Star Registry Comparison: The Starmint vs. ISR vs. OSR
Here is how The Starmint compares with two of the best-known star registries, so you can make an informed choice.
The Three Main Star Registries
This page compares The Starmint with the International Star Registry (ISR) and the Online Star Register (OSR). All three let you dedicate a real star and receive a certificate. What differs is how permanent the registration is, what the certificate includes, and what physical products are available. Prices and packages change, so check each registry's own site before you buy.
| Feature | The Starmint | ISR | OSR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $18 | See starregistry.com | See osr.org |
| Blockchain registration | ✅ Polygon blockchain | ❌ Private database | ❌ Private database |
| Verification | Public (polygonscan.com) | Company database only | Company database only |
| Certificate type | Digital + printable | Printed certificate (mailed) | Digital |
| Sky chart included | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (basic) | ✅ Yes |
| Framed print option | ✅ Yes (add-on) | ✅ Yes (add-on) | ✅ Yes (add-on) |
| Physical gift products | Framed prints, mugs, hoodies, coasters, cushions | Framed prints, books | Framed prints, mugs |
| Mobile app / star finder | Works with Stellarium (free) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (OSR Star Finder) |
| Permanent record | Yes (blockchain, unalterable) | As long as company exists | As long as company exists |
| Digital certificate delivery | In your account once registered | Mailed (days to weeks) | Immediate |
The Starmint
The Starmint records your registration on the Polygon blockchain — a permanent public ledger. That record cannot be altered or deleted by anyone, including us. Once your star is registered, you can open it from My Stars in your account and select View on Blockchain to see the record on polygonscan.com.
The case for The Starmint: If the permanence of the registration matters — if you want something that will be verifiable in 20 or 50 years, independent of whether any company is still in business — the blockchain registration is the essential differentiator. Neither ISR nor OSR offers it. You also choose your own star: by constellation, by zodiac sign, by the night sky over a location, or at random.
Starting price: $18. Printed keepsakes, including framed prints, are sold separately.
Best for: Anyone for whom the permanence of the record matters, gift-givers who want to explain the blockchain verification to the recipient, and customers who want a permanent public record for a memorial tribute.
The International Star Registry (ISR)
The International Star Registry has been operating since 1979 — the oldest name in star naming. ISR mails a printed certificate with the star name, coordinates, and a star chart. The registration is recorded in an ISR publication (a printed book) and in their private database.
The case for ISR: Brand recognition and longevity. ISR has been doing this since 1979, which gives it an established reputation. If the recipient cares about brand heritage and the physical certificate arriving by mail is part of the gift presentation, ISR is a recognized option.
Price: See starregistry.com for current packages. Framed prints and additional products are available as upgrades.
Limitation: The registration exists in ISR's private database and printed publications. There is no independent verification. The record is as permanent as the company.
Best for: Customers who want a mailed physical certificate and value the ISR brand's 40+ year track record.
The Online Star Register (OSR)
The Online Star Register has a large catalog and a mobile app (the OSR Star Finder) that lets you find your named star using the app's built-in sky map.
The case for OSR: The mobile app is OSR's main advantage. If a dedicated stargazing app that shows the named star is a priority — rather than using a free third-party app like Stellarium — OSR provides that natively.
Price: See osr.org for current packages. Additional products (framed prints, mugs) are available as add-ons.
Limitation: The registration is in OSR's private database. As with ISR, there is no independent verification, and the record is only as permanent as the company's continued operation.
Best for: Customers who want a native mobile app for finding their named star, and who are comfortable with the registration being a private database entry.
The Key Question: What Does "Permanent" Mean?
Every major star registry calls its registrations "permanent." What differs is what backs that claim.
ISR and OSR both maintain private databases on their own servers. If either company were to close, the database could be lost or become inaccessible. The printed book ISR issues is more durable — physical media — but finding a specific entry in it after the company closes is a practical challenge.
The Starmint's Polygon blockchain registration is different in kind, not just degree. The blockchain is a public, decentralized network maintained by thousands of independent nodes worldwide. No single company controls it. Your registration is permanently recorded in the ledger and can be viewed on polygonscan.com now and in 50 years, regardless of The Starmint's status.
For a memorial registration, or any registration where the long-term permanence of the record is important, the blockchain distinction matters.
What None of Them Are
None of these registries — The Starmint, ISR, or OSR — provide IAU-recognized scientific names. The International Astronomical Union assigns scientific star names for research purposes, and that process is closed to the public by design. No private registry anywhere in the world can offer an IAU name. This is true of all three registries equally, and it doesn't diminish the personal meaning of the registration.
Our Recommendation
If the reason for naming a star is a gift that lasts — a memorial, a milestone birthday, an anniversary — the blockchain registration is the differentiator that matters. Of the three, only The Starmint offers it, and registration is $18.
If you need a physical certificate arriving by mail and the ISR brand has specific meaning to the recipient, ISR is the established option.
If a dedicated mobile app for finding the star is essential, OSR provides that.