The long-running Star Trek franchise has seen many captains over the years. Whenever a new TV show comes along, so too does a commanding figure to lead the mission. Each one has strengths and weaknesses, but many fill the uniform admirably and do their part to fulfill their mission of intergalactic friendship and exploration.

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The captains in recent Star Trek shows lead based on emotion rather than logic, making numerous bad decisions as a result. The Star Trek shows all feature admirable officers who boldly led both their crew and the audiences into the final frontier. Further, they did so with intelligence and professionalism. These are truly the best that Starfleet has to offer.

Updated July 13, 2022 by Kristy Ambrose: The Star Trek universe continues to expand, with several new shows for fans to discover as we boldly go where no one has gone before. That means more heroic captains to add to our list of the best leaders, mentors, and ranking officers. Whether it's the swagger of Kirk, the diplomatic superpowers of Picard, or the brave determination of Janeway, everyone has a different take on who is the best Star Trek captain.

10 Kathryn Janeway, Voyager

Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager

From the outset of Voyager, Janeway has a tougher task of achieving unity on her ship. Not all the crew members signed up for some noble mission and many belonged to an outlaw faction known as the Maquis. These are disgruntled colonists fed up with the Federation's failure to protect them. They now find themselves stranded in the far reaches of unknown space with a Starfleet crew, forcing these enemies to work together.

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She has easily the toughest exterior of all the captains. Her no-nonsense attitude permeates the whole ship. She does her job to the best of her ability, and she fully expects everyone else to do the same. That practicality helps in the balancing act, putting personal differences on the back burner.

Sadly, this causes her to come off as inaccessible at points. Such authoritative leadership undermines the cooperative messages of Star Trek. On the other hand, it never progresses to the point of tyranny, as that would be a total thematic betrayal.

9 Gabriel Lorca, Discovery

Gabriel_Lorca Star Trek Discovery

Not exactly one of the nicest captains fans have ever seen, but one of the most interesting. He was cold, calculating, and totally unapologetic. Captain Gabriel Lorca was tasked with working under the radar for Starfleet on the super-secret USS Discovery missions, but the biggest secret of all is that he was from the mirror universe; it wasn't the original Lorca at all.

Captain Lorca's real goal was to find a way back to the mirror universe so he could go home, and the assumption always seems to have been that his counterpart died during the transfer between universes. At least this is what Admiral Cornwall seemed to believe; they were old friends, and she was the first to figure out his real identity and intentions.

8 Jonathan Archer, Enterprise

Archer in Star Trek: Enterprise

The Enterprise prequel show focuses on humanity's early days of space exploration. As such, Archer embodies the homestyle charm of those classic astronauts. He has a laid-back warmth that puts his crew at ease, further emphasized by his tremendous support for their abilities.

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The downside to Archer's everyman approach is that he doesn't carry the authority of other captains. At times, he seems less like a leader and more like a friend. One would like to serve in his crew, but might not quite feel as secure under his command during stressful situations.

7 Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation

Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Throughout The Next Generation, this eloquent gentleman fulfills the same exploratory mission as Kirk and Pike, but he couldn't be more different. Picard approaches every situation in a measured and calculated way. He certainly takes risks when needed, but he prefers to play it safe. This aids in both combat and diplomatic relations, though not so much in interpersonal relations.

Picard maintains his authoritative attitude 24/7. He doesn't socialize with his crew like other captains. Because of this, he can come off as cold and detached. However, this aids in his impartial and informed image. One is always assured that he knows what he's doing and that he'll remain utterly unbiased in resolving a conflict.

6 Captain Hikaru Sulu, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Sulu drinks tea on the deck of the Excelsior Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country

A ship is only as good as her captain, and the Excelsior didn't make much of an impression when it debuted in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. A few years later, however, with Captain Sulu at the helm, she was a force to be reckoned with.

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Most viewers recognize Hikaru Sulu from various Star Trek properties, but this movie was the first time he had appeared as the captain of a Starship. Although Sulu, his crew, and the Excelsior act as supporting characters in the movie, Kirk's mission would have failed without their help.

5 Nog, Deep Space Nine

Nog in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Technically, Nog is still a subordinate officer by the end of Deep Space Nine, but audiences have more than enough information to assume he'll be a great captain. This plucky kid resolves to be the first Ferengi in Starfleet. Throughout the show, Nog learns to put those individual talents to work for the greater good. His teachings have more perspective than most other captains since he grows up during times of peace and war, showing the best and worst of the galaxy.

The disciplined Nog at the end of the show is radically different from the petty punk in the pilot episode. He not only demonstrates immense responsibility as an officer, but a future episode shows that he indeed captains his ship. With this position, though, he's still willing to help his friends and others in need without a second thought. This transformation shows Nog's dedication to his vocation, befitting of the best Star Trek heroes.

4 Christopher Pike, Star Trek: The Original Series

Pike in Star Trek: The Original Series, Discovery, and the 2009 film

Heading the Enterprise before Kirk, this captain boasts many of the same strengths as his successor. He's got similar confidence and courage along with obvious boons for deep space journeys. Unfortunately, he's not quite as effective in thinking on his feet. He tends to get frustrated when things don't go according to plan.

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This speaks to a larger quality, namely that he's somewhat short-tempered. Pike is a just captain, albeit on the sterner side. That said, he knows his limitations and trusts his crew to offset them. He knows which people to call on and when. In the end, it ensures he still gets the job done. There is wisdom in humility.

3 Benjamin Sisko, Deep Space Nine

Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Assigned to Deep Space Nine, Sisko's duties are different in that he leads during a time of war. He has to be tougher. Not only must he fight in battles and perform dirty deeds many would balk at, but he must also take others' pain on his shoulders. Amidst unimaginable loss, everyone looks to him for guidance. Sisko is a single father, so he's no stranger to such guidance.

Speaking of which, the serialized storytelling lets viewers know more about old Ben beyond the captain's chair. He loves to cook, attend baseball games, and embark on old building projects and mini-adventures for the fun of it. These interests, combined with regularly delving into the moral gray area, make for an inspirational captain who's simultaneously the most human.

2 Philippa Georgiou, Discovery

Philippa_Georgiou_Discovery_Promo_Image

Just to clarify, this is the Captain who was killed in the first episode of Discovery, not her mirror universe counterpart that replaces her later, Empress Philippa Georgiou Augustus Iaponius Centarius. The viewer gets to learn more about Captain Philippa Georgiou's past in flashbacks and memories, mostly from Michael Bernam's point of view, and her career was a distinguished one that made her many powerful and influential friends.

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Philippa Georgiou became captain of the USS Shenzhou just before Michael Berman joined the crew. Georgiou was personal friends with Sarek, which is why she took Berman on as part of the crew after he requested it.

1 James T. Kirk, Star Trek: The Original Series

Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series and Into Darkness

Whether played by William Shatner or Chris Pine, Jim Kirk remains the quintessential captain. His history as a brash hotshot lets him plunge into the unknown without a hint of fear. This usually puts him and his crew in danger, but his ingenuity and wits ensure he always find hope in a hopeless situation. He doesn't believe in a no-win scenario. This gives him a cowboy-esque charm. More importantly, it means he's exactly the confident captain one would want to follow into a new frontier.

Enriching Kirk's character are the movies, which see him age past his prime. Unlike the recent Picard show, it doesn't feel like a violation. Rather, fans see a faithful and familiar hero who's learned from his mistakes, carries a few regrets and comes to terms with his own mortality. Kirk's journey is easily the most complete of any Star Trek captain. It's no wonder why he remains a favorite for fans everywhere.

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