Comparison

Subnautica vs SplitStream

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Subnautica

Explore a vast alien ocean planet, craft equipment, pilot submarines, and uncover mysteries to survive. This open-world adventure offers multiple game modes for different playstyles.

Highlights
  • Underwater exploration
  • Crafting and base building
  • Submarine piloting
  • Survival mechanics
  • Multiple game modes
  • Alien ocean planet setting
Read full description

*Make sure to check if your device is supported before playing Subnautica!* Subnautica is an underwater adventure game set on an alien ocean planet. A massive, open world full of wonder and peril awaits you! Descend into the depths, craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive. Unravel the mystery of this world teeming with creatures, both friendly and hostile, scattered with clues from a previous time. Play in Survival mode to experience the original challenge, or switch to Freedom or Creative mode to discover this oceanic planet without the pressures of thirst, hunger, or oxygen. FEATURES • SURVIVE - After crash landing on a vast underwater planet, the clock is ticking to find water, food, and to develop the equipment you need to explore. • EXPLORE - Manage your hunger, thirst, and oxygen supply as you dive into towering kelp forests, sunlit plateaus, bio-luminescent reefs, and winding cave systems. • SCAVENGE - Collect resources from the ocean around you. Venture deeper and further to find rarer resources, allowing you to craft more advanced items. • CRAFT - Build bases to shelter in, vehicles to pilot, tools for survival to aid you in navigating and adapting to this subaquatic landscape. • DISCOVER - What happened to this planet? What caused you to crash? Can you find a way to make it off the planet alive? • CUSTOMIZE - Play in Survival mode to experience the original challenge, or switch to Freedom or Creative mode to discover this oceanic planet without the pressures of thirst, hunger, or oxygen. CAREFULLY REDESIGNED FOR MOBILE • Revamped interface – exclusive mobile UI with complete touch control • Game Center achievements • Cloud Save – Share your progress between iOS devices • Compatible with MFi controllers • iPhone 16 Optimization (including Pro Max) ----- *DEVICES NOT SUPPORTED (THE GAME WON'T WORK)*: - iPhone Xr, iPhone SE Gen 2 (2020) - iPad Mini Gen 5, iPad Air Gen 3, iPad Gen 8, iPad Gen 9 *SUPPORTED DEVICES ON LOW RESOLUTION ONLY*: - iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone SE Gen 3 (2022) - iPad Pro 10.5", iPad Mini Gen 6, iPad Air Gen 4, iPad Gen 10, iPad Pro 11" Gen 1, iPad Pro 12.9" Gen 3 *SUPPORTED DEVICES* : - iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 AND ABOVE - iPad Pro 11" Gen 2, iPad Pro 12.9" Gen 4, iPad Air Gen 5, iPad Pro 11" Gen 3, iPad Pro 11" Gen 4, iPad Pro 12.9" Gen 5, iPad Pro 12.9" Gen 6 AND ABOVE

About

SplitStream

Features
Read full description

SPLITSTREAM - Bio-Digital Ascent Master the art of cellular division in this fast-paced arcade game. Control two connected cells that can split apart or merge together. Hold to split wide and brake, release to merge narrow and accelerate. Navigate through deadly obstacles by timing your splits perfectly. Center spikes require you to split. Side walls demand you merge. Every decision affects your speed and survival. How high can you ascend?

Screenshots

Subnautica4 screens
SplitStream4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SplitStream at Free against Subnautica's $8.99. SplitStream also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). Subnautica's advantage is chart position (#21 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

SplitStream is free to download; Subnautica costs $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Subnautica ships an update every 2 weeks, SplitStream every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Subnautica versus SplitStream: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubnauticaSplitStream
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (1.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.2K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#21 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size2.2 GB1 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperUnknown WorldsSuleyman Dibirov

Bugs and requests

Subnautica

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Sound cuts out after using the seaglide
  • Reapers and ghost leviathans not spawning properly

Requested features

2 requests
  • Support for iPad and Mac devices
  • Improved integration with iOS features

SplitStream

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Subnautica

No in-app purchases

None

SplitStream

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Subnautica free?
Subnautica costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SplitStream free?
SplitStream is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Subnautica or SplitStream have ads?
Neither Subnautica nor SplitStream shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Subnautica or SplitStream?
Subnautica ships an update every 2 weeks, and SplitStream every 3 days. Most recently, Subnautica was updated on October 16, 2026 and SplitStream on September 30, 2026.

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