# Star Command vs Operation

The clearest difference is price: Operation at Free against Star Command's $2.99. Operation also leads on rating (4.2 vs 4.0). Star Command's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 22) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Operation is free to download; Star Command costs $2.99 up front. Operation sells 22 one-off in-app purchases. Star Command asks for nothing beyond the download.

Operation holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 905 and 616 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of Star Command's written reviews are positive against 53% of Operation's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Star Command ships an update every 10 days, Operation every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Star Command | Operation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (905 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-command/id632079234/reviews) | **[4.2 (616 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/operation-new-earth/id1098898838/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **905** | 616 |
| Positive reviews | **66.1% of reviews** | 52.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#161** | — |
| Size | 101 MB | 262 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Star Command, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/632079238) | [Tilting Point LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1095401785) |

## What reviewers say

### Star Command

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-command/id632079234)

**Currently charting:** #161 Top Paid · Strategy, #187 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

Command your own starship, recruit and level up your crew, and explore a vast universe. Engage in tactical combat, manage ship roles, and make decisions that impact your journey through space.

**Highlights:** Build and command your starship, Hire and level up crew members, Explore the universe, Defend against alien civilizations, Tactical combat and ship management, Multiple ship hull choices, Discover alien species

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing game
- 🚀 Fun and challenging gameplay
- 🚀 Great music and visuals
- 👍 No in-app purchases
- 👍 Replayability

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🐛 UI issues (e.g. buttons off-screen)
- 🔍 Short story/content
- 🔍 Repetitive gameplay
- 🔍 Lack of updates/new content

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes on startup
- Crew members getting stuck or lost
- Weapons/UI elements disappearing
- Progression/save data issues

**Requested features**

- More ships, rooms, and customization options
- Expanded story and missions
- Multiplayer and co-op modes
- Ability to board enemy ships
- Improved crew management and AI


### Operation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/operation-new-earth/id1098898838)

Defend Earth from a massive alien invasion in this sci-fi multiplayer strategy game. Build your base, raise an army, and command powerful heroes to retake the planet. Form alliances and engage in real-time faction wars against both aliens and hostile humans.

**Highlights:** Build and upgrade military facility, Train specialized army units, Command and capture enemy heroes, Chat, trade, and invite players, Join alliances for strategic warfare, Engage in real-time faction wars

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

**In-app purchases (22)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bronze Supply Drop | $0.99 | one-time |
| Iron Supply Drop | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Starter Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gold Supply Drop | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bronze Shard Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Epic Bronze Booster Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Growth Bundle | $24.99 | one-time |
| Silver Shard Bundle | $29.99 | one-time |
| Gold Shard Bundle | $49.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Shard Bundle | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Hero Equipment Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Invader Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Launcher Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Interceptor Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Cyber Bundle | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Behemoth Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Mobile Cannon Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Battle Disc Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Covert Agent Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Attack Rover Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Falcon Pack | $99.99 | one-time |
| Platinum Heavy Mech Bundle | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive gameplay
- 👍 Enjoyable strategy elements
- 🤝 Good alliance system
- 💡 Potential for improvement

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🕰️ Slow progression and long upgrade times
- 🤺 Bullying and imbalance between players

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and connection issues
- Inability to update or download new versions
- Glitches with UI and in-game mechanics

**Requested features**

- Improved shielding and protection options
- Expanded map and zoom functionality
- Better resource production and gathering
- More balanced matchmaking and region merges


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Star Command free?

Star Command costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Operation free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Star Command or Operation?

Operation is rated higher. Star Command averages 4.0 out of 5 from 905 ratings, while Operation averages 4.2 from 616 ratings.

### Do Star Command or Operation have ads?

Operation shows ads; Star Command does not.

### Which is updated more often, Star Command or Operation?

Star Command ships an update every 10 days, and Operation every 2 weeks. Most recently, Star Command was updated on September 26, 2026 and Operation on September 25, 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.*