# Subnautica vs SplitStream

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.

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

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Subnautica | SplitStream |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $8.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subnautica/id6478639011/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | **#21** | — |
| Size | 2.2 GB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Unknown Worlds](https://appshunter.io/developer/1733568374) | [Suleyman Dibirov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1041879145) |

## What reviewers say

### Subnautica

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subnautica/id6478639011)

**Currently charting:** #21 Top Paid · Adventure, #39 Top Paid · Action, #122 Top Paid · Games, #188 Top Paid (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Flawless performance
- 👍 Smooth UI and controls
- 🎨 Stunning graphics and visuals
- 🎮 Faithful mobile port of the original game
- 🔋 Good battery life

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🗺️ Issues with map chunk loading and creature spawns

**Reported bugs**

- Sound cuts out after using the seaglide
- Reapers and ghost leviathans not spawning properly

**Requested features**

- Support for iPad and Mac devices
- Improved integration with iOS features


### SplitStream

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/splitstream/id6755510799)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*
