Starburst vs Book of Dead: Which Slot Is Better?

Short answer: Nearly the same RTP and opposite characters. Starburst is low volatility with re-spins; Book of Dead is high volatility with one decisive feature.

Side by side

Detail	Starburst	Book of Dead
Developer	NetEnt	Play'n GO
Default RTP	96.09%	96.21%
Volatility	Low	High
Layout	5 reels, 3 rows	5 reels, 3 rows
Ways to win	10 paylines, paying both ways	10 paylines
Maximum win	500x	5,000x
Top prize at £5	£2,500	£25,000

Features compared

Aspect	Starburst	Book of Dead
Trigger and reward	The Starburst wild appears on the three middle reels only. It expands to fill the reel, locks and gives one re-spin.	Three or more Books award 10 free spins.
What makes it pay	Another wild on the re-spin expands too, for up to three wild reels. That is the best a spin can do.	One ordinary symbol is chosen at random. When enough land, they expand to cover their reels and pay on every active line, adjacent or not.

What 100 spins cost

Stake	Starburst	Book of Dead
£0.1	£0.39	£0.38
£0.2	£0.78	£0.76
£1	£3.91	£3.79

The gap is £0.12 on every £100 staked, on average, over the long run.

How they feel

This pair is the clearest lesson in volatility. Twelve hundredths of a point separate their returns, yet a £20 session on each will feel nothing alike: one drifts, the other waits.

Which should you play?

Choose Starburst if

you want frequent small wins and a long session.

Choose Book of Dead if

you want a feature that can pay a large multiple.

Full reviews

StarburstNetEntRTP 96.09%Volatility LowMax win 500x

Book of DeadPlay'n GORTP 96.21%Volatility HighMax win 5,000x

Where to play

Ad 18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure

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Read the Casumo review Licence: Recro Limited, UKGC account 61549. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

More slot match-ups: Big Bass Bonanza vs Gates of Olympus, Starburst vs Big Bass Bonanza and Book of Dead vs Fishin' Frenzy.

Slot figures are developers' published defaults, each confirmed against two sources; your casino may run a lower RTP. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Starburst or Book of Dead?

Starburst if you want frequent small wins and a long session; Book of Dead if you want a feature that can pay a large multiple.

Which has the higher RTP?

Book of Dead, at 96.21% by default.

Which has the bigger maximum win?

Book of Dead.

Can I play both at one casino?

Where both studios are in the lobby; search to confirm.