PlayStation Plus is the main subscription, but there are three tiers with different games and features

PlayStation Plus comes in three versions: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential is the cheapest and gives you online multiplayer and two free games per month. Extra adds a library of several hundred PlayStation games you can download and play. Premium includes everything in Extra plus classic PlayStation games from older consoles, cloud streaming, and early access to some new releases.

You need at least PlayStation Plus Essential to play online multiplayer games with other people. Without it, you can still play single-player games and use streaming apps like Netflix, but you cannot join online matches or raids. The tier you choose depends on whether you want access to a large game library or just the basics to play online.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus Essential costs the least and covers online multiplayer and two free games monthly, but no game library.
  • PlayStation Plus Extra adds hundreds of downloadable games but costs more per month than Essential.
  • PlayStation Plus Premium includes everything in Extra plus classic games, cloud streaming, and early access to new releases.
  • You can upgrade or downgrade between tiers at any time, and your subscription renews automatically each month or year.
  • PlayStation Plus is separate from PlayStation Now; if you had PlayStation Now before 2022, it converted to PlayStation Plus Premium.

PlayStation Plus Essential: Online play and monthly games

Essential is the base tier and the one you need if you want to play online multiplayer. It includes two free games every month that you keep as long as your subscription is active. You also get exclusive discounts on games in the PlayStation Store and cloud storage for your save files.

Essential does not include a library of games to download. You buy games individually, or you get the two free ones each month. If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to those free games until you resubscribe. This tier works for people who already own the games they want to play and mainly need online access.

PlayStation Plus Extra: Hundreds of games to download

Extra includes everything in Essential plus a rotating library of games you can download and play. The library has several hundred titles across different genres — action, sports, puzzle, RPG — though not every new release appears immediately. Sony adds and removes games from the library regularly, so a game you download today might not be there in six months.

You keep access to downloaded games as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel, you lose them. Extra costs more per month than Essential but less than Premium. It is useful if you like trying different games without buying each one, or if you want a steady supply of new titles to play.

PlayStation Plus Premium: Classics, streaming, and early access

Premium includes everything in Extra plus three additional features. First, it has a catalog of classic games from PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and PSP — older titles that are not available anywhere else. Second, it offers cloud streaming, which means you can play games on your phone, tablet, or computer without owning a PlayStation console. Third, you get early access to some new games, usually a few days or a week before they release to the public.

Premium is the most expensive tier. It makes sense if you want the largest selection of games, want to play on multiple devices, or are interested in retro PlayStation titles. The classic game catalog is the main reason people choose Premium over Extra, since the other features matter less to most players.

How billing works and when your subscription renews

PlayStation Plus renews automatically every month or every year, depending on which plan you chose when you signed up. You can change the renewal period anytime in your account settings. Your payment method is charged on the same day each cycle — for example, if you subscribe on the 15th, you are charged on the 15th of every month.

You can cancel your subscription anytime, and it stays active until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel mid-month, you do not get a refund for the unused time. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want a break without losing your account or settings.

Upgrading, downgrading, and switching tiers

You can change tiers at any time through your PlayStation account settings or the PlayStation Store. If you upgrade from Essential to Extra or Premium, you pay the difference for the remainder of your current billing period, and your new tier starts immediately. If you downgrade, the change takes effect when your current subscription renews.

For example, if you are on Essential and upgrade to Extra mid-month, you pay a prorated amount to cover the rest of that month at the Extra price. When your subscription renews next month, you are charged the full Extra price. Downgrading works the opposite way — you stay on your current tier until renewal, then switch to the lower tier.

PlayStation Plus versus PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now was a separate subscription service that offered game streaming and a library of games. In 2022, Sony merged PlayStation Now into PlayStation Plus Premium. If you had an active PlayStation Now subscription, it converted to PlayStation Plus Premium at no extra cost.

There is no longer a separate PlayStation Now service. All streaming and classic games are now part of PlayStation Plus Premium. If you were a PlayStation Now subscriber and want to keep that access, you need to maintain a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play single-player games?

No. You only need PlayStation Plus to play online multiplayer. Single-player games, streaming apps, and other features work without a subscription. You do need PlayStation Plus to download the free games offered each month, though.

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, through console sharing. You can set your console as the primary console for another account, and anyone on that console can use your subscription. This works for household members on the same console, but not for people in different homes.

What happens to my games if I cancel PlayStation Plus?

Games you bought stay yours. Free games from the monthly selection and games from the Extra or Premium library become unplayable until you resubscribe. Your save files are kept in cloud storage for two years after cancellation.

Can I try a tier before committing to it?

PlayStation does not offer free trials for existing subscribers, but new accounts sometimes get promotional offers. You can upgrade or downgrade between tiers anytime, so you can try Extra or Premium for a month and switch back if you do not like it.

Is PlayStation Plus the same on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5?

Yes. Your subscription works on both consoles. The games available in the Extra and Premium libraries are the same, though some games are optimized differently for each console.