What You Pay for a Final Fantasy XIV Subscription
Final Fantasy XIV requires a monthly subscription to play. The game offers three subscription tiers, each with different character limits and housing access. You pay monthly through the Mog Station, which is Square Enix's account management portal, and your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it.
The three tiers are Starter, Standard, and Complete. Starter is the cheapest option and lets you create one character per world. Standard costs more but allows multiple characters and access to Free Company housing (player-run guilds). Complete adds personal housing on top of everything Standard includes. All three tiers give you access to the full game content — the difference is how many characters you can make and whether you can own a house.
You can also buy game time cards from retailers if you prefer not to use a credit card on your account. These cards work the same way as a subscription but don't auto-renew; you enter the code when your current subscription ends.
Key Takeaways
- Final Fantasy XIV has three subscription tiers: Starter (one character), Standard (multiple characters), and Complete (multiple characters plus personal housing).
- Your subscription renews automatically each month through the Mog Station unless you manually cancel it.
- You can pay with a credit card or debit card, or buy game time cards from retailers and enter the code on your account.
- The free trial lets you play up to level 60 with some restrictions, so you can test the game before paying for a subscription.
How to Set Up Your Subscription on Mog Station
To start a subscription, log into the Mog Station with your Square Enix account. If you don't have an account yet, you'll create one during registration. Once you're logged in, go to the "Subscription" section and choose which tier you want.
You'll enter your payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Square Enix processes the payment when ready, and your subscription becomes active right away. You can then log into the game and start playing. Your subscription will renew on the same date each month unless you cancel it beforehand.
If you're using a game time card instead, you don't enter payment information. Instead, you go to "Mog Station" → "Redeem Code" and enter the 20-character code from the back of the card. The time is added to your account, and your subscription starts when your current one ends (or when ready if you don't have an active subscription).
What Happens If You Cancel or Let Your Subscription Lapse
You can cancel your subscription anytime through the Mog Station. Go to "Subscription" and select "Cancel Subscription." Your access ends on the date your current billing period ends — you don't lose access when ready. After that date, you can't log in, but your characters and items stay on the server.
If you want to play again later, you can reactivate your subscription through the same Mog Station page. Your characters will be exactly where you left them. There's no penalty for taking a break, and you don't lose anything by canceling.
If your payment method fails and your subscription lapses without you canceling, you have a grace period (usually 30 days) before your characters are deleted. Square Enix sends email warnings during this time. You can update your payment method and reactivate to keep your characters.
The Free Trial and When You Need to Subscribe
Final Fantasy XIV offers a free trial that doesn't require a subscription. You can play through the base game and the first expansion (Heavensward) up to level 60, with some restrictions. You can't join Free Companies, use the market board to sell items, or send tells to other players. The trial is a good way to see if you like the game before paying.
Once you reach level 60 or want to access the newer expansions (Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail), you need to buy the game and start a subscription. You can't stay on the free trial indefinitely — it's meant to let you experience the game, not play it forever for free.
Comparing the Three Subscription Tiers
| Tier | Characters Per World | Free Company Housing | Personal Housing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 | No | No |
| Standard | 4 | Yes | No |
| Complete | 8 | Yes | Yes |
Starter is the entry-level option if you want to play one character and don't care about housing. Standard is the middle ground — you can make multiple characters and your Free Company can own a house. Complete is for players who want personal housing or need to manage many characters across different worlds.
Most players start with Standard because it gives you room to experiment with different classes without paying extra. You can always upgrade to Complete later if you want a house of your own.
Payment Methods and Billing Cycles
Square Enix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal through the Mog Station. Your billing date is the same day each month — if you subscribe on the 15th, you'll be charged on the 15th of every month. You can change your payment method anytime by updating your account settings.
Game time cards are sold at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop. They come in 30-day and 60-day options. When you redeem a card, the time is added to your account and starts when your current subscription ends. If you don't have an active subscription, it starts when ready.
If you want to switch from auto-renewal to game time cards, cancel your subscription through the Mog Station first. Your access will end on your next billing date. Then you can buy a card and redeem it when you're ready to play again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Final Fantasy XIV without a subscription?
Yes, through the free trial. You can play the base game and Heavensward expansion up to level 60 with some restrictions on social features and the market board. Once you reach level 60 or want to access newer content, you need to buy the game and start a subscription.
What happens to my character if I cancel my subscription?
Your character stays on the server. You can't log in while your subscription is inactive, but your character, items, and progress are saved. If you reactivate your subscription later, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Can I upgrade from Starter to Standard or Complete?
Yes. Log into the Mog Station, go to "Subscription," and select the tier you want. You'll pay the difference for the remainder of your current billing period, and the upgrade takes effect when ready.
Do I need to buy the expansions separately if I have a subscription?
Yes. Your subscription gives you access to play, but you need to buy each expansion (Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, Dawntrail) separately. The Complete Edition includes the base game and all current expansions, which is cheaper than buying them one at a time.
What if my payment fails?
Square Enix will try to charge your payment method again over several days. If it continues to fail, your subscription lapses and you can't log in. You have about 30 days to update your payment method and reactivate before your character is deleted. Check your email for warnings from Square Enix during this time.