# Idle Stars vs Groundbound

The clearest difference is update cadence: Groundbound at every 2 days against Idle Stars's every 3 weeks. Groundbound also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Idle Stars sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Groundbound sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Idle Stars ships an update every 3 weeks, Groundbound every 2 days. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Stars | Groundbound |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-stars/id6804573898/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 13 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [PULSAR LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/485209178) | [Jaroslav Knapek](https://appshunter.io/developer/6818115280) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 |


### Groundbound

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/groundbound/id6818115278)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| +20 garage slots | $2.69 | one-time |
| +100 garage slots | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Stars free?

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

### Is Groundbound free?

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

### Do Idle Stars or Groundbound have ads?

Neither Idle Stars nor Groundbound shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Stars or Groundbound?

Idle Stars ships an update every 3 weeks, and Groundbound every 2 days. Most recently, Idle Stars was updated on November 6, 2026 and Groundbound on November 6, 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.*