PlayStation Plus is Sony's subscription service for online gaming, cloud saves, and exclusive games

PlayStation Plus gives you access to online multiplayer on PlayStation consoles, automatic cloud backup for your game saves, and a rotating library of games you can download and play at no extra cost. Sony offers three tiers — Essential, Extra, and Premium — each with different features and price points. The tier you choose depends on whether you want basic online play, a larger game library, or access to older PlayStation titles.

You pay monthly or annually, and your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel. The service works on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, and some features are available through the PlayStation app on other devices.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus Essential covers online multiplayer and cloud saves; Extra adds hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games; Premium adds older PlayStation games and game trials.
  • Monthly costs vary by region and tier, with annual plans offering a discount compared to paying month-to-month.
  • Your subscription renews automatically each month or year, so you need to cancel before the renewal date if you want to stop paying.
  • Game availability in the monthly library changes regularly, so the titles you can download this month may rotate out next month.
  • If you had a PlayStation Plus subscription before September 2022, your old membership converted to Essential tier automatically.

The three tiers and what each one includes

PlayStation Plus Essential is the base tier and covers what the old PlayStation Plus membership used to offer: online multiplayer, cloud save storage, and a small monthly selection of games (usually two to four titles). You need Essential to play online multiplayer games with other players on PS4 or PS5.

PlayStation Plus Extra adds a library of several hundred PS4 and PS5 games that you can download and play as long as your subscription is active. The exact titles rotate, but the library typically includes popular releases from the past few years alongside older games. You keep all the Essential features plus this expanded game library.

PlayStation Plus Premium includes everything in Extra, plus access to a catalog of older PlayStation games (PS1, PS2, and PS3 titles), game trials that let you play new releases for a limited time before they launch, and the ability to stream games to your phone or other devices. This tier costs the most and is aimed at players who want the deepest library and the most features.

Monthly and annual pricing by region

Pricing varies by country and region. In the United States, monthly costs run roughly $11 for Essential, $17 for Extra, and $18 for Premium, though these amounts change periodically and may differ in your area. Annual plans cost less per month than paying monthly — for example, an annual Essential plan costs less than twelve months of monthly payments.

You can check the exact current price for your region by visiting the PlayStation Store on your console or through the PlayStation website. Prices are set by Sony and may increase without notice, though the company typically announces major price changes in advance.

If you already have an active subscription and the price goes up, you will be notified before your next renewal date. You can cancel before that date takes effect if you do not want to pay the new price.

How to manage your subscription and cancel if you want to stop

You manage your PlayStation Plus subscription through your PlayStation Network account settings, either on your console or through the PlayStation website. To cancel, sign into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the option to cancel your membership. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you will keep access until that date, then your subscription ends.

If you cancel mid-month or mid-year, you do not get a refund for the unused portion. Your subscription simply stops renewing when the current period ends. If you change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time, though you will start a new billing cycle at the current price.

Some players use PlayStation Plus through a family group, where one account pays for the subscription and other family members on the same console can use it. The account holder controls the subscription and cancellation.

What happens to your games when your subscription ends

Games you downloaded from the PlayStation Plus library are locked once your subscription ends — you cannot play them until you resubscribe. Games you purchased separately with your own money remain playable. Cloud saves stay in your account even after your subscription expires, so if you resubscribe later, your progress is still there.

Online multiplayer requires an active subscription, so you cannot play online games with other players without PlayStation Plus, even if you own the game outright. Single-player games you own work fine without a subscription.

Differences between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now was Sony's older game streaming service. In 2022, Sony merged PlayStation Now into PlayStation Plus Premium, so there is no longer a separate PlayStation Now subscription. If you had PlayStation Now, it converted to PlayStation Plus Premium automatically.

The Premium tier includes the streaming and older-game features that PlayStation Now offered, plus everything from Essential and Extra. If you only want online multiplayer and a rotating game library, Essential or Extra will serve you better and cost less.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You only need PlayStation Plus to play online multiplayer games with other players. Single-player games work without any subscription. You also do not need it to watch streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube on your console.

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with someone else?

Yes, through PlayStation's family group feature. One account pays for the subscription, and other family members on the same console can use it. The account holder controls the subscription and can remove members at any time.

What happens if I downgrade from Premium to Essential?

Your subscription changes to the lower tier at your next renewal date. You lose access to the Premium features (older games, game trials, streaming) but keep Essential features like online multiplayer and cloud saves. Games you downloaded from the Extra or Premium library become locked.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my subscription?

Sony does not refund unused time on monthly or annual subscriptions. Your membership simply stops renewing at the end of your current billing period. You keep access until that date arrives.

How often do the games in the monthly library change?

Sony typically rotates the monthly games on the first Tuesday of each month. New games are added and older ones are removed from the library. You can see upcoming changes on the PlayStation website before they happen.