Space Engine Alternatives for Linux

Space Engine is not available for Linux but there are some alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Stellarium, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Space Engine and eight of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Space Engine are Celestia, Gaia Sky, Universe Sandbox and WinStars.

filter to find the best alternatives

Space Engine alternatives are mainly Star Maps, but if you're looking for Action Games or Adventure Games you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Mac, Android + Star Map, Linux, Star Map, Android + Open World Game and Android + Sandbox Games. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Space Engine.
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Alternatives list

  1. Stellarium icon

    Stellarium

     382 likes

    Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

    59 Stellarium alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    The dance of the planets above ESO headquarters, near Munich.
     
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    6
    Stellarium vs Space Engine Comments
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    11

    I want to explore other Earth-like planets and it only seems to let you look at the night sky.

    guiltypixel
    Negative
    0

    Not an alternative. Stellarium is a planetarium application.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    These don't do the same thing, Stellarium simulates the real sky as seen from Earth, Space Engine simulates interstellar travel, including real but also procedurally generated bodies.

    3 of 6 comments
    • Stellarium is Free and Open SourceSpace Engine is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Celestia icon

    Celestia

     135 likes

    Celestia is an application for real-time 3D visualization of space, with a detailed model of the solar system, over 100,000 stars, more than 10,000 galaxies, and an extension mechanism for adding more objects.

    31 Celestia alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • visionOS
    The orbits of a number of main belt asteroids (in brown) plotted together with major planet orbits (in blue).
     
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    2
    Celestia vs Space Engine Comments
    msharvey
    Positive
    5

    It has lower system requirements and works well on older hardware.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    They almost look the same with good graphics and I can also see different planets

    • Celestia is Free and Open SourceSpace Engine is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Gaia Sky icon

    Gaia Sky

     13 likes

    3D visualization software for ESA's (European Space Agency) Gaia mission to chart about 1 billion stars of the Milky Way Galaxy.

    45 Gaia Sky alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Gaia Sky screenshot 1
     
  5. Universe Sandbox icon

    Universe Sandbox

     16 likes

    Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe.

    21 Universe Sandbox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Steam
    • GOG.com
    • Epic Games Store
    • itch.io
    • Humble Bundle
    • HTC Vive
    Universe Sandbox screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Universe Sandbox vs Space Engine Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    it's different enough to warrant buying over space engine, but similar enough where its okay for a comparison. It doesn't look as nice, but it actually has a proper physics engine.

    • Universe Sandbox is Paid and ProprietarySpace Engine is also Paid and Proprietary
  7. WinStars icon

    WinStars

     7 likes

    WinStars uses the latest 3D technology to show the objects of our solar system in a realistic manner. Thus, it is possible to move from one planet to another, to follow a space probe on its long voyage or to observe a celestial event from a place to which you could never go.

    19 WinStars alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Wine
    WinStars screenshot 1
     
  8. Cosmonium icon

    Cosmonium

     6 likes

    Cosmonium is a 3D astronomy and space exploration program. With Cosmonium you can navigate in our solar system and discover all the planets and their moons.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Io transiting over Jupiter
     
  9. OpenSpace icon

    OpenSpace

     2 likes

    OpenSpace is open-source interactive data visualization software designed to visualize the entire known universe and portray our ongoing efforts to investigate the cosmos.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    OpenSpace screenshot 1
     
  10. Warpfire.io icon

    Warpfire.io

     Like

    Browser-based space MMO recreating classic gameplay, featuring real-time multiplayer battles, space exploration with allies, ship upgrades, PvP combat, missions, loot, top-down design, fleet tactics, and free play on any device without installation or downloads.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • Google Chrome
    Warpfire.io screenshot 1
     
8 of 8 Space Engine alternatives