FFXIV requires a paid subscription to play after the free trial ends

Final Fantasy XIV is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) run by Square Enix. Once you finish the free trial — which lets you play through the base game and first expansion with some restrictions — you must pay a monthly subscription to continue. The subscription gives you access to all current and future expansions, the ability to own a house or apartment, and the full feature set of the game.

Square Enix offers three subscription tiers, each with different pricing and character limits. You choose which tier fits your play style and budget. The subscription renews automatically each month unless you cancel it.

Key Takeaways

  • FFXIV has three subscription tiers: Starter ($12.99/month), Standard ($14.99/month), and Complete ($17.99/month), with differences in character slots and retainer access.
  • All tiers include access to all expansions, raids, dungeons, and story content — the tier you choose does not lock you out of gameplay.
  • You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days without losing your character, house, or items.
  • The subscription renews automatically each month on the date you set up payment, and you can cancel anytime through the Mog Station account portal.

The three subscription tiers and what each includes

The Starter tier costs $12.99 per month and lets you create one character per world and two retainers (NPCs who hold items and sell goods on the market board). This tier is designed for players who want to experience the story and content without needing multiple characters or extensive storage.

The Standard tier costs $14.99 per month and gives you three character slots per world and four retainers. Most players choose this tier because it allows you to try different classes and jobs without deleting a character, and the extra retainers provide more storage space for crafting materials and gear.

The Complete tier costs $17.99 per month and provides eight character slots per world and eight retainers. This tier is for players who want to level multiple jobs, role-play different characters, or maintain separate accounts for different purposes. The extra retainers are especially useful if you craft or trade heavily on the market board.

All three tiers include the same access to story, raids, dungeons, PvP, housing (if you can secure a plot), and all current and future expansions. The tier you choose does not gate any gameplay content — it only affects how many characters you can have and how much storage space you get.

How to set up and manage your subscription

You manage your FFXIV subscription through the Mog Station, Square Enix's account portal. When you first finish the free trial, the game prompts you to choose a subscription tier and enter payment information. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or through third-party services like PayPal or Amazon Pay, depending on your region.

Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month. You can change your tier, pause your subscription, or cancel at any time through Mog Station without penalty. If you pause your subscription for up to 90 days, your character, house, items, and progress remain intact — you simply cannot log in. After 90 days of inactivity, your house may be reclaimed by the game, though your character and items stay with you.

If you cancel your subscription, you can reactivate it later and return to your character exactly as you left it. There is no penalty for taking a break, and you do not lose anything by canceling.

Regional pricing and payment methods

The prices listed above are for North America. European players pay in euros, and Japanese players pay in yen. The exact amount varies by region and may change over time. You can see your region's current pricing on the Mog Station website before you commit to a subscription.

Payment methods vary by region. North American and European players can use credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Japanese players have additional options through local payment services. If your payment method fails, Square Enix sends email reminders before suspending your account, giving you time to update your payment information.

What happens if you do not renew or run out of payment methods

If your subscription lapses because payment failed or you did not renew, you cannot log into your character. However, your character, house, items, and progress do not disappear immediately. You have a grace period to reactivate your subscription and return to your account.

If your subscription remains inactive for an extended period (typically several months), your house may be reclaimed by the game and sold at auction, but your character and items remain yours. You can reactivate at any time and continue where you left off. Square Enix does not delete characters or items due to subscription lapse — only housing is at risk after prolonged inactivity.

Free trial limitations and when you need to subscribe

The free trial includes the entire base game and the first expansion (Heavensward), which is dozens of hours of story and content. However, the trial has restrictions: you cannot join a Free Company (guild), own a house or apartment, use the market board to sell items, or create a Free Company linkshell (chat channel). You also cannot earn more than 300,000 gil (in-game currency) at a time.

Once you reach the level cap or story cap on the free trial, or if you want to access housing, the market board, or guilds, you must subscribe. Many players spend 100+ hours on the free trial before deciding whether to pay for a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my subscription tier after I buy it?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your tier anytime through Mog Station. If you upgrade mid-month, you pay the difference. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at your next renewal date. Downgrading does not delete extra characters — they simply become inaccessible until you upgrade again.

Do I have to pay for expansions separately?

No. Your subscription includes all expansions, including future ones. You do not buy expansions as separate purchases. You only pay the monthly subscription fee.

What if I want to take a break from the game?

You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days through Mog Station. Your character, house, and items stay safe. After 90 days, your house may be reclaimed, but your character and inventory remain. You can reactivate anytime and return to your account.

Is there a discount if I pay for multiple months upfront?

Square Enix does not offer multi-month discounts. You pay the same monthly rate whether you renew monthly or set up automatic renewal. Some third-party retailers occasionally sell FFXIV time cards at a discount, but this is not official and availability varies by region.

Can I share a subscription with someone else?

No. Each subscription is tied to one account, and account sharing violates Square Enix's terms of service. Each player must have their own account and subscription.