Is Genshin Impact Free?

Christopher H.

Christopher H.

December 5, 2025

Is Genshin Impact Free?

Yes, Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game. You can download it and enjoy a huge open world, exciting combat, and a compelling story without spending any money at all. While there are optional in-game purchases, the core game experience is fully accessible for free.

What Does "Free-to-Play" Mean for Genshin Impact?

When a game is "free-to-play," it means you don't need to buy it upfront. Genshin Impact lets you explore its vast world of Teyvat, complete quests, fight enemies, and uncover its story without paying anything. The game makes its money through a system called "gacha," which involves a bit of luck to get new characters and weapons.

How Genshin Impact Makes Its Money

The main way Genshin Impact earns money is through its gacha system, often called "Wishes" or "Banners." Here's how it works:

Can You Enjoy Genshin Impact Without Spending Money?

Absolutely! Many players enjoy Genshin Impact completely for free. The game gives you a good amount of free characters to start with and through gameplay, you earn currency to get more.

I remember starting Genshin Impact and worrying I'd hit a wall if I didn't spend money. But I stuck with the free characters and the ones the game gave me early on. After a few weeks, I managed to save up enough Primogems from just playing and exploring to pull a new 5-star character that I really wanted. It felt so rewarding to get her without spending a dime, proving you really can build a strong team through consistent play.

You can finish all the main story content and even tackle harder challenges like the Spiral Abyss with a well-built free-to-play team. It might take a bit more time and planning to build your characters and teams, but it's totally doable.

What You Might Spend Money On (But Don't Have To)

Most players who spend money in Genshin Impact do so for these reasons:

I've also seen friends get really excited about a new character skin that came out. One of them, who usually never spends on games, bought a fancy new outfit for their favorite character. It didn't make their character stronger, but they loved how it looked and felt it added to their personal experience of the game. It just goes to show that some purchases are purely for fun and personalization.

Tips for Free-to-Play Players

If you're planning to play Genshin Impact for free, here are some tips:

In conclusion, Genshin Impact is completely free to download and play, offering a rich and expansive adventure without any mandatory costs. While there are optional purchases, they are not needed to enjoy or complete the game.

If you're looking to enhance your Genshin Impact experience with in-app purchases like new characters or skins, you can earn App Store or Google Play gift cards by playing free games on Playstorm. Visit Playstorm today to start earning towards your next in-game upgrade!

Christopher H.

Christopher H.

Author

Hi, I’m Christopher. I’ve always been fascinated by how games are made and the technology behind them. My background in software development gives me a different way of looking at gameplay, design, and the choices developers make. At Playstorm, I write about trends in the gaming industry, thoughtful game design, and how innovation continues to shape the way we play. I enjoy breaking things down and finding the details that make a good game great.

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