Earned Star credits versus reciprocal visibility
GitHubStarExchange.com describes connecting GitHub and earning one credit for a verified outbound Star, with an inbound Star spending one credit. GithubStarMate's free exchange uses reciprocal participation: Stars given must exceed Stars received for repository visibility. Choose based on whether you prefer an earned-credit Star loop or GithubStarMate's participation-based visibility workflow.
Keep paid promotion separate from free participation
GithubStarMate's purchased promotion credits are a separate paid option; they are not the earned credits described by GitHubStarExchange.com. Each completed eligible Star, Watch, or Fork uses one promotion credit. You can participate in free exchange first, then decide whether to buy a non-expiring credit package. Compare what an individual credit pays for before comparing package sizes.
Switch projects or add active capacity
GitHubStarExchange.com binds one active repository and archives the previous repository when you replace it. GithubStarMate includes one active repository seat and lets you purchase additional seats. A maintainer promoting one project at a time may be comfortable with replacement; someone managing several active projects should consider how additional capacity fits their workflow and budget.
Decide whether you want more than Stars
GithubStarMate offers Star, Watch, and Fork participation. If you enable several action types for paid promotion, your balance funds that mix rather than a fixed number of Stars. Decide which actions matter to your repository before selecting a package. Delivery depends on eligible completed actions and has no fixed deadline, so avoid planning a launch around an assumed completion date.