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What are GitHub stars?
GitHub stars are like bookmarks or likes that people give to a project on GitHub to show interest.
- Category GitHub & code
- Also called star count, GitHub star
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
GitHub stars, explained simply
A star is one click on a repo. It saves the project to your list and adds one to its count.
A high star count shows many people were interested. It doesn't prove the tool is good or safe.
Star counts can also be faked, so look at other signs too, like recent updates and clear docs.
For example, two tools might have similar stars, but one is kept up to date and the other isn't.
On ITG Now, our top GitHub repo lists mention stars as one signal, and we check for fake spikes before sharing a tool.
Related terms
GitHubGitHub TrendingFake GitHub starsRepoREADME
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Questions people ask about GitHub stars
Do GitHub stars cost money?
No. Starring a repo is free if you have a GitHub account.
Do more stars mean a tool is better?
Not always. Stars show attention, not quality, so read the README and check recent updates.
Can GitHub stars be faked?
Yes. Some people buy fake stars, so sudden jumps are worth a second look.