Does Apple or Google take a cut of your Telegram Stars payout? Telegram’s current Bot Platform terms assign bot developers a reward value of $0.013 per Star. That figure is set separately from what a buyer paid to acquire Stars, so an app-store purchase price is not simply reduced by an app-store percentage to calculate the developer’s stated reward. The amount a buyer pays can vary by region and applicable fees, and the reward route has its own conditions.
How much does a Telegram Star pay out?
For developers using Telegram’s Bot Platform, the current Bot Platform Developer Terms of Service state that developers can receive an equivalent of $0.013 in rewards per Star. Telegram explicitly says this assigned reward value has no direct connection to the historical, current, or anticipated purchase cost of Stars in any particular region.
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That is a Telegram-assigned reward value, not a promise that every Star becomes an unconditional cash payment in every country. The terms describe rewards processed through Fragment, and note that Fragment may not be available to some users or in some countries. The exact figure is for Bot Platform developers; it should not be assumed to apply identically to every channel monetization feature or other way of earning Stars.
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Buyers acquire Stars through Apple or Google in-app purchases, or through PremiumBot where available, then spend them on digital goods and services in Telegram bots and mini apps. Telegram’s Stars payment guide says the acquisition cost can vary between users because of VAT and other applicable fees outside Telegram’s control.
#1 Best Overall
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
The buyer’s purchase price and the developer’s reward value are therefore separate parts of the system. Telegram assigns the Bot Platform reward value; the buyer’s local price is affected by the purchase route and applicable charges. Telegram’s developer terms do not describe the payout as the buyer’s purchase price minus a fixed Apple or Google percentage. This distinction does not mean developers have no fees, deductions, or tax obligations.
Telegram requires Stars for digital goods and services sold inside Telegram apps. Physical goods and services use third-party payment providers instead, as described in the official payment guide.
Rank #2
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Choose between Fragment rewards and Telegram Ads credit
Bot developers have two principal uses for Stars under Telegram’s current terms: seek rewards through Fragment or use Stars for Telegram Ads for that specific third-party app. They serve different purposes and have different assigned values.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Use | Telegram-assigned value | What it means | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragment reward | $0.013 in rewards per Star | A reward route, not an automatic cash balance held in a creator-owned account. | Reward processing is outsourced to Fragment, which may be unavailable to some users or in some countries. |
| Telegram Ads | $0.02 in advertising credit per Star | Credit for Telegram advertising, not cash. | The terms say this value may fluctuate; the credit is for Telegram Ads for the specific app. |
These figures come from Telegram’s Bot Platform Developer Terms of Service. A higher stated value for advertising credit does not make it a higher cash payout: it can only be used for its stated advertising purpose.
Rank #3
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
What can delay or reduce the usable balance?
Availability may take up to 21 days
Telegram says Stars received by a bot may not be available for advertising credits or rewards for up to 21 days. Treat a newly earned balance as pending until it becomes eligible under the terms.
Refunds and policy issues can lead to deductions
Telegram reserves the right to withhold or debit Stars in response to user refunds of in-app purchases, suspected abuse, or terms violations. For suggested posts, Telegram’s July 2025 announcement separately notes that Apple may issue buyer refunds within 21 days, potentially causing balance deductions. This example concerns suggested posts; it is not a universal schedule for every bot transaction.
Rank #4
- Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Condition: a.co/9V5i70m
- When you access your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Mastercard Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. - Mastercard Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Mastercard Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call Mastercard customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Fragment access depends on eligibility and location
Because reward processing is handled by Fragment, the reward route may not be available to every developer or in every country. Telegram’s terms do not establish universal access.
Applicable taxes and fees remain the developer’s responsibility
Telegram assigns developers responsibility for applicable taxes and fees on Bot Platform income, including Stars. The specific amount depends on the developer’s circumstances; the terms do not establish one universal net payout after tax.
Best Value
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
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Private-chat topics trigger a specific 15% fee
Telegram’s current bot developer terms state that enabling topics in private chats causes a non-refundable 15% fee on subsequent Stars purchases while the feature remains enabled. This applies to that configuration and is not a universal deduction on all bot or creator payouts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Stars are not a cash account with no expiry
Under Telegram’s developer terms, Stars in a bot’s balance are owned by Telegram and have no inherent value beyond Telegram’s good-faith commitment to provide advertising credits or rewards at Telegram-assigned values. Bot Stars expire after three years if they have not been used for advertising or rewards. Developers should therefore consider both the intended use and the terms governing the balance rather than treating Stars as cash held in their own account.
How to read Telegram’s older commission statements
In its June 30, 2024 announcement, Telegram said it took “practically no commission” from transactions in Stars, with taxes and payment-system fees applying. That was dated announcement language, not a guarantee that all current bot configurations and payout situations have no fees or deductions. The current developer terms include the specific private-chat topics fee, refund and policy-related debits, and developer tax responsibilities described above.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The same June 2024 announcement described withdrawing Stars as Toncoin through Fragment and promoted Stars-based Telegram Ads with a 30% discount. Those are claims from that dated announcement; they do not establish that Fragment is available everywhere or that the advertised discount is a current universal offer. Telegram’s current terms are the relevant source for the present assigned values and conditions.
Telegram’s June 6, 2024 launch announcement also reported that more than 400 million monthly users interacted with bots and mini apps and that Telegram had more than 900 million potential customers. Those are company-reported figures from the launch announcement, not current user counts or payout guarantees.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
