Is Final Fantasy XIV free to play?

Lauren Bergin
ffxiv endwalker reaper fighting

Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most popular MMO titles available at the moment but is the game free to play? Here’s everything you need to know about how Final Fantasy XIV and the world of Eorzea are made available to players.

After a pretty rocky start, Square Enix’s MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV Online, has managed to navigate its way out of choppy waters and into the hearts of fans across the globe.

With the release of Buried Memory, players both old and new are hitting the game’s streets, such as  Ul’dah, Gridania, and Limsa Lominsa to combat a new (and old!) emerging enemy – but new players may be wondering whether or not FFXIV is free to play.

Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know to take your first steps on the plains of Eorzea.


Contents


ffxiv final fantasy xiv online ul'dah
The sandstone streets of Eorzea’s desert jewel, Ul’dah, truly take your breath away.

Is FFXIV free to play?

In short, no, FFXIV is not free to play. In a similar vein to rivals title World of Warcraft, or the Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy XIV relies on a subscription-based service.

Even if you buy a physical copy of the base game, you will need to pay monthly to continue your adventure – even if you choose to play the game solo.

However, the game does offer a free trial that is quite extensive, allowing players to try out the game without paying the subscription fee.

FFXIV Free Trial

Final Fantasy XIV offers an extensive free trial that allows players to try out the game before paying. The free trial has no restriction on playtime and extends to the second expansion of Stormblood. There are a few restrictions with the free trial, such as not being able to trade or join free companies, but is an excellent option for those who are unsure about joining the game.

How to add a Final Fantasy XIV subscription

In order to subscribe to the game, you’ll need to visit the Mogstation, Square Enix’s dedicated website. From here, however, things begin to get a little bit difficult.

To sub to FFXIV:

  1. Select “Your Account” from the top menu (see image below).
  2. Scroll down to “Service Account Status“.
  3. Select “Add Subscription“.
  4. .From here, choose what subscription you want between “Standard” and “Entry”.
    • Entry subs are perfect for new players as they are cheaper, but limit you to only one character.
  5. Choose how much time you want to buy (30 days, 90 days, or 180 days).
  6. Select your payment method.
  7. Voilà! Your sub will be added to your account.
ffxiv mogstation subscription management
Turns out that giving Square Enix your money is pretty complex…

FFXIV subscription costs

As we mentioned before, you can only buy subscriptions in allotments of days. Purchasing more days will give you a slight discount than if you chose to buy 30 days over and over again.

The current monthly cost of FFXIV subscriptions are:

Subscription (days) Cost ($) Cost (£)
30 (Entry) 10.99 7.69
30 12.99 8.99
90 11.99 8.39
180 10.99 7.69

Remember, you’ll also need to buy the base game and various expansions, but the good news is you can buy the Complete Edition at a significant discount.

Of course, these prices fluctuate wildly and are often subject to discounts on the various storefronts. Therefore, we’d advise you to check the price on whichever platform you’d like to play FFXIV on.

Once you’ve bought your sub, you may run into some issues concerning the elusive “one-time passwords,” but don’t worry, we’ve got a full rundown of the password system here to save you throwing a controller at your monitor.


So, hopefully, that answers any questions about whether FFXIV is free to play. Looking to become the greatest Warrior of Light in all of Final Fantasy? Then be sure to check out our Final Fantasy XIV guides:

How to access FFXIV Online | How to level up fast in FFXIV Online | How to unlock Dancer | How to unlock the Red Mage |  Eureka GuideGlamour Guide | Hairstyles guide | Is FFXIV cross-platform? 

About The Author

Lauren was formerly Dexerto's Features Editor and resident Diablo Sorceress. With two Master's degrees under her belt and a lot more Steam achievements, she specializes in all things Blizzard and Riot Games, with some Lost Ark and FFXIV on the side.