PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now are the two main subscription options for PS5

PlayStation Plus is Sony's core membership. It costs $9.99 per month, $24.99 for three months, or $99.99 per year. You get online multiplayer, a rotating library of free games each month (usually two to four titles), exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store, and cloud storage for your save files.

PlayStation Plus Extra adds a larger game library — around 400 titles — for $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year. It includes everything in the base plan plus access to PS4 and PS5 games you can download and play.

PlayStation Plus Premium is the highest tier at $17.99 per month or $159.99 per year. It includes the Extra library plus classic PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games, game trials (play new releases for up to two hours before buying), and streaming of PS3 games you don't own.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus base ($9.99/month) gives you online multiplayer and two to four free games monthly, but no large game library.
  • PlayStation Plus Extra ($14.99/month) adds 400+ downloadable games and is the most popular tier for most players.
  • PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99/month) includes classic PlayStation games, game trials, and PS3 game streaming.
  • You can cancel or change your subscription tier at any time through your account settings on the PS5 or the PlayStation website.
  • Prices vary slightly by region; amounts shown are US pricing.

What you actually get with each tier

The base PlayStation Plus tier is built around online play. If you want to play multiplayer games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, or Destiny 2 online, you need this subscription. You also receive two to four games per month at no extra cost — these rotate, so the library changes constantly. You cannot keep these games if your subscription lapses, but you can download them while you are subscribed. Cloud save storage lets you back up your progress to Sony's servers.

Extra tier adds a permanent library you can download. These are not rotating; once a game is in the Extra catalog, it stays there (though Sony does remove titles occasionally). The library includes recent releases, older hits, and indie games. You still get the monthly free games and online multiplayer from the base tier.

Premium tier is for players who want access to older PlayStation generations. The classic games section includes titles from PS1, PS2, and PS3 — you stream PS3 games rather than download them, so you need a stable internet connection to play them. Game trials let you download and play new releases for up to two hours before deciding whether to buy. This tier also includes everything from Extra and base.

How to choose between tiers

If you only play online multiplayer and do not care about a large game library, base PlayStation Plus is enough. You get the games you want to play online, plus the rotating free titles each month.

Extra is the middle ground most players choose. The 400+ game library means you have something to play without buying new games constantly. The cost per game works out to pennies if you play even a few titles from the catalog.

Premium makes sense if you grew up with PlayStation 1, 2, or 3 and want to revisit those games, or if you want to try new releases through the trial system before spending $60 to $70 on them. The classic games library is the main reason to pay the extra $3 per month over Extra.

How billing works and what happens if you cancel

Subscriptions renew automatically on the date you set up your account. If you pay monthly, you are charged every month on that date. If you pay for three months or a year upfront, the charge happens once and then renews after that period ends.

You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time through your PS5 settings or your PlayStation Network account on the web. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your paid period ends — Sony does not prorate refunds. If you downgrade from Premium to Extra, for example, you keep Extra access for the remainder of your paid period, then the lower price takes effect at renewal.

If your subscription lapses, you lose access to online multiplayer and the game library. Games you downloaded while subscribed remain on your console, but you cannot play them until you resubscribe. Your save files stay in cloud storage for up to six months after your subscription ends.

Regional pricing and payment methods

Prices listed here are for the United States. Canada, the UK, Australia, and other regions have different pricing in their local currency. Check your PlayStation Store to see the exact price in your region.

You can pay with a credit or debit card, PayPal, or PlayStation Store credit (which you buy with cash or card). If you have a payment method saved to your PlayStation Network account, subscriptions charge to that method automatically. You can change your payment method or add a new one through your account settings at any time.

PlayStation Plus vs. other gaming subscriptions

Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft's equivalent. Game Pass Ultimate includes online multiplayer, a rotating library, and access to hundreds of games — similar to PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium depending on what you value. Game Pass typically costs $16.99 per month, though Microsoft frequently runs promotional pricing.

Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo's membership for the Switch console. It costs $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year for the base tier, which is much cheaper than PlayStation Plus but includes a smaller library and no modern games — mostly classic NES and SNES titles.

PlayStation Plus Extra is generally considered the best value for PS5 owners because the game library is large, the price is moderate, and you get everything needed for online play. Premium is worth considering only if you specifically want classic PlayStation games or plan to use game trials regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play single-player games on PS5?

No. You need PlayStation Plus only for online multiplayer. Single-player games, story modes, and offline features work without a subscription. You do need a PlayStation Network account (free) to use your PS5, but not a paid subscription.

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, through console sharing. If you set your PS5 as your "primary console" in your account settings, anyone who creates a profile on that console can use your subscription. You can also share with one other console if you log into your account on a second PS5. The subscription works on both consoles simultaneously.

What happens to my free monthly games if I cancel?

Games you claimed while subscribed remain in your library as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel and resubscribe later, you keep the games you claimed before. If a game leaves the free rotation and you never claimed it, you cannot get it later unless you buy it separately.

Is PlayStation Plus Premium worth the extra cost over Extra?

That depends on whether you want classic PlayStation games or game trials. If you have no interest in PS1, PS2, or PS3 titles, and you do not try new games before buying them, Extra is the better value. If you grew up with older PlayStation consoles or regularly use trials, Premium's extra $3 per month adds real value.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my subscription mid-month?

Yes. If you upgrade from base to Extra or Premium, you pay the difference for the remaining time on your current subscription, then the new tier renews at the next billing date. If you downgrade, you keep the higher tier until your paid period ends, then the lower price takes effect at renewal.