Let’s face it: I’ve been ejected more times than I’ve been able to finish my space oddity in Among Us. But one thing that never got vented out of the game since the big 2021 overhaul is its shiny little economy. Yep, I’m talking about Beans and Stars—and the good old Cosmicubes that promised to make my crewmate look less like a generic bean and more like a cosmic fashion icon. Even though we’re well into 2026, these mechanics are still the beating heart of the game’s cosmetic world. But has anything really changed? Let’s pop open the airlock and see.
First off, a quick reality check: you don’t need a single Bean or Star to win a round as the impostor. You can still sabotage the reactor while wearing the default red suit and a permanent scowl. Both currencies are purely for dressing up—which, honestly, is 50% of the fun when you’re trying to convince your friends you’re definitely not the one who betrayed them with a well-timed asteroid. So why care about them in 2026? Because if you’re like me, you want your crewmate to look so trustworthy that no one suspects you have a knife hidden behind that adorable flower crown.
Beans: the currency you earn by actually playing
Beans are the bread and butter (or, well, bean and butter) of Among Us. You get them simply by playing matches, whether public or private. It’s basically the game’s way of saying, “Hey, you showed up, you got accused of being sus fourteen times, have a handful of legumes.” Even in 2026, this hasn’t changed. The beautiful thing is that Beans are still the great equalizer—you can grind for them, you can hoard them, and you can eventually spend them on free skins, hats, and visor customizations that make your impostor life slightly more entertaining.
But here’s a thought: have you ever wondered why they named them Beans? I mean, crewmates already have that pod-shaped, squishy aesthetic. So calling the currency Beans is either a stroke of self-aware genius or a subtle hint at cannibalism. Either way, I’m here for it.
Stars: where your wallet comes out of the vent
Now we reach the part that hasn’t changed in five years: Stars are the premium currency, and no, you can’t earn them by being the best crewmate on Skeld. Stars must be purchased with real money. Yes, in an era where some games let you earn premium currency by watching ads or completing surveys, Among Us stands firm with a simple message: “Support the devs or stay a delicious bean.” I respect the honesty.
To get Stars in 2026, you still open the in-game shop and navigate to the Stars tab. The pricing tiers are remarkably similar to what was introduced back in 2021, though minor adjustments may have happened as the game expanded to all platforms—yes, those long-promised PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S versions finally dropped and now we can be sus on basically every screen imaginable. But the principle remains: more Stars, more bling.
Why buy Stars? Because some of the coolest cosmetics and Cosmicubes are locked behind a Star-only gate. Want that snazzy pirate hat that literally does nothing to ward off accusations but makes you feel like a swashbuckling space-jellybean? Stars. Want a pet that follows you around and maybe trips the kill cooldown timer with its cuteness? Probably Stars. It’s a classic “pay to look cool” scheme, and I’m all for it because my gameplay doesn’t actually improve—just my self-esteem when I see myself on the cams.
Cosmicubes: the battle passes that time-traveled into 2026
Remember when Cosmicubes were the new, shiny thing back in the 2021 Roles update? They were basically Among Us’s take on a battle pass. You unlock them (some with Beans, many with Stars) and then complete specific tasks to earn rewards tier by tier. Five years later, they’re still going strong, though the art is way cooler now. The themes range from retro gaming to seasonal spooks, and yes, each one still requires you to, you know, actually play the game to unlock everything. No free cosmic lunch.
I particularly love how Cosmicubes mirror the psychology of “I already spent the Stars, now I must grind to justify my purchase.” Am I a sucker for digital hats? Absolutely. But so are the three friends I just voted out.
What about the old DLC packs?
Here’s a fun trip down memory lane. When Stars were first introduced, some of those Star-only bundles were previously sold as DLC packs on Steam. The developers were kind enough to let players who’d already bought those DLCs keep their content without double-dipping—those accounts were treated as having the bundle already purchased. Those old DLC packs are no longer available on the Steam store, so if you’re a relatively new player in 2026 who’s eyeing that Airship-themed skin set, you’re looking at a one-way trip to the Stars tab. It’s a little piece of Among Us history that still affects how we play dress-up today.
So, do I still need to invest real beans?
If you’re asking whether you can enjoy Among Us without spending a dime in 2026, the answer is a resounding yes. Beans-funded cosmetics and free Cosmicubes still let you express yourself without opening your wallet. But if you’re the kind of person who believes that your crewmate should shine brighter than the emergency meeting button, Stars are there for your grabbing. Just prepare to explain to your bank why there’s a charge for "digital star beans."
The game’s longevity has only added more bundles and Cosmicubes, meaning Star purchases are actually worth it if you enjoy supporting continuous updates (and who doesn’t love new roles?). At its core, Among Us still respects that the real fun comes from lying to your friends, not from buying your way to victory. But if a celebrity hat makes you feel better while you lie, who am I to judge?
Whether you’re grinding Beans in 2026 or throwing Stars at the screen like confetti, one thing is as true as ever: no amount of fancy cosmetics will save you when the crew catches you on MedBay Scan. 🚀