What you pay for a Final Fantasy XIV subscription

Final Fantasy XIV requires a paid subscription to play after the free trial ends. Square Enix, the game's publisher, offers three subscription tiers: Starter, Standard, and Complete. Each tier costs a different amount per month and includes different numbers of retainers (storage helpers), housing options, and other features. You can also buy a one-time purchase called a Starter Edition if you want to own the base game outright, though you still need a subscription to play.

The subscription renews automatically each month unless you cancel it. You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days without losing your character or progress, which is useful if you want to take a break without paying. When you return, you resume where you left off.

Key Takeaways

  • Final Fantasy XIV has three subscription tiers (Starter, Standard, Complete), each with different monthly costs and features like retainer slots and housing permissions.
  • The free trial lets you play through the base game and the first expansion up to level 60 without paying, but with restrictions on gil (in-game currency) and social features.
  • You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days without losing your character, and resume whenever you want.
  • Subscriptions renew automatically each month, and you can cancel anytime through the Mog Station account management site.
  • The subscription covers access to all expansions released so far once you purchase the base game; no separate expansion fees explore after that.

The three subscription tiers and what each includes

The Starter tier is the lowest-cost option and includes one retainer, access to Free Company housing (but not personal housing), and the ability to join a Free Company (the game's guild system). You can have one character per data center on this tier.

The Standard tier is the middle option and includes two retainers, the ability to own a personal house, and all the same social features as Starter. You can have up to eight characters per data center.

The Complete tier is the highest tier and includes four retainers, personal housing, and all other features. You can have up to forty characters per data center, which is useful if you want to try different jobs or roles without deleting characters.

Retainers are important because they give you extra storage space and can be sent on ventures to gather items or gil while you play. The difference in retainer count between tiers affects how much inventory space you effectively have access to.

Free trial limits and when you need to subscribe

The free trial includes the entire base game (A Realm Reborn) and the first expansion (Heavensward) up to level 60. You can play indefinitely on the free trial as long as you follow the restrictions. The trial does not expire based on time — it expires when you reach the level or story caps, or when you choose to purchase the game.

Free trial accounts cannot own a Free Company, trade with other players, use the market board (the in-game auction house), or send gil to other players. You also cannot create a Free Company or join one, which limits your access to group content and social features. These restrictions are designed to prevent fraud and gold-selling abuse.

Once you purchase the base game (the Starter Edition), you must choose a subscription tier to continue playing. You cannot play without an active subscription after you buy the game, even if you only want to play the free trial content.

How to manage your subscription through Mog Station

You manage your Final Fantasy XIV subscription through the Mog Station, which is Square Enix's account management website. You log in with your Square Enix account and can view your current subscription tier, change your tier, pause your subscription, or cancel it entirely.

To change your tier, you log into Mog Station, go to the subscription management section, and select a new tier. The change takes effect on your next billing date. If you want to downgrade (for example, from Complete to Standard), the change happens at the next renewal, not when ready.

To pause your subscription, you go to the same section and select the pause option. You can pause for up to 90 days. During a pause, your character and house remain safe, and you do not pay. When the pause ends, your subscription resumes automatically unless you cancel it instead.

Subscription costs and billing cycles

Subscription costs vary by region and payment method. In North America, monthly costs range from roughly $13 to $15 for Starter, $15 to $17 for Standard, and $18 to $20 for Complete, though exact amounts depend on whether you pay monthly, every three months, or every six months. Paying for longer periods usually costs less per month than paying month-to-month.

You can also pay with a one-time purchase called a Crysta, which is Square Enix's in-game currency that you buy with real money and then use to pay for subscription time. This method does not auto-renew and gives you more control over when your subscription ends.

Billing happens on the same day each month that you first subscribed. If you subscribed on the 15th, you are billed on the 15th of each month. If you change your subscription tier mid-cycle, you are not charged again until your next renewal date.

Expansions and what the subscription covers

The subscription covers access to all expansions that have been released: Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail. You do not pay extra for expansions once you own the base game and have an active subscription. New expansions are included automatically when they release.

However, you must purchase the base game (Starter Edition) separately before you can access any paid content. The free trial gives you access to the base game and Heavensward, but once you buy the Starter Edition, you gain access to all other expansions with your subscription.

If you let your subscription lapse and then return later, you do not lose access to expansions you have already played. Your character and progress remain tied to your account, and you can resume where you left off once you resubscribe.

What happens if you cancel or let your subscription lapse

If you cancel your subscription or let it run out, your character does not disappear. Your character data is stored on Square Enix's servers indefinitely. You can resubscribe at any time and resume playing with the same character, gear, and progress intact.

While your subscription is inactive, you cannot log in or play. You also cannot access your Free Company or housing if you own one. If you own a personal house and do not log in for 45 days, the house enters a demolition timer, and after 30 more days of inactivity, the house is removed and the plot becomes available for other players. Free Company housing has a similar timer.

If you want to keep your house while taking a break, you can pause your subscription instead of canceling it. During a pause, your house is protected and does not enter demolition status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Final Fantasy XIV without a subscription?

Yes, through the free trial, which includes the base game and first expansion up to level 60 with no time limit. However, the trial has restrictions on trading, the market board, and Free Company access. Once you purchase the base game, you must have an active subscription to play.

What is the difference between pausing and canceling my subscription?

Pausing stops your billing for up to 90 days while keeping your character, house, and progress safe. Canceling ends your subscription when ready, but your character data remains on the servers and you can resubscribe later. If you own a house and cancel, it enters demolition status after 45 days of inactivity.

Do I have to pay for expansions separately?

No. Once you own the base game and have an active subscription, all expansions are included. New expansions are added automatically when they release, with no extra charge beyond your monthly subscription.

Can I change my subscription tier mid-month?

Yes, you can change your tier anytime through Mog Station. The change takes effect on your next billing date, not when ready. You are not charged again until that renewal date.

What happens to my house if I do not log in for a while?

If you own a personal house and do not log in for 45 days, the house enters a 30-day demolition timer. After that, the house is removed and the plot opens for other players. Pausing your subscription protects your house from demolition, but canceling does not.