# Spaceward Ho! vs Dune

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spaceward Ho! at none against Dune's 3. Spaceward Ho! also leads on price ($4.99 vs $10.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). Dune's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (5K vs 95). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Spaceward Ho! costs $4.99 and Dune $10.99 up front. Dune sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Spaceward Ho! asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dune holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dune has 5K ratings behind it against 95, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 79% and 79% positive.

Spaceward Ho! ships an update every 6 weeks, Dune every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spaceward Ho! | Dune |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $10.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spaceward-ho/id510527152/reviews) | **[4.9 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dune-imperium/id1575414319/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 95 | **5K** |
| Positive reviews | 78.6% of reviews | **78.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #188 | **#26** |
| Size | 25 MB | 804 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Ariton](https://appshunter.io/developer/493802606) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### Spaceward Ho!

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

**Currently charting:** #188 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

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


### Dune

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dune-imperium/id1575414319)

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Paid · Board, #84 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Engage in strategic warfare and political intrigue on the desert planet Arrakis. This award-winning board game adaptation blends deck-building and worker placement mechanics. Compete against AI, other players online, or face unique challenges and rotating game modes.

**Highlights:** Deck-building mechanics, Worker placement strategy, Online multiplayer, Local AI battles, Unique challenges, Rotating Skirmish Mode, Achievement system

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dune: Imperium - Rise of Ix | $9.99 | one-time |
| Dune: Imperium - Immortality | $9.99 | one-time |
| Dune: Imperium - Uprising | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 🎨 Beautiful implementation
- 💪 Challenging AI
- 🕹️ Great digital adaptation of the board game
- 🕰️ Quick gameplay sessions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Obtrusive DRM
- 🕹️ No local multiplayer/pass-and-play
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🔁 Slow reloading when switching between app and game
- 🔍 Difficulty seeing card details

**Reported bugs**

- Intrigue card issues
- Inconsistent login credentials
- Notification problems
- Victory points reset bug

**Requested features**

- Controller support
- Pass and play mode
- Ability to choose leaders
- Expand card detail visibility


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spaceward Ho! free?

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

### Is Dune free?

Dune costs $10.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Spaceward Ho! or Dune?

Dune is rated higher. Spaceward Ho! averages 4.6 out of 5 from 95 ratings, while Dune averages 4.9 from 5K ratings.

### Do Spaceward Ho! or Dune have ads?

Neither Spaceward Ho! nor Dune shows ads.

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

Spaceward Ho! ships an update every 6 weeks, and Dune every 5 days. Most recently, Spaceward Ho! was updated on October 31, 2026 and Dune on November 1, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Spaceward Ho! or Dune?

Spaceward Ho! currently peaks at #188 in the App Store charts, and Dune at #26. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*