What You Need to Know About Final Fantasy XIV Subscriptions

Final Fantasy XIV Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that requires a paid subscription to play after the free trial ends. Square Enix, the game's developer, offers three subscription tiers with different features and pricing. You pay monthly, and your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it.

The subscription covers access to the game world, all expansions included in your tier, and online multiplayer features. You do not need to purchase expansions separately — they come with your subscription tier. If you stop paying, your character remains saved in the game, but you cannot log in until you resubscribe.

Key Takeaways

  • Final Fantasy XIV has three subscription tiers: Starter (cheapest, limited features), Standard (most common, full features), and Complete (includes all expansions and cosmetics).
  • Monthly cost varies by region and payment method, ranging from roughly $13 to $15 USD for Standard tier, with discounts available for longer commitments like 3-month or 6-month plans.
  • 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 renews automatically on the same day each month unless you manually cancel it through your account settings or contact Square Enix support.
  • You can change subscription tiers at any time, and the system prorates charges if you upgrade mid-cycle.

The Three Subscription Tiers and What Each Includes

Starter tier is the entry-level option. It costs less than Standard but comes with restrictions: you can own only one house or apartment, join only one Free Company (the game's guild system), and cannot use the retainer system fully. A retainer is an NPC that holds items and sells goods on the market board for you. Starter limits you to one retainer instead of two. You also cannot create a Free Company yourself — you can only join one someone else created.

Standard tier is what most players choose. It removes the Starter restrictions: you can own a house, join multiple Free Companies, use two retainers, and access all social features without limits. Standard includes all current and past expansions, so you can play through the entire story from the base game through the latest expansion.

Complete tier includes everything in Standard plus cosmetic items — specifically, a collection of mounts, minions (pets), and gear skins that are normally sold separately in the Mog Station (the in-game store). If you plan to buy cosmetics anyway, Complete can be cost-effective. The price difference between Standard and Complete is usually $2 to $3 USD per month.

Monthly Cost and Payment Options

Pricing varies by region. In North America, Standard tier costs approximately $13 to $15 USD per month depending on your payment method and whether you commit to a longer plan. European pricing is similar in EUR. Japanese pricing is set in JPY. Square Enix updates prices occasionally, so check your account settings or the official website for current rates in your region.

You can pay month-to-month, or commit to 3-month or 6-month plans upfront. Longer commitments usually cost less per month — a 6-month plan might save you $5 to $10 total compared to six separate monthly payments. You pay the full amount upfront for the commitment period, then the subscription renews at the same rate unless you change it.

Payment methods include credit card, debit card, and in some regions, prepaid time cards purchased from retailers. If you use a prepaid card, you enter the code into your account and it adds time to your subscription. Prepaid cards are useful if you do not want to store payment information online or prefer to control spending by buying cards in set increments.

The Free Trial and When You Must Subscribe

Square Enix offers a free trial that lets you play through the base game and the first expansion (Heavensward) up to level 60. The trial has no time limit — you can play as long as you want without paying. However, the trial includes restrictions: you cannot earn more than 300,000 gil (in-game currency), cannot join a Free Company, cannot use the market board to buy or sell items, and cannot send tells (private messages) to other players.

The trial is genuine — you can experience the main story, dungeons, and most gameplay systems. Many players spend weeks or months on the trial before deciding to subscribe. You must subscribe to progress past level 60, access expansions beyond Heavensward, join a Free Company, or use the market board.

When you decide to subscribe, you create a Mog Station account (Square Enix's account management system), link it to your Final Fantasy XIV character, and enter payment information. Your subscription begins immediately, and you can log in as a paid player within minutes.

How Subscription Renewal and Cancellation Work

Your subscription renews automatically on the same calendar day each month. If you subscribe on the 15th, it renews on the 15th of the next month. If you commit to a 3-month plan, it renews as a 3-month plan on the same date unless you change it beforehand.

To cancel, log into your Mog Station account, go to your subscription settings, and select the option to cancel. You can cancel anytime, even mid-cycle. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of your paid period — you do not lose access immediately. After your paid time ends, you return to the free trial restrictions if you do not resubscribe.

If you want to pause rather than cancel, you can downgrade to the free trial instead of canceling entirely. Your character and house (if you own one) remain saved. When you resubscribe later, everything is still there. Some players do this between expansions or during breaks from the game.

What Happens If You Stop Paying

Your character does not disappear if your subscription lapses. Your gear, gil, house, and Free Company membership all remain intact. If you resubscribe later, you log back in exactly where you left off. However, while you are not subscribed, you cannot log in at all — not even to check your character or access your house.

If you own a house in the game and your subscription lapses for 45 days, the house enters a demolition timer. After 90 days total of inactivity, the house is removed and the land becomes available for other players to purchase. Your items inside the house are mailed to you, but you lose the house itself. Apartments (which are instanced and do not have the same demolition system) are safer if you plan to take extended breaks.

Free Company membership does not automatically end when your subscription lapses, but if you are inactive for a long time, the Free Company leader may remove you to make room for active members.

Changing Your Subscription Tier or Payment Method

You can change your subscription tier at any time through Mog Station. If you upgrade from Starter to Standard mid-month, the system calculates the difference in price and charges you the prorated amount immediately. Your new tier takes effect right away. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at your next renewal date — you do not get a refund for the current month.

You can also change your payment method anytime. Log into Mog Station, update your payment information, and the new method is used for your next renewal. If your payment fails (for example, if your card expires), Square Enix sends you an email notification. You have a grace period to update your payment information before your account is suspended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Final Fantasy XIV without a subscription?

Yes, through the free trial. You can play the base game and first expansion up to level 60 with no time limit. You cannot progress past level 60, access newer expansions, join a Free Company, or use the market board. The trial is a full experience of the early game, not a demo.

Do I have to pay for expansions separately, or does my subscription include them?

Expansions are included in your subscription tier. Standard and Complete tiers include all expansions. Starter tier includes the base game and Heavensward expansion, but not newer ones. You do not buy expansions as separate purchases — you get access through your subscription.

What happens if my payment method fails?

Square Enix sends you an email notification and gives you a grace period to update your payment information. If you do not update it, your account is suspended and you cannot log in. Your character and items remain saved. Once you provide valid payment information, your access is restored immediately.

Can I gift a subscription to someone else?

No, subscriptions are tied to individual accounts and cannot be transferred or gifted. However, you can purchase a prepaid time card and give the code to someone else. They enter the code into their own Mog Station account to add subscription time.

Is there a way to play without automatic renewal?

Not directly through the subscription system — all subscriptions renew automatically. However, you can use prepaid time cards instead. Buy a card, enter the code, and it adds time to your account without setting up automatic renewal. When the time runs out, you return to the free trial until you buy another card.