PlayStation has three subscription tiers, each with different monthly costs and game libraries

PlayStation offers three separate subscription services: PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Premium. Each tier costs a different amount per month and gives you access to different games and features. The prices vary depending on whether you pay monthly, every three months, or annually, and they also differ between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

PlayStation Plus Essential is the base tier. It includes online multiplayer, cloud saves, and a rotating monthly selection of games you can read. PlayStation Plus Extra adds a larger library of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games you can play anytime. PlayStation Plus Premium is the highest tier and includes everything in Extra plus classic PlayStation games from older consoles, game trials that let you play new releases for a limited time before they launch, and cloud streaming on certain devices.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus Essential costs $11.99 per month, $32.99 every three months, or $119.99 per year on PlayStation 5, with slightly lower prices on PlayStation 4.
  • PlayStation Plus Extra costs $17.99 per month, $49.99 every three months, or $199.99 per year on PlayStation 5, and includes hundreds of games beyond what Essential offers.
  • PlayStation Plus Premium costs $23.99 per month, $69.99 every three months, or $239.99 per year on PlayStation 5, and adds classic games and game trials.
  • Prices are lower on PlayStation 4 than PlayStation 5 for all three tiers, though the difference is usually a few dollars per month.
  • You can change your subscription tier or cancel at any time, and your billing date depends on when you first subscribed.

PlayStation Plus Essential pricing by console and payment period

PlayStation Plus Essential is the entry-level subscription. On PlayStation 5, it costs $11.99 per month if you pay monthly, $32.99 if you pay for three months at once, or $119.99 if you pay for a full year upfront. On PlayStation 4, the monthly price is $9.99, the three-month price is $24.99, and the annual price is $99.99.

Essential gives you online multiplayer for games that require it, the ability to save your game progress to PlayStation's cloud servers, and access to two games per month that Sony adds to a rotating library. You can read these monthly games and keep them as long as your subscription is active. You also get exclusive discounts on games in the PlayStation Store and access to some free-to-play games.

PlayStation Plus Extra pricing and what's included

PlayStation Plus Extra costs $17.99 per month on PlayStation 5, $49.99 for three months, or $199.99 per year. On PlayStation 4, it costs $13.99 per month, $39.99 for three months, or $159.99 per year. Extra includes everything in Essential plus access to a library of several hundred PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games that you can read and play anytime.

The Extra game library changes over time as Sony adds and removes titles. The library typically includes popular first-party PlayStation games, third-party games, and indie titles. You do not own these games — you can play them only while your subscription is active. If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to all Extra games, though any games you purchased separately remain yours.

PlayStation Plus Premium pricing and classic game access

PlayStation Plus Premium costs $23.99 per month on PlayStation 5, $69.99 for three months, or $239.99 per year. On PlayStation 4, it costs $17.99 per month, $49.99 for three months, or $159.99 per year. Premium includes everything in Extra plus access to classic games from PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and PSP, game trials that let you play new releases for up to two hours before their official launch, and cloud streaming on compatible devices.

The classic games library includes titles like Ape Escape, Tekken 2, and Syphon Filter, though the full list varies by region. Cloud streaming lets you play certain games on your phone, tablet, or computer without downloading them to your console. Game trials are available for select new releases and typically begin a few days before the game launches.

How billing cycles work and when your renewal date is

Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month, quarter, or year depending on which payment period you chose. If you subscribe on the 15th of the month with a monthly plan, your next charge will be on the 15th of the following month. If you choose a three-month plan, you will be charged again three months later on the same date.

You can see your renewal date and current subscription tier by going to your Account Settings on your console or through the PlayStation website. You can change your subscription tier, downgrade to a lower tier, or cancel your subscription at any time. If you cancel before your renewal date, your subscription remains active until that date, and you will not be charged again.

Price differences between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5

PlayStation 4 subscriptions cost less than PlayStation 5 subscriptions across all three tiers. The difference is usually $2 to $4 per month depending on the tier. This pricing structure reflects that PlayStation 5 games are newer and the Extra and Premium libraries include more PlayStation 5 titles alongside PlayStation 4 games.

If you own both consoles, you can maintain separate subscriptions for each, or you can use the same subscription account on both. Your subscription tier applies to whichever console you are using, so if you have Premium on your account, you get Premium features on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Comparing the three tiers to decide which fits your needs

Essential is the minimum subscription needed for online multiplayer and cloud saves. It costs the least but gives you access only to the rotating monthly games and free-to-play titles. Choose Essential if you mostly play online multiplayer games you already own or plan to buy, or if you want cloud backup for your saves.

Extra adds hundreds of games to your library, making it useful if you want to explore different titles without buying them individually. The cost per game is lower when spread across a large library, though you lose access to all Extra games if you cancel. Choose Extra if you play a variety of games and want to reduce how much you spend on new purchases.

Premium is for players who want classic games and early access to new releases through trials. The classic library is smaller than Extra's modern library, so Premium is most useful if you have specific interest in older PlayStation games or want to try new releases before buying them. The annual price of Premium is close to the cost of buying two or three new games, so compare that against how many new releases you typically buy per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my subscription tier without losing my games or progress?

Yes. If you upgrade from Essential to Extra or Premium, your save data and any games you own separately stay with your account. If you downgrade from Extra to Essential, you keep your saves and owned games, but you lose access to the Extra game library. Your progress in those games is saved and will return if you upgrade back to Extra later.

Do I have to pay for a full year, or can I cancel after one month?

You can cancel after one month regardless of which payment period you chose. If you pay monthly, you can cancel before your next renewal date and your subscription ends then. If you pay for three months or a year upfront, canceling does not refund the amount you already paid, but your subscription remains active until the end of that period.

What happens to my games if my subscription expires?

Games you purchased separately remain yours and playable. Games from the Extra or Premium library become unplayable once your subscription ends. Your save data for those games is stored in the cloud and will return if you resubscribe to the same tier or higher. You cannot play or access Extra or Premium games during the time your subscription is inactive.

Are there any discounts if I pay for a full year instead of monthly?

Yes. Paying annually costs less per month than paying monthly. For example, PlayStation Plus Essential costs $11.99 per month if you pay monthly, but $119.99 per year works out to about $10 per month. The savings increase with higher tiers, so Premium is cheapest when paid annually.

Can I use the same subscription on multiple consoles?

Yes. You can sign in with your account on multiple PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 consoles, and your subscription tier applies to all of them. However, only one console can be your "primary console" for sharing games with other users on that system. Check your Account Settings to manage which console is set as primary.