# Idle Space Mining vs Idle Stars

The clearest difference is rating: Idle Stars at 4.8 against Idle Space Mining's 4.0. Idle Stars also leads on ads (none vs shown). Idle Space Mining's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, ratings volume, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Idle Stars sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Idle Space Mining asks for nothing beyond the download.

Idle Stars holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 5 respectively.

Idle Space Mining ships an update weekly, Idle Stars every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Space Mining | Idle Stars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-space-mining/id6790513254/reviews) | **[4.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-stars/id6804573898/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **5** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 121 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [ISAAC MICHAEL FRETT](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877499106) | [PULSAR LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/485209178) |

## What reviewers say

### Idle Space Mining

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-space-mining/id6790513254)

Build and expand a space mining empire through incremental upgrades and strategic choices. Reset your progress to gain permanent bonuses and achieve ultimate power. Earn resources even while offline.

**Highlights:** Incremental mining empire building, Strategic doctrine choices, Prestige system with Dark Matter, Permanent upgrades via Star Shards, Offline earnings, Challenging game modes, Comet catching events

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Idle Stars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-stars/id6804573898)

Build a star-spanning empire by managing resources, researching technologies, and colonizing new worlds. Engage in diplomacy or conflict with alien civilizations. Reset your universe with permanent upgrades to achieve greater progress each cycle.

**Highlights:** Layered idle economy with five resources, Research paths and automation, Galaxy map with exploration and colonization, Diplomacy and conflict with civilizations, Supernova resets with permanent progression, Offline progress and notifications

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1-Hour Boost | $1.99 | one-time |
| Supporter Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Stellar Charter | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Space Mining free?

Idle Space Mining is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Idle Stars free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Idle Space Mining or Idle Stars?

Idle Stars is rated higher. Idle Space Mining averages 4.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Idle Stars averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.

### Do Idle Space Mining or Idle Stars have ads?

Idle Space Mining shows ads; Idle Stars does not.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Space Mining or Idle Stars?

Idle Space Mining ships an update weekly, and Idle Stars every 3 weeks. Most recently, Idle Space Mining was updated on October 31, 2026 and Idle Stars on October 31, 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.*