PlayStation has three subscription tiers, each with different games and features
PlayStation offers three separate subscription services: PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Premium. Essential is the base tier and gives you online multiplayer, monthly games, and cloud storage. Extra adds a library of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games. Premium includes everything in Extra plus classic PlayStation games, game trials, and cloud streaming. You pick one tier and pay monthly or annually — you cannot combine them.
Each tier is a separate subscription, so you do not stack them. If you want the game library in Extra, you pay for Extra, not Essential plus Extra. The price and what you get depends on which PlayStation console you own and whether you pay month-to-month or upfront for a year.
Key Takeaways
- PlayStation Plus Essential covers online multiplayer and gives you two to three free games each month, starting at around $11 per month or $60 per year on PS5.
- PlayStation Plus Extra adds a rotating library of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games for roughly $18 per month or $120 per year.
- PlayStation Plus Premium includes everything in Extra plus classic games from PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP, plus game trials and cloud streaming, costing around $18 per month or $120 per year on top of Extra.
- You can change tiers or cancel at any time, and your subscription covers one account on your console, though other users on that console can play online if you set it as your primary system.
- Prices vary by region and change periodically, so check your PlayStation Store to see the current cost in your area.
PlayStation Plus Essential: Online play and monthly games
Essential is the entry-level subscription and the only tier you need for online multiplayer. It includes two to three games each month that you can read and keep as long as your subscription is active. You also get cloud storage for your save files, exclusive discounts on games in the PlayStation Store, and early access to sales.
When your subscription ends, you lose access to the monthly games you claimed, but any games you own outright (ones you bought separately) stay playable. The monthly games rotate, so if you miss a month, that game is gone — you cannot go back and claim it later. You can see what games are coming next month in the PlayStation Store.
PlayStation Plus Extra: Hundreds of games included
Extra includes everything in Essential plus a library of several hundred PS4 and PS5 games. You can read and play any game in the library as long as your subscription is active. The library changes — games are added and removed on a schedule that PlayStation publishes. You do not own these games; they are part of the subscription, so if you cancel, you lose access.
The library is not every PlayStation game ever made. New releases and popular titles often stay off the library for months or years after launch. If a game you want is not in the library, you can still buy it separately. Many players use Extra to try games before deciding whether to buy them outright.
PlayStation Plus Premium: Classic games and game trials
Premium includes everything in Extra plus a catalog of classic games from PlayStation 1, 2, 3, and PSP. These older games run through emulation on your PS5. You also get game trials, which let you play new releases for a limited time (usually a few hours) before they officially launch, so you can decide whether to buy. Premium also includes cloud streaming, which lets you play PS5 games on a compatible device without downloading them.
Premium is the most expensive tier and is mainly for players who want access to older PlayStation games or want to try new releases before buying. If you only play current games and do not care about classics, Extra or Essential will likely meet your needs.
How to choose a tier and manage your subscription
Start by asking what you actually need. If you only play games you own and do not need online multiplayer, you do not need any subscription. If you play online multiplayer games, you need at least Essential. If you want to explore games without buying them individually, Extra is worth considering. Premium makes sense if you play classic PlayStation games or want to try new releases before buying.
You can change tiers at any time through your PlayStation account settings or the PlayStation Store. If you upgrade mid-month, you pay a prorated amount for the remainder of the month, then the new tier starts fresh. If you downgrade, your subscription continues at the lower tier when your current billing period ends. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want a break without losing your account.
Sharing your subscription on a console
Your subscription covers your account on your console. Other users on that same console can play online multiplayer and access the game library if you set that console as your primary system. This means a household can share one subscription across multiple user accounts on the same PS5 or PS4.
If you want to use your subscription on a different console, you can sign in with your account on that console, but only your account gets the benefits. Other users on that second console cannot use your subscription unless you set it as your primary system, which you can only do on one console at a time. This is useful for households but not for sharing with friends on different networks.
Prices and billing
PlayStation Plus prices vary by region and by console generation. On PS5, Essential costs roughly $11 per month or $60 per year. Extra costs around $18 per month or $120 per year. Premium costs around $18 per month or $120 per year on top of Extra, though some regions bundle Extra and Premium together at a higher price. On PS4, prices may differ slightly.
You can pay month-to-month or buy a year upfront. Annual plans usually cost less per month than paying monthly. You can also find discount codes and sales, especially around holidays. PlayStation sometimes offers free trials of higher tiers, usually for seven days, so you can test Extra or Premium before committing to the full price.
What happens when your subscription ends
When your subscription expires, you lose access to online multiplayer, the monthly games, the game library, and any other subscription benefits. Games you own outright stay playable. Your save files stay in cloud storage for up to six months, so if you resubscribe, you can read them again. If you do not resubscribe within six months, your cloud saves are deleted.
You can renew your subscription at any time by going to your account settings or the PlayStation Store. If you set up automatic renewal, your subscription renews on the same day each month or year without you having to do anything. You can turn off automatic renewal at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my PlayStation Plus subscription on multiple consoles?
Yes, you can sign in to your account on multiple consoles. However, only your account gets the subscription benefits on each console. Other users on those consoles can only use your subscription if you set that console as your primary system — and you can only have one primary console at a time.
Do I lose my games if I cancel my subscription?
Games you bought separately stay playable forever. Games from the Extra or Premium library become unplayable when your subscription ends. Monthly games from Essential also become unplayable. Your save files stay in cloud storage for six months, so you can read them again if you resubscribe.
Can I upgrade from Essential to Extra mid-month?
Yes. You pay a prorated amount for the remaining days of your current billing period, then your new tier starts. The cost difference is calculated automatically when you upgrade through the PlayStation Store.
What is a game trial, and how long can I play?
A game trial is a limited-time version of a new game included with Premium. You can usually play for a few hours before the trial expires. If you buy the full game during or after the trial, your progress carries over. Trials are available for select new releases, not all games.
Do I need PlayStation Plus to play single-player games?
No. You only need PlayStation Plus for online multiplayer, cloud saves, and the monthly games or game libraries. Single-player games work without any subscription. You do need a free PlayStation Network account to play anything, but that is different from a paid subscription.