# Star Command vs Nova Empire

The clearest difference is price: Nova Empire at Free against Star Command's $2.99. Nova Empire also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (5.1K vs 905). Star Command's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and review sentiment (66% vs 47%). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Nova Empire is free to download; Star Command costs $2.99 up front. Nova Empire sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Star Command asks for nothing beyond the download.

Nova Empire holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nova Empire has 5.1K ratings behind it against 905, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of Star Command's written reviews are positive against 47% of Nova Empire'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, Nova Empire every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Star Command | Nova Empire |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (905 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-command/id632079234/reviews) | **[4.3 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-empire-space-wars-mmo/id1295555672/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 905 | **5.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.1% of reviews** | 46.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#101** | — |
| Size | 101 MB | 1.8 GB |
| 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) | [GameBear Tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295555671) |

## What reviewers say

### Star Command

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

**Currently charting:** #101 Top Paid · Strategy, #112 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


### 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 Star Command free?

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

### Is Nova Empire free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Star Command or Nova Empire?

Nova Empire is rated higher. Star Command averages 4.0 out of 5 from 905 ratings, while Nova Empire averages 4.3 from 5.1K ratings.

### Do Star Command or Nova Empire have ads?

Neither Star Command nor Nova Empire shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Star Command or Nova Empire?

Star Command ships an update every 10 days, and Nova Empire every 6 weeks. Most recently, Star Command was updated on September 23, 2026 and Nova Empire on September 24, 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.*