships launching into enemy fire

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer or online gameplay
- Sequel or major expansion
- Additional campaign missions and episodes
- More ship types and varieties
- More turret and weapon options


### Nova Empire

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-empire-space-wars-mmo/id1295555672)

Engage in epic galactic warfare with players worldwide in this next-generation online space strategy game. Build and customize your space station, design powerful fleets, and form alliances to conquer sectors of space. Experience real-time battles and strategic gameplay with stunning HD graphics.

**Highlights:** Real-time galactic battles, Alliance system for sector control, Fleet design and customization, Space station building, Recruit elite admirals, HD graphics and sound

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tiny Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Special Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Bonus Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ultra Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Large Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Prime Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Huge Pack | $49.99 | one-time |
| Epic Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Dominator Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent graphics and gameplay
- 🔒 Secure and stable connection
- 👍 Engaging alliance and community features
- 🚀 Smooth progression for free-to-play players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
- ⏱️ Extremely long build/upgrade times
- 💰 Aggressive monetization and pay-to-win mechanics
- 🔒 Poor customer support and lack of responsiveness

**Reported bugs**

- Shields randomly deactivating during wars
- Disappearing ships and lost progress after crashes
- Inability to leave or switch alliances due to glitches

**Requested features**

- Ability to transfer resources between alliance members
- More diplomacy options between alliances
- Improved tutorial and onboarding for new players
- Larger and more diverse galaxy to explore


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Space Borders free?

Space Borders costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Nova Empire free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Space Borders or Nova Empire?

Space Borders is rated higher. Space Borders averages 4.7 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Nova Empire averages 4.3 from 5.1K ratings.

### Do Space Borders or Nova Empire have ads?

Neither Space Borders nor Nova Empire shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Space Borders or Nova Empire?

Space Borders ships an update every 2 months, and Nova Empire every 6 weeks. Most recently, Space Borders was updated on November 1, 2026 and Nova Empire on November 11, 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.*