PlayStation Plus costs between $11 and $18 per month depending on which tier you choose

PlayStation Plus comes in three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Extra costs $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year. Premium costs $17.99 per month or $179.99 per year. These prices apply in the United States; pricing varies by country and region.

You can also buy shorter subscription periods. A three-month Essential subscription costs $39.99. PlayStation occasionally runs promotions that reduce the first month to $1 or offer discounted multi-month bundles, though these deals change throughout the year and are not may provide to be available when you want to subscribe.

If you already have an active subscription, you can upgrade to a higher tier mid-cycle. PlayStation will prorate the difference and charge you only for the remaining time at the new tier's rate. Downgrading works the same way — you pay the difference and your subscription adjusts when the current period ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Essential tier at $11.99 per month includes online multiplayer and a monthly selection of free games; Extra and Premium add larger game libraries and cloud saves.
  • Annual subscriptions cost less per month than paying monthly, with Essential at $119.99 per year versus $143.88 if you pay month-to-month.
  • Premium tier includes PlayStation Now, which streams older PlayStation games, and access to game trials that let you play new releases for a limited time before purchase.
  • You can upgrade or downgrade between tiers at any time; PlayStation prorates the cost based on your remaining subscription time.

What each tier includes

Essential is the base tier. It covers online multiplayer for supported games, cloud storage for your save files, and access to two free games each month that you can download and keep as long as your subscription is active. You also get exclusive discounts on PlayStation Store purchases and access to some free-to-play games.

Extra includes everything in Essential plus a library of several hundred games you can download and play. The exact number of games in the library changes as Sony adds and removes titles, but it typically includes popular games from the last few years across different genres. You do not own these games — you can play them only while your subscription is active.

Premium includes everything in Extra plus PlayStation Now (a streaming service for older PlayStation games), game trials that let you play new releases for up to two hours before deciding whether to buy, and access to classic PlayStation games from the original console and PlayStation 2. Premium also includes cloud streaming, which lets you play games on a compatible device without downloading them to your console.

Where to buy and how billing works

You can buy PlayStation Plus directly through your PlayStation console, through the PlayStation Store website, or through third-party retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. If you buy through a retailer, you receive a code that you redeem on your account.

Subscriptions renew automatically on the date your current period ends. You can turn off auto-renewal in your account settings on the PlayStation website or through your console. If you turn off auto-renewal, your subscription will not renew when it expires, but you will keep access until the final day of your current period.

If your payment method fails when your subscription tries to renew, PlayStation will attempt to charge you again over the next few days. If all attempts fail, your subscription will lapse and you will lose access to online multiplayer and the Extra or Premium game libraries (though you keep any games you purchased outright).

PlayStation Plus vs. other gaming subscriptions

Xbox Game Pass is a competing subscription service that costs $11.99 per month for Game Pass Core (equivalent to PlayStation Plus Essential) or $16.99 per month for Game Pass Ultimate. Game Pass typically includes a larger rotating library of games and day-one access to new Xbox releases, though the specific games available differ from PlayStation Plus.

Nintendo Switch Online costs $7.99 per month for the basic tier or $20 per year, making it less expensive than PlayStation Plus. However, it includes a smaller game library focused on classic Nintendo titles and does not include modern games the way PlayStation Plus Extra does.

If you own multiple gaming platforms, you may want to compare what each subscription offers before committing to the highest tier on any single platform. Some people find that a lower tier on PlayStation Plus combined with a subscription to another service gives them more variety than paying for Premium alone.

How to check your current subscription status

On your PlayStation console, go to Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions. You will see your current tier, your renewal date, and your payment method. The same information is available on the PlayStation website under your account settings.

You can also check your subscription status by visiting your billing history on the PlayStation Store. This page shows every charge to your account and lets you see when your next renewal is scheduled. If you have multiple PlayStation accounts on the same console, each account has its own separate subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, if family members have their own accounts on your console, they can use your subscription for online multiplayer and the game library. However, only the account that owns the subscription can download games from the Extra or Premium library. Other accounts on the console can play those games, but cannot download new ones.

What happens to my games if my subscription expires?

Games you downloaded through PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium become unplayable once your subscription ends. Games you purchased outright remain yours. Free-to-play games stay on your console and remain playable. You can redownload Extra or Premium games if you resubscribe later.

Is there a free trial for PlayStation Plus?

Sony occasionally offers free trial periods, usually for new accounts or during promotional events. These trials typically last one week to one month depending on the promotion. Check the PlayStation Store or your console for current offers, as availability changes regularly.

Can I buy a longer subscription period upfront?

Yes. You can buy one month, three months, or one year at a time. Buying a full year costs less per month than paying monthly, but you must pay the entire amount upfront. Some retailers sell discounted subscription codes, though prices vary.