What the FFXIV subscription covers

Final Fantasy XIV requires a paid subscription to play on the main servers. The subscription gives you access to the game world, lets you create and play characters, and includes regular content updates. You pay monthly, and your access continues as long as your subscription is active.

There are three subscription tiers: Starter, Standard, and Premium. Each tier costs a different amount and lets you do different things in the game. The main differences are how many characters you can make, whether you can own a house or apartment, and access to certain social features.

Your subscription renews automatically each month unless you cancel it. You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days if you want to take a break without losing your characters or progress.

Key Takeaways

  • Starter is the cheapest tier and limits you to one character per server and no house ownership, but you can still do most of the game's content.
  • Standard costs more but lets you have multiple characters and own a house or apartment in the game world.
  • Premium is the highest tier and includes everything Standard offers plus priority login queues and extra retainer slots for storage.
  • Your subscription renews automatically each month, but you can cancel or pause it anytime through the Mog Station account portal.
  • New accounts get a 30-day free trial that includes the base game and the first expansion, with some restrictions on social features and gil (in-game currency) limits.

Starter tier: single character, no housing

Starter is the entry-level subscription. It costs the least and is designed for players who want to try the game or play casually. With Starter, you can create one character per server, which means you can have multiple characters if you play on different servers, but only one on each server.

Starter subscribers cannot own a house or apartment in the game. You also cannot create or join a Free Company (the game's guild system), though you can join linkshells, which are smaller social groups. You cannot use the market board to sell items, though you can buy from it. These restrictions are meant to prevent spam and fraud on the market.

You can still do dungeons, raids, crafting, gathering, and most other content. The main limitation is social and housing-related, not combat or progression.

Standard tier: multiple characters and housing

Standard is the middle tier and the most common choice. It costs more than Starter but less than Premium. With Standard, you can create up to eight characters per server, giving you much more flexibility if you want to try different classes or roles.

Standard subscribers can own a house or apartment in the game world. You can also create and join Free Companies, use the market board to buy and sell items, and access all social features. This tier removes most of the restrictions from Starter.

Standard also includes two retainers, which are NPCs that hold extra items for you. Each retainer gives you additional storage space beyond your character's inventory.

Premium tier: priority queues and extra storage

Premium is the highest subscription tier. It includes everything Standard offers plus two additional benefits: priority login during peak hours and extra retainer slots.

During busy times, the game sometimes has login queues. Premium subscribers get to skip ahead in those queues. You also get four retainers instead of two, doubling your extra storage space. This is useful if you craft, gather, or collect items heavily.

Premium costs more than Standard, so it is mainly for players who want the convenience of faster login and extra storage, or who want to support the game's development more directly.

How to set up and manage your subscription

You manage your FFXIV subscription through the Mog Station, which is Square Enix's account portal. You create a Square Enix account, link it to your game account, and then choose your subscription tier. You can pay monthly or buy a longer subscription period upfront, which usually costs less per month.

Payment methods vary by region. Most regions accept credit cards and PayPal. Some regions have additional options like mobile carrier billing. You enter your payment information once, and it renews automatically each month on the same date.

To cancel or change your subscription, log into the Mog Station, go to your account settings, and select the subscription management option. You can cancel when ready, and your access ends when your current billing period ends. You can also pause your subscription for up to 90 days if you want to take a break.

Free trial and what it includes

New players get a 30-day free trial that includes the base game and the first expansion, Heavensward. During the trial, you can play up to level 60 and experience a large portion of the story. The trial has some restrictions: you cannot own a house, join a Free Company, use the market board, or trade with other players.

The trial is a good way to see if you like the game before paying. When you decide to subscribe, your trial progress carries over to your paid account. You keep your character, inventory, and progress.

Subscription costs and billing periods

Subscription prices vary by region and currency. In the United States, Starter costs around $13 per month, Standard around $15 per month, and Premium around $18 per month. These are approximate figures and may change. You can also buy longer billing periods — three months or six months — which usually cost less per month than paying month-to-month.

The game also sells optional cosmetic items and battle pass-style content through the Mog Station, but these are separate from your subscription and not required to play. Your subscription covers access to the game and all story content; cosmetics are extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play FFXIV without a subscription?

No, you need an active subscription to play on the main servers. The free trial lets you play for 30 days, but after that you must subscribe. There is no permanent free-to-play option.

What happens to my character if I cancel my subscription?

Your character and all your progress are saved. When you resubscribe, your character is still there with everything you left behind. You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days without losing anything.

Can I change my subscription tier anytime?

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your tier anytime through the Mog Station. Changes take effect at your next billing date. If you downgrade from Standard to Starter, you keep your characters but lose access to features like housing and Free Company membership until you upgrade again.

Do I need to buy expansions separately from my subscription?

Yes, the subscription covers the base game and regular updates, but you must buy expansions separately. The free trial includes the first expansion, but newer expansions require a separate purchase. Once you own an expansion, your subscription gives you access to all its content.

Can I gift a subscription to someone else?

You cannot gift a subscription directly, but you can buy a game time card or expansion code from retailers and give that to someone. They redeem it on their own account through the Mog Station.