01
ROLL & HARVEST
Every roll reshapes the table. Linked worlds produce the resources your frontier needs.
FREE ONLINE CATAN ALTERNATIVE · PRIVATE ALPHAROLL. TRADE. BUILD.
ROLL. TRADE. BUILD.
ACROSS THE STARS.
Looking for a free online alternative to Settlers of Catan? Roll dice, collect resources, trade with other players and build across a galactic board. Join the Alpha, confirm your email and bring your crew.
◎ FREE IN BROWSER · 2–4 PLAYERS · NO DOWNLOADTHE SCI-FI ALTERNATIVE TO CATANTHE CATAN FORMULA.
THE CATAN FORMULA.
NOW ACROSS THE STARS.
Astrail is a direct free online alternative to Catan. Roll dice, produce resources, negotiate trades and expand your network — now with planets, routes, stations and colonies.
02
TRADE & OUTPLAY
Read the table, negotiate with rivals and turn an imperfect cargo hold into your next move.
03
BUILD THE FRONTIER
Extend routes, establish stations and upgrade colonies before another fleet reaches 10 Prestige.
THIS IS THE GAME. RIGHT NOW.
No cinematic mockup. No invented features. This is the current playable Alpha.
COMPARE THE WAYS
TO PLAY CATAN ONLINE.
Astrail competes directly with Colonist as a free browser alternative. Compare both with the official digital options.
HONEST 2026 GUIDECATAN ALTERNATIVES
Compare Astrail, Colonist and the official digital options by access, modes and best fit.
OPEN GUIDE
HEAD-TO-HEADASTRAIL VS COLONIST
Compare two direct Catan alternatives: Colonist's classic presentation and Astrail's galactic board.
OPEN GUIDE
PLAY IN BROWSERONLINE STRATEGY
Private rooms, training fleets and social resource strategy without a game download.
OPEN GUIDEA FAMILIAR STRATEGY RHYTHM.
Simple to learn. Deep to master.
ROLL
Roll two dice. Every numbered sector matching the total activates, unless the Interceptor is blocking it.
PRODUCE
Stations collect one resource from each connected activated sector. Colonies collect two.
TRADE
Negotiate with another commander, exchange 4:1 with the reserve or use a connected port.
BUILD
Spend resources on routes, stations, colonies or a technology from the Technology Core.
END TURN
Confirm the end of your command phase and pass control to the next fleet.
EVERY PLANET CHANGES THE DEAL.
Secure the right worlds, control the routes between them and make every trade count.
BIOMASS
Organic matter used for routes and stations.
ALLOY
Structural material for routes and stations.
AETHER
Rare gas used for stations and technologies.
HELION FUEL
Energy-dense stellar fuel used to power stations, colonies and technologies.
CRYO-ORE
Advanced mineral used for colonies and technologies.
MULTIPLAYER MODES
ALPHA TRANSPARENCY
HELP SHAPE THE FRONTIER.
ASTRAIL is in active development. Play, break things, share feedback and help decide what comes next.
VIEW ROADMAP- ✣Active DevelopmentFrequent updates and improvements.
- ⌁Community DrivenYour feedback directs the roadmap.
- ♡Honest & OpenNo paywalls. No surprises.
LATEST TRANSMISSIONS
ROADMAP
The Road Ahead for Astrail
Our immediate priorities as the first commanders begin entering the Alpha.
PATCH NOTES
Alpha 7 — Stability and Access Update
A production-focused update improving camera controls, authentication and player identity.
NEWS
Astrail Alpha Registrations Are Now Open
Register for the Astrail Alpha and help shape a new online space strategy experience.
HELP SHAPE THE ALPHA.
Follow development, report problems and see what the community is helping us build next.
SUPPORTED BROWSERS & REQUIREMENTS.
DESKTOP BROWSER
Latest stable Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Safari is not yet part of the supported Alpha test matrix.
WEBGL 2 & HARDWARE ACCELERATION
JavaScript, cookies and graphics acceleration must be enabled. A stable connection is required for multiplayer.
1280 × 720 OR HIGHER
Desktop provides the complete experience. Tablet and mobile layouts remain under active Alpha optimisation.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Lower-powered devices may reduce visual effects. Firefox performs best with hardware acceleration enabled. Reconnect immediately if a multiplayer tab is suspended.
ALPHA FAQ · QUICK ANSWERSBEFORE YOU
BEFORE YOU
ENTER ORBIT.
Everything you need to know before joining the current Astrail Alpha.
READ THE FIELD MANUALIs Astrail a sci-fi alternative to Catan?+
Yes. Astrail is a free online alternative to Settlers of Catan. Players roll dice, collect resources, trade and build routes, stations and colonies on a galactic board. Astrail is not affiliated with or endorsed by Catan GmbH.
Is Astrail free?+
Yes. The current private Alpha is free to play. Future commercial plans have not been announced.
Do I need an account?+
Joining the waitlist only requires an email. An approved account is required to enter the private Alpha and keep progress.
Can I play solo and multiplayer?+
Approved Alpha Players can use guided training, play against synthetic fleets, join public matches and create private rooms.
Does Alpha progress carry over?+
Progress is attached to the approved account during Alpha. We will announce any reset before it happens.
When will my access open?+
Access is released in manageable waves. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee an immediate invitation.