# Star Command vs Stellaris

The clearest difference is price: Stellaris at Free against Star Command's $2.99. Star Command's advantage is review sentiment (66% vs 31%) and in-app purchases (none vs 12). On rating, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Stellaris is free to download; Star Command costs $2.99 up front. Stellaris sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Star Command asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Star Command against 4.0 for Stellaris. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 905 and 1.6K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Star Command's written reviews are positive against 31% of Stellaris's.

Star Command ships an update every 10 days, Stellaris every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Star Command | Stellaris |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (905 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-command/id632079234/reviews) | [4.0 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellaris-galaxy-command/id1455954927/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 905 | **1.6K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.1% of reviews** | 31.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#123** | — |
| Size | 101 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| 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:** #123 Top Paid · Strategy, #140 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


### Stellaris

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellaris-galaxy-command/id1455954927)

Lead the rebuilding of galactic civilization after an inter-dimensional invasion. Build your space station, explore star systems, form alliances, and wage war in a real-time universe with thousands of players. Experience an epic sci-fi story with strategic gameplay.

**Highlights:** Space station construction and customization, Form and join alliances, Intergalactic trade systems, Fleet design and warfare, Explore a real-time universe, Engage in event chains and uncover mysteries

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GCC (Mini) | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| GCC (Small) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| GCC (Medium) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Large Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| GCC (Large) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Huge Pack | $29.99 | one-time |
| Battle Pass (Elite) | $29.99 | one-time |
| Mega Pack | $49.99 | one-time |
| Ultra Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 😂 Chaotic but fun
- 🤑 Rewarding for free-to-play players
- 🤝 Good alliance and community features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤑 Heavily pay-to-win
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔄 Repetitive and grindy
- 🧭 Lack of in-game guidance and instructions
- 🏃‍♂️ Server merges and shutdowns

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to access solar systems
- Account data loss and resets
- Connectivity and server issues

**Requested features**

- More in-depth gameplay and strategy
- Improved UI and navigation
- Ability to customize ships and fleets
- Meaningful single-player content


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Star Command free?

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

### Is Stellaris free?

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

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

Star Command and Stellaris are both rated 4.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 905 and 1.6K ratings respectively.

### Do Star Command or Stellaris have ads?

Stellaris shows ads; Star Command does not.

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

Star Command ships an update every 10 days, and Stellaris every 2 months. Most recently, Star Command was updated on September 26, 2026 and Stellaris on September 22, 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.*