Telegram Stars: How to Buy, Get for Free, and Exchange in 2026
How to buy Telegram Stars on Android, iPhone, and in regions with payment restrictions. Buy Stars cheap, get free Stars, exchange gifts for Stars — complete guide.
Telegram Stars — the messenger's built-in currency that can be used to purchase digital goods, subscriptions, pay for bots, and Mini Apps. In this guide, we'll cover all the ways to get Stars in Telegram: from buying to earning them for free.
What Are Telegram Stars
Telegram Stars are a digital currency within the messenger. You can spend them on:
- Purchases in bots and Mini Apps — paying for goods, subscriptions, and services
- Gifts to other users — sending digital gifts
- Post reactions — paid reactions in channels
- Buying Telegram Premium — paying for your subscription with Stars
Stars in Telegram work as a universal internal currency that unifies all the platform's payment mechanisms.
How to Buy Telegram Stars
Buying Stars in Telegram is available directly from the app. The process depends on your device and region.
How to Buy Telegram Stars on Android
- Open Telegram on your Android device
- Go to Settings → My Stars (or tap the Stars balance in any bot)
- Choose the number of Stars to buy
- Pay via Google Play — bank cards and Google Pay are supported
On Android, buying Stars works through the standard Google Play payment system. Prices are set in your local currency.
How to Buy Telegram Stars on iPhone
- Open Telegram on your iPhone or iPad
- Go to Settings → My Stars
- Select the Stars package you need
- Pay via Apple Pay or a linked card in the App Store
Buying Stars on iPhone is similar to Android, but payment goes through the Apple ecosystem. Keep in mind that Apple charges a commission, so prices on iOS may be slightly higher.
How to Buy Stars in Regions with Payment Restrictions
In some countries, Google Play or App Store payments may be unavailable. Here are alternative ways to buy Stars:
- Via Fragment — Telegram's official platform for buying Stars with cryptocurrency (TON)
- Via P2P exchange — buying from other users
- Via Telegram bots — some bots offer Stars purchases for USDT or local currencies
To buy via Fragment, you'll need a TON wallet (for example, Tonkeeper or Telegram's built-in wallet).
How to Buy Telegram Stars Cheap
Several ways to save on buying Stars:
| Method | Fee | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play / App Store | up to 30% | High |
| Fragment (TON) | ~5% | Medium |
| @TheOpenMoneyBot | 1.5% | High |
| Earn for free | 0% | Takes time |
Buy Stars via @TheOpenMoneyBot — Only 1.5% Fee
The cheapest way to buy Telegram Stars is through our bot @TheOpenMoneyBot. The fee is only 1.5% — many times lower than the App Store (up to 30%) or even Fragment.
How it works:
- Open @TheOpenMoneyBot in Telegram
- Select "Buy Stars" and specify the amount you need
- Pay in TON or USDT (TON network)
- Stars are credited to your account instantly
Currently, the bot only accepts payments in TON and USDT TON. Support for other payment methods is planned.
Through the same bot, you can buy Telegram Premium with the same minimal fee of 1.5%. Read more in our guide to buying Premium.
The best deal — get Stars for free by earning them in The Open Earn.
Free Telegram Stars
There are several ways to get free Telegram Stars:
1. Earn Through The Open Earn
The Open Earn is an earning app within Telegram. Complete simple advertiser tasks (subscribe to channels, view posts, launch bots) and withdraw your earnings in Telegram Stars.
This is the most reliable way to get free Telegram Stars:
- No investment required — you earn by completing tasks
- Minimum withdrawal — from $1
- Instant Stars crediting
2. Receive as a Gift
Other users can send you Stars as a gift. If you have friends with a large number of Stars — ask them to share.
3. Giveaways and Promotions
Telegram channels and bots periodically run Stars giveaways among their subscribers. Follow channels related to the Telegram ecosystem.
How to Exchange Telegram Stars
Telegram Stars can be exchanged for real money or used within the platform.
How to Convert a Gift into Stars in Telegram
If you received a digital gift in Telegram, you can convert it into Stars:
- Open the received gift in the chat
- Tap "Convert to Stars"
- Confirm the exchange — Stars will be credited to your balance
Please note: not all gifts can be exchanged, and the conversion rate is set by Telegram.
Exchanging Stars for Money
If you own a bot or channel, Stars earned through the Stars API can be withdrawn via Fragment in TON. Regular users can exchange Stars for gifts and purchases within the platform.
Telegram Stars: What Are They For
To sum up — Telegram Stars are used for:
- Payments in bots — buying goods and services in Telegram bots and Mini Apps
- Subscriptions — paying for premium channels and bot subscriptions
- Gifts — sending and receiving digital gifts
- Reactions — paid reactions on channel posts
- Premium — buying or renewing Telegram Premium
Conclusion
Telegram Stars are a versatile in-app currency with many uses. You can buy Stars through the app on Android or iPhone, via Fragment with cryptocurrency, or in restricted regions — through bots and P2P exchanges. The best deal is to earn free Stars through The Open Earn by completing simple tasks in Telegram.