The short answer is Yes.

Indeed, you can name a star for free. Several websites claim to offer this option. But as with most things in life, "free" often comes with hidden costs.

However, we all understand that no service can be free, at least because someone needs to run the page. Think about it: even platforms like Facebook and YouTube aren’t truly free. You pay with your attention by seeing endless ads. 

This brings us to two important questions:

If you've never named a star before, it’s natural to wonder what exactly comes with a free option, so here are a few examples:

• Are you planning to dedicate a star as a gift? If so, you’d probably expect something visually appealing to present to someone, right?

• And wouldn’t you also want to be able to find that star in the sky? Otherwise, what’s the point?

Now, this question is the key. Many services charge for star naming, so why would some offer it for free? The difference between free and paid services is usually about quality and value. Chances are, you already suspect the answer: you get what you pay for.

Let us explore these questions a bit closer and find out the following:

• What you actually get with free star naming;

• Where and how to name a star for free;

• The difference between free and paid star naming;

• Whether naming a star for free is really worth it.

There are three main things we think you should know about free star naming services:

The registration certificate will look unappealing as if it were designed with outdated software and ample room for improvement. If you receive any additional materials, they’ll be equally unimpressive. To top it off, everything will be delivered digitally, making it far from a meaningful gift for someone special.

One of the websites offering free star naming is Staracle.com. They have even been featured on the well-known astronomy portal skyandtelescope.org. For an additional fee, you can upgrade the visual appearance to something slightly better. Take a look at what you get for free below.

Freenameastar.co.uk is another free star naming service. They mention that you can get a different certificate design for an extra fee, but when you navigate to the "change" section, they only offer to buy more stars for an additional fee. So the only version of the cerificate they provide is this:

If you're satisfied with these options and feel they’ll make a suitable gift, then great - you’ve found your free solution.

However, if you’re looking for something more refined - like a beautifully designed certificate and other documents, access to a star-finding app to locate your star, a gift folder, a frame for your certificate, or other special gift enhancements - you won’t find that with free star-naming services. Now, let’s explore more things that are related to free star-naming services.

Most likely, you will get coordinates like RA 2h 41m 39s, Dec. +89° 15′ 51″, or similar. You might wonder what you can do with it and how to find the star. The only option is to go to Google Sky software, enter these coordinates (if you know how), and get a view like the one below.

Unfortunately, free services do not provide a mobile app that will help you find a star. This is understandable, as developing an app requires a lot of financial investments, which free services cannot afford. That's about it. You get a fixed and blurry view of the sky and the name of a star on top of it. It means:

• You need to determine whether your named star is visible in your area.

• You must figure out how to find your star in the night sky.

• You have no tools to help you find the star unless you have a telescope.

• You might get a star that is not bright enough to be visible from your location.

As we've discussed, you get what you pay for - or, in this case, what you don’t pay for. It’s no surprise that free star naming services come with limitations. After all, why would someone offer a premium product for free?

Even these "free" services have costs: they need to build and maintain their websites, pay staff, and more. So, in reality, you'll often find yourself paying for various upgrades once you want more than the bare minimum. Let’s break down what that looks like:

Let’s break down what that looks like:

• Want physical delivery? You’ll have to pay for that.

• Prefer a nicer certificate design? That’ll cost you, even if the upgrade isn’t much better.

• Want a star map to locate your star? That’s extra.

• Need additional handouts or materials? Get ready to pay.

In the end, you receive only the bare minimum for free, and any customization or enhancement will incur additional charges. This naturally leads us to the next section, which explores how paid star naming services differ and what you get for your money.

You’ve probably come across star-naming services that charge a fee and others that offer to name a star for free. So, what exactly do you get with a paid service that makes it worth the cost? And what added value do these services provide over the free options?

One of the biggest advantages of paid star-naming services is the thoughtfully designed gift package. These packages typically include a well-designed certificate, a detailed star map, and a gift folder—all ready to be presented to someone special. Some packages even come with extras like a certificate frame and other enhancements that make the gift even more memorable.

Learn more about what’s included in a Name a Star gift by visiting the International Star Registry Page.

When you pay for star naming services, many providers offer tools to help you locate your star in the night sky. This might include interactive software or mobile apps that enhance your stargazing experience. Here is a video below that represents how the labelstars.com mobile star finder app works.

Important! Ensure that the paid service you choose provides more than just static, blurry images from Google Sky. For a reliable and enjoyable star-finding experience, consult the Where to Buy a Star: An Honest Overview article to choose the best provider.

• Naming a star doesn't have to be expensive. Prices can start as low as $30.00, and discounts are often available during holiday sales.

• For such a price, you receive good value, including tools to find your star and a quality gift package.

• Free star naming services often have hidden fees for additional features, making the cost difference between free and paid services tiny. With paid services, you receive a superior product and experience.

For detailed pricing information, check out the How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Star? A Shopper’s Guide article.

We’ve explored what you get with free star naming services versus paid ones. While the price difference is not significant, the quality and value of the product you receive can be substantial.

Consider whether the free options meet your expectations for a meaningful gift or if investing a little more will provide a better experience for someone special.

• Free Star Naming: Services like Staracle.com or Freenameastar.co.uk offer star naming at no cost, but you’ll receive a poorly designed certificate, no gift package, and no tools to locate your star. Minor changes often come with additional fees.

• Paid Star Naming: For a fee, you get a beautifully designed gift package and tools to find your star in the night sky. Prices are affordable, and the value is high.

• When you opt for a paid star naming service, you're paying for a thoughtfully crafted product that includes a beautifully designed gift package and useful tools for locating your star. This is similar to choosing a high-quality, handcrafted watch: you’re paying for the attention to detail, the premium materials, and the overall experience, which reflects the dedication and expertise behind the product.

• Best Option: For a meaningful gift, paid services are preferable. They provide a quality product and a better overall experience so you can receive a good product that you will be happy to gift.

• Refund Policy: Most paid services offer a refund policy for physical orders, ensuring peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions

Can you name a star after someone for free?

Yes, it is possible to name a star for free. However, the product you receive will be quite basic. Typically, you will get a plain digital certificate, and there will be no physical gift package or tools to locate your star in the sky.

How do you get a star named after someone for free?

You can use services like Staracle.com or other free star naming websites. Keep in mind that with these services, you will not receive a gift package or tools to find your star. The offering is generally limited to a digital certificate.

Is it worth naming a star for free?

If you are looking to give a star as a meaningful gift, a free service may not be the best choice. Free star naming often lacks physical items and tools to locate the star, which can diminish the gift's value. While it might be suitable for a lighthearted gesture or a joke, for a more memorable and substantial gift, consider a paid service that provides a well-designed package and additional features.

Still have questions?

Contact us!