What PlayStation Plus costs and what you get at each tier

PlayStation Plus has three subscription tiers, each with a different price and set of features. PlayStation Plus Essential is the base tier. PlayStation Plus Extra adds a game library. PlayStation Plus Premium includes everything in Extra plus classic PlayStation games and game trials. Prices vary by region and whether you pay monthly or annually.

In the United States, Essential costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. Extra costs $17.99 per month or $179.99 per year. Premium costs $23.99 per month or $239.99 per year. These are the standard rates as of 2024, though Sony has adjusted pricing in the past and may do so again.

If you already have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can upgrade to a higher tier and pay only the difference. The system prorates the cost based on how much time remains on your current subscription.

Key Takeaways

  • Essential is the base tier at $11.99 per month and includes online multiplayer and monthly games.
  • Extra adds a rotating library of several hundred games for $17.99 per month.
  • Premium includes Extra plus classic PlayStation titles and game trials for $23.99 per month.
  • Annual subscriptions cost less per month than paying month-to-month for any tier.
  • Prices differ outside the United States; check your regional PlayStation Store for your local cost.

What Essential includes

PlayStation Plus Essential gives you online multiplayer for games that require it, cloud save storage for your game progress, and access to two games per month at no additional cost. These monthly games are yours to keep as long as your subscription is active. The games rotate on the first Tuesday of each month.

Essential also includes exclusive discounts on games in the PlayStation Store and early access to sales. You get these benefits on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.

What Extra adds to your subscription

Extra includes everything in Essential plus a game library of several hundred titles. The exact number of games changes as Sony adds and removes titles, but the library typically includes recent releases and older games across many genres. You can download and play any game in the library as many times as you want while your subscription is active.

The library does not include every PlayStation game ever made, and games are sometimes removed. Sony publishes a monthly list of games being added and removed so you can see what is coming and what is leaving.

What Premium adds beyond Extra

Premium includes everything in Extra plus access to classic PlayStation games from the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable. These games are streamed or downloaded depending on your console and internet connection. Premium also includes game trials, which let you play new releases for up to two hours before deciding whether to buy them.

Premium subscribers can also play select games via cloud streaming, which means you can play on your phone or computer without owning a PlayStation console. Cloud streaming requires a strong internet connection and is available in certain regions.

How to compare annual versus monthly payments

Paying for a full year costs less per month than paying month-to-month. For Essential, the annual price of $119.99 works out to about $10 per month, compared to $11.99 for monthly billing. For Extra, annual billing is $179.99 per year versus $17.99 monthly. For Premium, annual is $239.99 per year versus $23.99 monthly.

The difference adds up over time. If you plan to keep your subscription for a year, annual billing saves you between $24 and $36 depending on which tier you choose. You can switch to annual billing at any time; Sony will credit the remaining balance of your current subscription toward the annual plan.

Prices outside the United States

PlayStation Plus pricing varies by country and currency. Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other regions have their own pricing set by Sony. The tier structure is the same everywhere — Essential, Extra, and Premium — but the dollar or local currency amount differs.

To find your regional price, go to your PlayStation Store, select your account, and look at the subscription section. You will see the exact cost in your local currency for each tier and billing period.

What happens to your games if your subscription ends

If you stop paying for PlayStation Plus, you lose access to the monthly games and the Extra or Premium library. Games you purchased separately with your own money remain yours. Cloud saves stay on Sony's servers for up to six months after your subscription ends, so you can resume playing if you resubscribe.

Online multiplayer requires an active subscription, so you cannot play online-only games without it. Single-player games you own work fine without a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from Essential to Extra or Premium mid-month?

Yes. Sony prorates the cost based on your remaining subscription time. If you have six months left on Essential and upgrade to Extra, you pay the difference between what you already paid and what Extra costs for those six months.

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play free-to-play games?

No. Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warframe do not require a PlayStation Plus subscription, even for online play. You can download and play them without any subscription.

Are the classic games on Premium the same as the originals?

They are the original games, but they run through emulation on modern hardware. Sony has added some features like save states and rewind, but the core games are unchanged. Not every classic PlayStation game is available; the library includes popular and notable titles but not the entire back catalog.

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, through console sharing. If you set your console as the primary console for your account, other users on that console can access your subscription. The details of how this works depend on your console and account settings; check your PlayStation Network settings for the current sharing rules.

What internet speed do I need for cloud streaming on Premium?

Sony recommends at least 35 Mbps for 1080p streaming and 35 Mbps for 4K, though actual performance depends on your connection stability and the game. Cloud streaming is not available in all regions, so check your PlayStation Store to see if it is offered where you are.