What a SWTOR subscription covers

A SWTOR subscription (Star Wars: The Old Republic) is a monthly membership that unlocks the full game experience. Without it, you can play the base story content for free up to level 50, but a subscription removes restrictions on gear, crafting, PvP, and endgame activities. You pay a flat monthly fee and get access to all current expansions, story chapters, and group content.

The subscription model works differently than a one-time purchase. You pay each month as long as you want to play, and your access stops if you cancel. SWTOR also offers a one-time purchase option called Preferred Status (formerly called "F2P with perks"), which sits between free and subscription but costs money upfront and has its own limits.

Key Takeaways

  • A SWTOR subscription costs a monthly fee and removes level caps, gear restrictions, and limits on crafting and PvP participation.
  • Preferred Status is a one-time purchase that gives you more than free play but fewer perks than a subscription, and it never expires.
  • Subscribers get access to all story expansions and endgame content, while free players are locked out of content after level 50.
  • You can pause your subscription at any time, and your characters remain in the game; reactivating restores your access.

Subscription tiers and what each includes

SWTOR offers one main subscription tier, not multiple levels. You pay one monthly rate and get the same access as every other subscriber. There is no "premium" or "deluxe" subscription option within the game itself. The only variation comes from how long you commit: you can pay month-to-month, or buy three months or six months upfront at a discounted per-month rate.

As a subscriber, you can level characters beyond 50, run endgame raids and dungeons, participate in PvP ranked matches, craft without daily limits, and access all story content released since the game launched. You also get a monthly stipend of in-game currency (Cartel Coins) that you can spend on cosmetics, convenience items, or convenience unlocks. Subscribers also skip most of the free-to-play restrictions on inventory space, character slots, and guild access.

Preferred Status: the middle ground between free and subscription

If you do not want a recurring monthly charge, Preferred Status is a one-time purchase that gives you more freedom than free play but does not include everything a subscription does. You buy it once, and it stays active on your account forever—there is no expiration or monthly renewal. The cost is lower than a month of subscription, but you keep fewer perks.

Preferred Status removes some (but not all) free-to-play restrictions. You can level past 50, access some endgame content, and have higher inventory and character limits. However, you still cannot run ranked PvP, you have lower daily crafting caps than subscribers, and you do not receive the monthly Cartel Coin stipend. It is useful if you want to play the story content and casual endgame without committing to a monthly payment, but it is not a replacement for subscription access to competitive or hardcore endgame play.

How to start and cancel a subscription

To subscribe, log into your account on the official SWTOR website, go to the subscription section, and choose your payment method and billing cycle. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or (in some regions) other local payment methods. Once you confirm, your subscription activates immediately and your characters gain full access. You will be charged on the same day each month unless you change your billing cycle.

To cancel, return to the subscription page on your account and select the cancel option. Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing period—you will not be charged again, but you keep access until that date passes. After cancellation, your account reverts to free-to-play status, and your characters remain in the game but are subject to free-to-play restrictions again. You can resubscribe at any time and regain full access without losing your characters or progress.

Cartel Coins and the in-game store

Subscribers receive a monthly allowance of Cartel Coins, the premium currency in SWTOR. You can spend these coins in the Cartel Market (the in-game store) on cosmetic items, convenience unlocks, or quality-of-life features like extra character slots or inventory space. The coins do not expire as long as your subscription is active, so you can save them across months and spend them when you want.

Free players and Preferred Status holders can also buy Cartel Coins with real money, but they do not receive a monthly stipend. Subscribers essentially get a small amount of free premium currency each month, which over time adds up to cosmetics or convenience items without spending extra. The Cartel Market is optional—you can play the entire game without buying anything from it.

Subscription vs. free-to-play: what you lose without it

Free players hit a hard level cap at 50 and cannot progress further. They also cannot run endgame raids, dungeons, or ranked PvP. Crafting is limited to a few items per day, and you have fewer inventory slots, fewer character slots, and restrictions on guild participation. You also cannot use the full auction house and have lower credit (in-game currency) caps.

The free experience is enough to complete the base story and level one or two characters, but it is designed to encourage subscription. If you want to experience the expansions, run group content, or play competitively, a subscription is necessary. Preferred Status removes some of these caps but not all—it is a middle ground for players who want more than free but do not want a monthly commitment.

Payment options and billing cycles

SWTOR accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal for subscription payments. The payment method you choose is stored securely on your account, and you can update it at any time. Billing happens automatically on the same day each month (or every three or six months, depending on your cycle).

You can choose to pay month-to-month, which gives you flexibility to cancel anytime. Alternatively, you can buy three months or six months upfront at a lower per-month rate, which saves money if you know you will play for that long. The longer commitment always costs less per month than month-to-month, but you are charged the full amount upfront. If you cancel a multi-month subscription early, you keep access until the end of the period you paid for, but you do not get a refund for unused time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my characters if I cancel my subscription?

No. Your characters stay in the game and remain yours. When your subscription ends, your account reverts to free-to-play status, and your characters are subject to free-to-play restrictions (level cap, no endgame access). You can resubscribe later and play them again with full access.

Can I use Cartel Coins from my monthly stipend on anything in the store?

Yes. The Cartel Coins you receive each month can be spent on any item in the Cartel Market—cosmetics, convenience unlocks, character boosts, or inventory space. They work the same as coins you buy with real money. Unspent coins carry over month to month as long as your subscription is active.

What happens if I downgrade from subscription to Preferred Status?

Your account keeps the Preferred Status perks permanently. You lose the monthly Cartel Coin stipend and some endgame access, but you keep the higher level cap and inventory limits that Preferred Status provides. Your characters remain playable with the restrictions that Preferred Status allows.

Can I change my billing cycle from month-to-month to six months?

Yes. Log into your account on the SWTOR website, go to subscription settings, and select a new billing cycle. If you switch to a longer cycle mid-month, you will be charged the prorated difference and your renewal date will shift to match the new cycle.

Is there a free trial for the subscription?

SWTOR does not offer a free trial of the subscription itself, but the free-to-play version lets you play through the base story and reach level 50 before deciding whether to subscribe. This gives you a sense of the game and story before committing to a monthly payment.