What you pay for a Final Fantasy XIV subscription
Final Fantasy XIV requires a paid subscription to play beyond the free trial. Square Enix, the game's publisher, offers three subscription tiers: Starter, Standard, and Complete. Each tier unlocks different amounts of in-game content, character slots, and housing options. The monthly cost varies depending on which tier you choose and how long you commit — paying for a full year costs less per month than paying month-to-month.
You cannot play the full game without a subscription. The free trial lets you reach level 60 and complete the base game's story, but it locks you out of expansions, limits your gil (in-game currency) to 300,000, and restricts social features like Free Company (guild) creation. Once you decide to progress further, you choose a tier and payment method.
Key Takeaways
- Starter costs the least but limits you to one character per server and no house ownership, while Standard and Complete add more character slots and housing access.
- Monthly payment costs more per month than paying for 90 days or a full year upfront, so longer commitments save money.
- You can change tiers or cancel anytime, and your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month unless you turn off auto-renewal.
- Square Enix charges your payment method on your renewal date, and the subscription covers all expansions once you own them — you do not pay separately for each expansion.
- The subscription is tied to your Square Enix account, not to a specific character or server, so one subscription covers all your characters across all worlds.
Starter tier: one character, no house
Starter is the entry-level subscription. It costs the least but comes with the most restrictions. You can create only one character per server, which means if you want to play on multiple servers, you still need only one subscription — but you can have only one character per world. You cannot own a house or apartment, though you can decorate a Free Company room if your guild owns a house.
Starter includes access to all expansions you have purchased. If you buy the complete edition (which includes all expansions), Starter still works — you just cannot own personal housing. Starter is often enough for players who want to experience the story and raid with one main character but do not need multiple alts.
Standard tier: multiple characters and apartment ownership
Standard costs more than Starter but less than Complete. It lets you create up to eight characters per server instead of one. You can also own an apartment in the residential districts, which gives you personal housing space to decorate. You still cannot own a private house — only apartments and Free Company rooms.
Standard is the middle ground for players who want to level multiple characters or role-play different personas without paying the highest tier. Many players stay on Standard indefinitely because apartments provide enough housing for casual play.
Complete tier: full house ownership and maximum characters
Complete is the highest tier. It costs more than Standard but gives you the most flexibility. You can own a private house in addition to an apartment, create up to forty characters per server, and access all other subscription features. If you are serious about housing or want to maintain many alts, Complete is necessary.
Complete also includes priority login during server congestion, though this benefit is rarely noticeable outside of expansion launches. The main draw is house ownership and the character slot count.
How much each tier costs and payment options
Square Enix offers three payment periods: monthly, 90-day, and annual. Monthly is the most expensive per month but requires the smallest upfront commitment. The 90-day option costs less per month than monthly but more than annual. Annual costs the least per month but requires you to pay for the entire year upfront.
Prices vary by region and currency. In North America, Starter typically ranges from $12.99 to $14.99 per month depending on payment period, Standard from $14.99 to $17.99, and Complete from $17.99 to $20.99. These are approximate figures and change based on Square Enix's pricing updates and regional differences. Check the Mog Station (Square Enix's account management site) for your exact region's current prices before you commit.
You can pay by credit card, debit card, or through third-party services like PayPal or Steam (if you registered through Steam). Square Enix charges your payment method automatically on your renewal date. If your payment fails, you have a grace period before your subscription lapses, but you cannot log in once it expires.
How to start, pause, or cancel your subscription
To start a subscription, log into the Mog Station with your Square Enix account, go to the subscription section, and choose your tier and payment period. Your subscription begins when ready, and you can log into the game right away. If you already have an active subscription, you can change tiers anytime — the change takes effect on your next renewal date.
To pause your subscription temporarily, log into the Mog Station and turn off auto-renewal. Your subscription will end on the current renewal date, and you will not be charged again. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in and selecting a new tier. Your characters and house (if you own one) remain on the server for up to 90 days after your subscription ends, though you cannot log in to play.
To cancel permanently, turn off auto-renewal in the Mog Station. You will not be charged after your current subscription period ends. If you want to delete your characters, you must do that separately through the character management section before your subscription fully expires.
What happens to your characters and house when your subscription lapses
When your subscription ends, you cannot log in, but your characters do not disappear when ready. They remain on the server for 90 days. If you reactivate your subscription within that window, you log back in as if nothing happened — your gear, gil, and house (if you own one) are exactly as you left them.
After 90 days of inactivity, Square Enix may delete your characters and free up your house for other players. If you own a house and your subscription lapses, the house enters a demolition timer. Reactivating your subscription before the timer expires saves your house. If the timer runs out, the house is demolished and sold to the next player who bids on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play with friends if we have different subscription tiers?
Yes. Subscription tier only affects what you can own and how many characters you can create — it does not lock you out of dungeons, raids, or social content with other players. A Starter subscriber can run endgame raids with a Complete subscriber without any restrictions.
Do I have to pay for expansions separately, or does the subscription cover them?
You buy expansions separately from Square Enix, but once you own them, your subscription covers access. The subscription itself does not include expansions — you need to purchase the complete edition or individual expansion packs. After that, your monthly subscription lets you play all the content you have bought.
What happens if my payment method fails on renewal day?
Square Enix usually gives you a grace period of a few days to update your payment method before your subscription lapses. If you do not update it in time, your subscription ends and you cannot log in. You can reactivate anytime by updating your payment method and choosing a new subscription tier in the Mog Station.
Can I have one subscription cover multiple accounts?
No. Each Square Enix account needs its own subscription. If you have two separate accounts, you need two separate subscriptions. However, one subscription covers all characters on a single account across all servers.
Is there a free trial subscription tier?
No. The free trial is separate from subscriptions — it is a time-limited trial with no payment required. Once your trial ends or you reach the trial's level cap, you must buy a subscription to continue playing. You cannot downgrade a paid subscription to the free trial.