What PlayStation Plus is and who it's for

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service from Sony that gives you access to online multiplayer gaming, a library of games you can read and play, and other perks — but the specific games and features depend on which tier you pay for. You need an active subscription to play most online multiplayer games on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, even if you own the game outright.

The service comes in three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential is the base level and covers online multiplayer and a rotating monthly selection of games. Extra adds a larger game library. Premium adds older PlayStation games and cloud streaming. Each tier costs more per month, and you can cancel or change tiers at any time.

You do not need PlayStation Plus to watch streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube, to use the PlayStation Store, or to play single-player games. You only need it for online multiplayer and to claim the monthly free games.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus Essential is required to play online multiplayer on PS4 or PS5, and it includes two free games each month that you keep as long as your subscription is active.
  • Extra tier adds a catalog of several hundred games you can read and play at no additional cost beyond the subscription, but does not include the newest releases.
  • Premium tier adds access to classic PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games, plus cloud streaming so you can play games without downloading them.
  • Your subscription covers one PlayStation Network account, but anyone on your console can use the games and features if that account is set as the primary user.
  • Prices vary by region and change periodically, so check your PlayStation Store for current rates in your country.

PlayStation Plus Essential: the base tier for online play

Essential is the entry-level subscription. It costs the least and covers the features most players need: online multiplayer gaming and a small rotating library of free games each month. When you subscribe, you when ready get access to play online in games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Madden, and any other multiplayer title on your PS4 or PS5.

Every month, Sony adds two new games to your library at no extra cost. These games are yours to keep and play as long as your subscription remains active. If your subscription lapses, you lose access to those games until you renew. The games rotate monthly, so the selection changes constantly. You can browse upcoming games on the PlayStation Store before they arrive.

Essential also includes cloud storage for your game saves, so if your console breaks or you get a new one, your progress in games is not lost. You get a limited amount of storage — typically 100 GB — which is enough for most players but may fill up if you play many games with large save files.

PlayStation Plus Extra: a larger game library

Extra includes everything in Essential, plus access to a catalog of several hundred games you can read to your console and play anytime. The catalog changes regularly as Sony adds and removes titles, but it typically includes popular games from the past few years across many genres: action, sports, RPGs, puzzle games, and more.

The trade-off is that the newest releases are usually not in the Extra catalog right away. A game might arrive 6 to 12 months after its original release, depending on the publisher's agreement with Sony. If you want to play the latest games on day one, you would need to buy them separately or upgrade to Premium.

Extra does not include the monthly free games that come with Essential. Instead, you get permanent access to the larger catalog. Many players find this a better value if they play a wide variety of games and do not mind waiting a few months for new releases.

PlayStation Plus Premium: classic games and cloud streaming

Premium includes everything in Extra, plus two additional features: a library of classic games from PlayStation 1, 2, and 3, and the ability to stream games over the internet instead of downloading them. The classic games library includes well-known titles from those older systems, though not every game ever released for those platforms.

Cloud streaming lets you play games without downloading them to your console. Instead, the game runs on Sony's servers and streams to your screen, similar to how Netflix streams movies. This uses internet bandwidth and requires a stable, fast connection — typically 5 Mbps or higher for good performance. Streaming is useful if your console's storage is full or if you want to try a game before downloading it.

Premium also includes a trial period for newly released games. You can play certain new games for a limited time (usually a few hours) before deciding whether to buy them. This feature is not available on Essential or Extra.

How to subscribe and manage your tier

To subscribe, go to the PlayStation Store on your PS4 or PS5, find the PlayStation Plus section, and select the tier you want. You can also subscribe through the PlayStation website on a computer or phone. You will need a PlayStation Network account and a payment method on file — either a credit card, debit card, or PlayStation Store gift card.

Your subscription renews automatically each month or year, depending on which billing cycle you chose. You can change your billing cycle, pause your subscription, or cancel it at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, you keep access until the end of your current billing period, then lose access to the subscription features.

You can change tiers at any time. If you upgrade mid-month, you pay the difference between what you already paid and the cost of the new tier. If you downgrade, the change takes effect when your current billing period ends.

Sharing your subscription with others on your console

Your PlayStation Plus subscription is tied to your PlayStation Network account, but other people can use it if they play on the same console. To share, set your account as the primary user on that console. Anyone who plays on that console can then use your subscription features, including online multiplayer and the game library.

If someone else's account is set as primary on a different console, they can use your subscription on that console too. This is how many households share one subscription across multiple PlayStations. However, only your account can use the subscription on consoles where it is not set as primary.

Keep in mind that your subscription covers one account. If you want multiple accounts to have their own separate subscriptions, each account needs its own paid subscription.

What happens to your games when your subscription ends

The games you claim for free each month through Essential are only playable while your subscription is active. If you cancel or let your subscription lapse, you cannot play those games until you renew. Your save files remain on your console, so if you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off.

Games in the Extra or Premium catalogs work the same way: they are only playable while you subscribe. If you own a game outright — meaning you bought it separately, not through the subscription — you can play it anytime, with or without PlayStation Plus. The only exception is online multiplayer, which requires an active Essential subscription.

If you are unsure whether a game you own is included in your subscription or if you purchased it separately, check your library. Games you own show a different icon or label than subscription games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play single-player games?

No. You only need PlayStation Plus to play online multiplayer and to claim the monthly free games. Single-player games work without a subscription. Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube also work without PlayStation Plus.

Can I try a tier before committing to a full month?

Sony occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, but these are not always available and vary by region. Check the PlayStation Store to see if a trial is currently offered in your area. You can also subscribe for one month, try it, and cancel before the next billing cycle if you do not want to continue.

What if I share my console with someone else — do they need their own subscription?

No, if your account is set as primary on the console, anyone playing on that console can use your subscription features. Each person needs their own PlayStation Network account, but only your account needs the paid subscription.

Can I use cloud streaming on my phone or computer?

Cloud streaming through PlayStation Plus Premium works on some devices, but availability depends on your region and the specific device. Check the PlayStation website for a list of compatible phones, tablets, and computers in your country.

What is the difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?

PlayStation Now was a separate streaming service, but Sony merged it into PlayStation Plus Premium in 2022. If you had PlayStation Now, your subscription converted to Premium. There is no longer a separate PlayStation Now service.