Final Fantasy XIV 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 need an active subscription to continue. The subscription is monthly, and the cost depends on which tier you choose and whether you pay monthly or commit to longer periods upfront.

Your subscription covers access to the game servers, all expansions released so far, and the ability to create and maintain your character. It does not include cosmetic items, battle passes, or in-game currency — those are separate purchases through the Mog Station, Square Enix's in-game store.

Key Takeaways

  • Final Fantasy XIV has three subscription tiers: Starter, Standard, and Complete, each with different character limits and housing access.
  • Monthly subscriptions range from roughly $13 to $15 depending on the tier, with discounts available if you pay for three or six months upfront.
  • The free trial includes the entire base game and first expansion but caps your level and restricts social features like linkshells and free companies.
  • You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days without losing your character, though you cannot log in during that time.
  • Subscription charges renew automatically on your billing date unless you cancel, and you can change tiers or payment frequency anytime.

The three subscription tiers and what each includes

Starter is the entry-level tier. It costs the least but limits you to one character per server and one character total across all servers. You cannot own a house or apartment, though you can own a room in a Free Company house if your guild buys one. You can join Free Companies (guilds), but you cannot create one. Starter is designed for players who want to experience the story without committing to housing or managing multiple characters.

Standard is the middle tier and the most common choice. It lets you create up to eight characters per server and up to 40 characters across all servers. You can own a house or apartment on your own, and you can create and lead a Free Company. Standard is where most players land because it removes the character and housing restrictions without the cost of the highest tier.

Complete is the highest tier. It includes everything in Standard plus the ability to own multiple houses (one per character, up to the character limit). It also includes a monthly stipend of Mog Station credits — roughly $10 worth — which you can spend on cosmetics, mounts, or other optional items. Complete makes sense if you want multiple houses or plan to buy cosmetics regularly, since the credit offsets some of that cost.

Monthly costs and payment options

Square Enix publishes prices in multiple currencies depending on your region. In the United States, Starter runs roughly $13 per month, Standard around $15, and Complete about $18. These are approximate because Square Enix adjusts pricing periodically and may charge different amounts in different regions.

You can pay month-to-month, or you can commit upfront to a three-month or six-month plan and receive a discount. A six-month commitment typically saves you 10 to 15 percent compared to paying monthly. You can change your tier or payment frequency anytime — if you switch mid-cycle, the system prorates the difference.

Subscriptions renew automatically on your billing date. You can cancel anytime through the Mog Station account page, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your paid time runs out.

What the free trial includes and its limits

The free trial lets you play through the entire base game (A Realm Reborn) and the first expansion (Heavensward) with no time limit. You can reach level 60 and experience the main story quest through Heavensward's ending. The trial is genuinely substantial — many players spend 100+ hours on it.

The trial does restrict some features. You cannot create a Free Company, join a linkshell (a cross-server chat channel), use the market board to buy or sell items, or send tells (private messages) to other players. You can still join a Free Company that someone else created, and you can participate in dungeons and raids with groups. Your character name is reserved, so when you convert to a paid account, you keep the same character.

Trial characters can own a Free Company house room if your guild buys a house, but you cannot own a house or apartment yourself. You can accumulate gil (in-game currency) and items with no limit, so you can prepare for paid play while still on the trial.

How to convert from trial to paid subscription

When you are ready to move past the trial, log into the Mog Station (the account management site), select your service account, and choose "Register." You will be asked to select a subscription tier and payment method. Square Enix accepts credit cards, PayPal, and in some regions other payment options. Your subscription begins immediately, and you can log in right away.

If you have already created a character on the trial, that character carries over to your paid account with no loss of progress. Your character name, level, items, and gil all remain exactly as they were. You do not need to create a new character or restart anything.

Pausing your subscription and what happens to your character

You can pause your subscription for up to 90 days through the Mog Station. During a pause, your character remains on the server and your items and gil stay in your possession, but you cannot log in. After 90 days, if you have not resumed your subscription, your character enters a dormant state.

Dormant characters are not deleted, but they are removed from the server roster. If you return and reactivate your subscription after more than 90 days, you can restore your character, though there may be a brief delay while the system processes the restoration. Your character data is preserved indefinitely — Square Enix does not delete accounts for inactivity.

Optional purchases and the Mog Station store

Your subscription covers access to the game and all expansions, but cosmetics, mounts, minions, and other optional items are sold separately on the Mog Station. These purchases use Mog Station credits, which you buy with real money. Prices vary, but a single cosmetic outfit typically costs $10 to $20 in credits.

The Complete tier subscription includes a monthly stipend of Mog Station credits (roughly $10 worth), which reduces the out-of-pocket cost if you buy cosmetics regularly. Starter and Standard subscribers do not receive a stipend, so any cosmetic purchase is an additional expense beyond the subscription fee.

Battle passes and seasonal cosmetics are also available for purchase, and some limited-time items rotate out of the store. None of these purchases affect gameplay or give you an advantage in combat — they are purely cosmetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Final Fantasy XIV without paying after the free trial?

No. Once you finish the free trial content (the base game and first expansion), you must have an active subscription to continue playing. The trial has no time limit, but it does have a level cap and feature restrictions that prevent you from progressing past Heavensward's story.

What happens if I let my subscription lapse?

You cannot log in, but your character is not deleted. You can reactivate your subscription anytime and resume playing with your character, items, and gil intact. If you pause for more than 90 days without reactivating, your character enters a dormant state but can still be restored if you return later.

Do I have to buy the expansions separately, or are they included in the subscription?

All expansions released so far are included in your subscription. You do not buy them separately. When a new expansion launches, it becomes part of the subscription automatically — you do not pay extra to access it.

Can I change my subscription tier anytime?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your tier anytime through the Mog Station. If you downgrade from Standard to Starter mid-cycle, you lose the ability to create new characters and own a house, but your existing characters and houses are not deleted — they are just inaccessible until you upgrade again.

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

Yes. Committing to three or six months upfront typically gives you a 10 to 15 percent discount compared to paying month-to-month. The exact discount varies by region and may change, so check the Mog Station for current pricing.