Free to play?

Is Star Citizen free to play?

Q: Can I try Star Citizen before buying?

Yes, free during a Free Fly event . Create your account with STAR-JTV7-FXLR first so the 50,000 UEC bonus is ready if you decide to buy a Game Package.

Not always, but free during Free Fly events. Here is how to play for nothing.

By Domux. Updated 2026-10-18.

Short answer: not always, but yes during a Free Fly. Star Citizen is normally buy-once (from $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026)), but several times a year RSI runs Free Fly events where anyone can download and play it for free, no purchase. Sign up with STAR-JTV7-FXLR during one and the 50,000 UEC is waiting for whenever you upgrade.

"Is Star Citizen free?" is one of the most common questions new players ask, and the answer has a useful twist that saves you money.

The honest version

Normally: you need a Game Package to play, the cheapest is the Citizen Starter Pack at $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026). Buy-once, no subscription.
During a Free Fly: completely free. You download the RSI Launcher and fly a roster of ships in the live alpha at no cost for the event window. The IAE in November opens the entire fleet.
There is no permanent free-to-play tier outside those events, and no free demo otherwise.

How to play free, the smart way

Make your account now with the code
Sign up at RSI✓ Verified referral code · Today: 23 October 2026 with STAR-JTV7-FXLR, even before a Free Fly. Free, and the code attaches permanently.
Add the code at signup or within 24 hours of creating your account. That is not a deadline to buy. A free account can join public Free Fly events during their announced windows. Special event rewards have separate rules. RSI rules
Wait for the next Free Fly
Check the live Free Fly status. When one opens, download and play for free.
If you love it, buy in and claim 50,000 UEC
The standard referral reward is 50,000 account UEC for a new account registered with a valid code. Game access requires a Game Package outside public trials. The separate $40 USD fresh-money spending rule determines the referrer’s Recruitment Point, not a different signup bonus. Alpha aUEC crediting can be delayed when a code is added later. RSI referral conditions

So: free to try during events, cheap to own from $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026), and 50,000 UEC free on top with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR. Is a Free Fly on right now?

Sources and updates

By Domux. Public RSI profile, enlisted 3 January 2016.

Edited 18 October 2026. Source checks have their own timestamps.

Frequently asked questions

Is Star Citizen free?

Not permanently, but free during Free Fly events. Normally you need a Game Package (from $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026)). Several times a year, including the IAE in November, RSI lets anyone play free for the event window. Sign up with STAR-JTV7-FXLR so the 50,000 UEC is attached when you upgrade.