Final Fantasy XIV charges a monthly subscription to play, with three pricing tiers that differ by character slots and retainer access
Final Fantasy XIV is a subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game run by Square Enix. You cannot play the game without an active subscription, though you can download and create a character for free during the trial period. Once you purchase the base game or any expansion, your subscription begins and renews monthly unless you cancel it.
Square Enix offers three subscription tiers: Starter, Standard, and Premium. Each tier costs a different amount per month and grants different numbers of character slots and retainers — NPCs that hold items for you. The price you pay depends on which tier you choose and how you pay (monthly, three months at once, or six months at once).
Key Takeaways
- Final Fantasy XIV requires a paid subscription after the free trial ends, with three tiers ranging from basic to premium access.
- Starter tier costs less but limits you to one character per server and one retainer, while Premium tier allows ten characters per server and ten retainers.
- Paying for three or six months at once gives you a discount compared to paying month-to-month.
- You can pause your subscription by not renewing it, and your character data remains on Square Enix's servers indefinitely.
- The subscription covers access to all content you own — expansions, raids, dungeons — but does not include cosmetic items sold separately in the Mog Station shop.
The Three Subscription Tiers and What Each Includes
The Starter tier is the lowest-cost option. It allows one character per server, one retainer, and access to all dungeons, raids, and story content included in your purchased expansions. You cannot create a Free Company (player-run guild) or use the market board to buy and sell items with other players. This tier is designed for players who want to experience the story and dungeons without the social or economic features.
The Standard tier is the middle option and the most common choice. It allows four characters per server, two retainers, and full access to Free Company creation and the market board. You can buy and sell items, join guilds, and participate in the game's economy. Most players choose this tier because it removes the restrictions that make Starter feel limiting.
The Premium tier is the highest tier. It allows ten characters per server, ten retainers, and all the features of Standard. The extra character and retainer slots are useful for players who want to level multiple jobs, store more items, or experiment with different playstyles. Premium costs significantly more than Standard, so most players only upgrade if they actively use the extra slots.
Monthly Cost and Payment Options
| Tier | Monthly | 3 Months | 6 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $12.99 | $35.97 (saves $3.00) | $71.94 (saves $6.00) |
| Standard | $14.99 | $41.97 (saves $3.00) | $83.94 (saves $6.00) |
| Premium | $17.99 | $50.97 (saves $3.00) | $107.94 (saves $6.00) |
These prices are in US dollars and apply to North American accounts. European and Japanese accounts use different currencies and may have slightly different pricing. You can change your subscription tier at any time, and the change takes effect on your next renewal date.
If you pay for multiple months upfront, you receive a small discount compared to paying month-to-month. The discount is the same across all three tiers: $3 off for a three-month commitment and $6 off for six months. This discount does not compound — paying for six months does not give you a larger discount than paying for two three-month periods.
How to Set Up and Manage Your Subscription
You manage your subscription through the Mog Station, Square Enix's account management website. You log in with your Square Enix account, add a payment method, and choose your tier and payment frequency. Square Enix accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month unless you cancel it.
If you want to pause your subscription without losing your character, you simply do not renew it when it expires. Your character data stays on Square Enix's servers indefinitely, and you can resubscribe at any time to resume playing. There is no penalty for taking a break, and you do not lose your items, gil (in-game currency), or progress.
If you want to change tiers, you can do so through the Mog Station. The change takes effect on your next renewal date. If you downgrade from Premium to Standard, for example, you will keep only four characters per server after the change — any characters beyond that slot become inaccessible until you upgrade again, but they are not deleted.
What the Subscription Does and Does Not Cover
Your subscription covers access to all story content, dungeons, raids, trials, and features included in the expansions you own. If you own the base game and Endwalker expansion, your subscription lets you play all content up through Endwalker. When a new expansion releases, you must purchase it separately — the subscription does not include future expansions automatically.
The subscription does not cover cosmetic items sold in the Mog Station shop, such as armor skins, mounts, or emotes. These are optional purchases made with real money on top of your subscription. The subscription also does not cover the free trial period — during the trial, you do not pay anything, but you are restricted to level 60 and cannot join Free Companies or use the market board.
Free Trial and When You Must Subscribe
Square Enix offers a free trial that lets you play up to level 60 with most story and dungeon content available. The trial has no time limit, but it restricts you to one character, no Free Company access, and no market board use. You can play the trial indefinitely without paying.
Your subscription requirement begins when you purchase the base game or any expansion. Once you buy the game, your first month of subscription is usually included, and then you are charged monthly unless you cancel. If you only play the free trial, you never need to subscribe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my subscription tier mid-month?
Yes, you can change your tier at any time through the Mog Station. The change takes effect on your next renewal date, not immediately. You are not charged extra for changing tiers — you simply pay the new tier's price on your next billing date.
What happens if my payment fails?
If your payment fails, Square Enix sends you an email notification. You have a grace period to update your payment method before your subscription lapses. If it lapses, your character becomes inaccessible until you resubscribe and your payment goes through.
Do I lose my character if I stop paying?
No. Your character data remains on Square Enix's servers indefinitely. You can resubscribe at any time and resume playing with all your items and progress intact. There is no time limit on how long you can leave your subscription inactive.
Is the subscription the same price in other countries?
No. European accounts are charged in euros, and Japanese accounts are charged in yen. The prices in those currencies are set by Square Enix and may not convert directly to US dollar amounts. Check the Mog Station in your region to see the exact price you will pay.
Do I need to buy expansions separately, or does the subscription include them?
You must purchase expansions separately. The subscription only covers access to content you already own. When you buy an expansion, your subscription lets you play it, but the subscription itself does not include future expansions automatically.