What You Pay for a Final Fantasy XIV Subscription

Final Fantasy XIV requires a paid subscription to play after the free trial ends. The game offers three subscription tiers, each priced differently and allowing access to different numbers of characters per server. You pay monthly, and the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it.

The three tiers are Starter, Standard, and Complete. Starter costs the least but limits you to one character per server. Standard and Complete both allow multiple characters and include access to all expansions, but Complete adds the most recent expansion content immediately upon release. The exact monthly cost varies by region and currency — North America, Europe, and Japan each have their own pricing.

You do not need to buy the game separately if you own the base game or any expansion. The subscription covers access to all content you have purchased. If you own Endwalker (the current expansion as of 2024), your subscription gives you access to everything up to that point.

Key Takeaways

  • Final Fantasy XIV has three subscription tiers: Starter (one character per server), Standard (multiple characters), and Complete (multiple characters plus early access to new expansions).
  • Subscriptions renew automatically each month, and you can cancel anytime through the Mog Station account portal without penalty.
  • The free trial lets you play up to level 60 with restrictions on gil (in-game currency) and social features, so you can test the game before paying.
  • Your subscription covers all expansions you have purchased; you do not pay separately for expansion content once you own it.
  • If your subscription lapses, your characters remain on the server but you cannot log in until you resubscribe.

How to Start and Cancel Your Subscription

To begin a subscription, you first need a Square Enix account and a copy of the base game (Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn). You can purchase the base game through Steam, the PlayStation Store, or directly from Square Enix. Once you own the base game, you log into the Mog Station account portal and set up your subscription payment method.

Subscriptions are managed entirely through Mog Station, not through Steam or PlayStation. Even if you bought the game on Steam, you log into Mog Station to manage your subscription. You enter your payment information once, and the subscription renews on the same date each month.

To cancel, log into Mog Station, go to your account settings, and select the option to suspend your subscription. You can do this at any time — there is no lock-in period or cancellation fee. Your characters stay on the server indefinitely, but you cannot log in until you resubscribe.

The Free Trial and When You Need to Subscribe

Final Fantasy XIV offers a free trial that includes the entire base game and the first expansion (Heavensward) up to level 60. You can play for as long as you want without paying, but the trial has restrictions: you cannot hold more than 300,000 gil, you cannot join a Free Company (guild), you cannot use the market board to buy or sell items, and you cannot send tells to other players unless they message you first.

The trial is real content — you can complete the main story, run dungeons, and experience most of what the game offers. Many players use the trial to decide whether they want to subscribe. Once you decide to continue past level 60 or want to remove the trial restrictions, you purchase a subscription.

If you reach level 60 on the trial, you can still play but cannot advance further until you subscribe. Your trial character converts to a full account character once you buy a subscription; you do not lose progress or have to start over.

Subscription Tiers and What Each Includes

Starter is the lowest-cost option. It allows one character per server and covers access to the base game and all expansions you own. You can still run dungeons, raids, and complete the story. The main limitation is the character limit — if you want alts (alternate characters), you need a higher tier.

Standard costs more than Starter and allows up to eight characters per server. You get access to all the same content as Starter. Most players choose Standard because eight characters per server is enough for most playstyles.

Complete is the highest tier and allows up to eight characters per server, the same as Standard. The difference is that Complete includes early access to new expansions — you can play new expansion content up to two weeks before it becomes available to Standard and Starter subscribers. If you do not care about being first to new content, Standard is sufficient.

Payment Methods and Billing Cycles

Square Enix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal for subscription payments. You can also use a Crysta balance, which is a prepaid account credit you buy through the Mog Station. Some regions also accept local payment methods like Paysafecard.

Subscriptions renew on the same day each month. If you subscribe on the 15th, your next charge is the 15th of the following month. If you want to avoid a charge, you must cancel before that date. Cancellation takes effect immediately — you lose access as soon as you confirm the cancellation, not at the end of your billing cycle.

If a payment fails, Square Enix usually sends a notice and gives you a few days to update your payment method. If you do not update it, your subscription lapses and you cannot log in. You can resubscribe anytime and your characters remain on the server.

What Happens If Your Subscription Lapses

If your subscription expires or you cancel it, you cannot log into the game. Your characters do not disappear — they stay on the server indefinitely. If you resubscribe later, your characters are exactly as you left them, with all gear, gil, and progress intact.

There is no penalty for letting your subscription lapse. You can take a break for a month, a year, or longer, and come back whenever you want. Your Free Company (guild) membership may change depending on the guild's rules, but your character data is safe.

If you want to keep your subscription active but take a break, you can cancel and resubscribe later. There is no "pause" feature — you either have an active subscription or you do not.

Expansions and Additional Purchases

Your subscription covers access to expansions you have purchased, but it does not automatically include new expansions. When a new expansion releases, you must buy it separately. As of 2024, the current expansion is Endwalker. A new expansion (Dawntrail) was released in 2023, and future expansions will require separate purchases.

Expansions are one-time purchases, not subscriptions. Once you buy an expansion, your subscription gives you permanent access to all its content. You do not pay again for that expansion.

The game also sells cosmetic items (skins, mounts, minions) through the Mog Station store, but these are optional and not required to play. Your subscription alone is enough to experience all story and gameplay content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Final Fantasy XIV without a subscription?

Yes, through the free trial. The trial includes the base game and the first expansion up to level 60 with some restrictions on gil, social features, and market access. You can play indefinitely on the trial without paying.

What happens to my character if I cancel my subscription?

Your character stays on the server permanently. You cannot log in while your subscription is inactive, but your character, gear, and progress are safe. When you resubscribe, everything is exactly as you left it.

Do I have to buy expansions separately or does my subscription include them?

You must buy expansions separately as one-time purchases. Your subscription then gives you permanent access to any expansion you own. The subscription itself does not include new expansions automatically.

Can I change subscription tiers anytime?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your tier anytime through Mog Station. If you downgrade from Standard to Starter, you keep only one character per server active; the others are hidden until you upgrade again.

Is there a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Subscriptions are non-refundable once charged. If you cancel, you lose access immediately but are not charged again. Plan your cancellation date around your billing cycle if you want to avoid an unexpected charge.