How Much Does Star Citizen Cost in 2025?

Star Citizen remains in alpha development in 2025, yet continues to draw significant investment from its player base. From base starter packs to high-end spaceship pledges, pricing varies widely. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how much Star Citizen costs in 2025, including typical package prices, ship upgrades, in‑game currency options, and trading platforms like Oronst.

Table of Contents

• 1. Base Game Cost: Starter Packages
• 2. Typical Ship Pledge Prices
• 3. Upgrading and In‑Game Purchases
• 4. Secondary Market & Oronst Trading
• 5. Monthly Budget Estimate
• 6. Summary Table
• 7. References

1. Base Game Cost: Starter Packages

The cheapest way to enter Star Citizen is through a starter game package, which includes game access plus a basic entry-level ship. As of 2025:

• The Aurora MR or Mustang Alpha Starter Pack costs approximately $45 USD (before tax) .
• During promotional events (e.g. “Warbond” sales), starter packs may be discounted to around $40 USD

You can only play if you purchase a package that includes both game access and a ship—or later upgrade a standalone ship purchase with a game license.

2. Typical Ship Pledge Prices

Star Citizen ships are sold in varying price tiers, from small personal craft to large ships priced in the hundreds or thousands of dollars:

• Common starter ships like the Greycat 100i, Aurora, and Mustang start around $50–$60 USD .
• Mid-range ships such as Freelancer MIS, Avenger Titan, and Reliant Kore cost around $120–$1100 USD depending on variant and sales
• High-end ships like the 600i, Carrack, or Starliner cost between $400–$900 USD or more during limited events .

During limited-time promotions, these prices may fluctuate significantly.

3. Upgrading and In‑Game Purchases

If you’ve pledged only game access or an existing ship, you can later upgrade to a more expensive ship by paying just the price difference—commonly known as “melt and upgrade.” Upgrades are priced in USD but function similarly to store credit.

In-game currency (aUEC) can also purchase many ships or upgrades once the game is in play, though rare limited ships may require pledge store access .

4. Secondary Market & Oronst Trading

Third-party platforms like Oronst facilitate purchasing rare or high-demand ships with Lifetime Insurance (LTI):

• Offers secure, escrow-backed transactions with real-time inventory tracking and fast delivery.
• Products include standalone LTI ships like Starlancer MAX LTI, Freelancer MIS LTI, and Reliant Kore LTI, alongside referral credit products like Star Citizen QUEC and Referral Points.
• Prices vary but generally reflect pledge-store MSRP or premium on high-demand models.

5. Monthly Budget Estimate

Your actual cost depends on how deep you dive. A sample budget breakdown:

• Entry-level user: $45–$60 Starter Pack for basic access.
• Casual upgrader: Additional $60–$200 for ship upgrades or new ships.
• Mid-tier backer: $200–$500 for larger or insurance ships (e.g. Freelancer, Titan).
• High-tier enthusiast: $500–$1000+ for high-end ships, LTI variants, and collectibles.

Many players incrementally fund their accounts over months or years, with lifetime pledges reaching into the thousands for dedicated collectors.

6. Summary Table

7. References

• Reddit discussion: Aurora starter pack costs
• Star Citizen Tools: List of ship prices (April 2025)
• Star Citizen Wiki: Ship purchasing overview
• PC Gamer: community reactions to pricing in 2025