PlayStation Plus pricing in 2024

PlayStation Plus costs between $9.99 and $17.99 per month depending on which tier you choose, or you can pay annually to reduce the per-month cost. Sony offers three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Essential is the cheapest option and covers online multiplayer and monthly games. Extra and Premium add a larger game library and cloud gaming features, with Premium being the most expensive.

The exact price you pay depends on whether you buy a monthly subscription or commit to a year upfront. Annual plans cost less per month than paying month-to-month, so if you plan to stay subscribed, buying a year at once saves money.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus Essential costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year and gives you online multiplayer, two free games monthly, and cloud saves.
  • PlayStation Plus Extra costs $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year and adds a library of around 400 PS4 and PS5 games.
  • PlayStation Plus Premium costs $17.99 per month or $143.99 per year and includes cloud gaming, classic PlayStation games, and game trials.
  • Paying annually instead of monthly saves you between $20 and $36 per year depending on the tier you choose.
  • Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year, and you can cancel anytime through your account settings.

Breaking down each tier and what you get

Essential is the base tier and the closest to the old PlayStation Plus before Sony restructured the service. You get online multiplayer for PS5 and PS4 games, two free games added to your library each month, cloud saves so your progress backs up automatically, and access to exclusive discounts in the PlayStation Store. This tier does not include a large game library — you only get the two monthly games plus whatever you have already bought.

Extra includes everything in Essential plus a catalog of around 400 games. These are mostly PS4 titles with some PS5 games mixed in. The library changes over time — Sony adds and removes games regularly. If you want to try a wider range of games without buying them individually, this tier is where that starts.

Premium includes everything in Extra plus cloud gaming (so you can stream games instead of downloading them), access to classic PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games, and game trials that let you play new releases for a few hours before deciding to buy. The classic games library is smaller than the main catalog, and not every PlayStation game ever made is included.

Monthly versus annual pricing

Buying a year upfront costs less per month than paying month-to-month. Essential costs $9.99 per month if you pay monthly, but $79.99 per year ($6.67 per month). Extra costs $14.99 monthly or $119.99 yearly ($10 per month). Premium costs $17.99 monthly or $143.99 yearly ($12 per month).

The annual savings add up: Essential saves you $20 per year, Extra saves $60 per year, and Premium saves $72 per year. If you are certain you will use the service for twelve months, the annual plan is the better deal. If you are unsure, the monthly option lets you cancel without penalty.

How billing and cancellation work

Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year. If you pay monthly on the 15th, your next charge hits on the 15th of the following month. If you buy an annual plan, you are charged once per year on the anniversary date. You can cancel anytime through your PlayStation Network account settings on your console or the PlayStation website — cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep access until that date.

If you cancel a monthly subscription on the 20th of the month but your renewal date is the 25th, you still have access until the 25th. If you cancel an annual plan, you lose access on the anniversary date of when you bought it, not when ready. There are no refunds for unused time if you cancel mid-cycle.

Comparing PlayStation Plus to other gaming subscriptions

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99 per month and includes online multiplayer, a large game library, cloud gaming, and day-one access to new Xbox games. Nintendo Switch Online costs $7.99 per month for the basic tier or $50 per year, and covers online play plus access to classic NES and SNES games. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium sit in the middle price-wise but offer different game libraries — the choice depends on which console you own and which games matter to you.

If you own multiple consoles, you may end up paying for more than one subscription. Some people subscribe to PlayStation Plus for a few months, cancel, then resubscribe later when new games are added to the catalog. This is allowed and costs nothing extra, though you lose access to the library while unsubscribed.

Regional pricing and currency differences

The prices listed here are for the United States. PlayStation Plus costs different amounts in other countries and currencies. In Canada, Essential costs $11.99 CAD monthly or $95.99 CAD yearly. In the United Kingdom, Essential costs £6.99 monthly or £49.99 yearly. If you travel or move, your subscription price may change when you update your account region, though you keep your existing games and saves.

Some regions have different pricing structures or promotional offers. If you see a different price than what is listed here, check your account settings to confirm your region is set correctly.

Free trials and promotional offers

Sony occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, usually three days to one month depending on the tier and current promotions. These trials are not always available and change throughout the year. If you are a new PlayStation Network user, check the PlayStation Store to see if a trial is currently running before you pay for a full month.

Some retailers and bundle deals include PlayStation Plus subscriptions at a discount. If you buy a new PS5 console, a PlayStation gift card, or certain games, you may receive a discount code for a month or year of service. These offers vary by retailer and region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade or downgrade my tier mid-cycle?

Yes. If you are on Essential and want to upgrade to Extra or Premium, you can do so when ready through your account settings. Sony charges you the difference for the remaining time on your current billing cycle. If you downgrade, you lose access to features of the higher tier when ready, though your refund for unused time appears as PlayStation Store credit.

What happens to my games if I cancel my subscription?

Games you downloaded from the PlayStation Plus catalog are locked and unplayable once your subscription ends. Games you bought with your own money remain yours. Your save files stay in cloud storage for up to six months after cancellation, so you can resubscribe and pick up where you left off.

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

No. PlayStation Plus is only required for online multiplayer. You can play any single-player game without a subscription. You also do not need it to use streaming apps like Netflix or to browse the PlayStation Store, though you cannot buy games without a PlayStation Network account.

Is PlayStation Plus the same on PS4 and PS5?

Yes. Your subscription works on both consoles if you are signed into the same account. Some games in the Extra and Premium catalogs are PS4-only, while others are PS5-only, but your tier level is the same across both systems.

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, through console sharing. If you set your PS5 or PS4 as your primary console, other accounts on that console can use your subscription. This works for local play only — you cannot share your subscription across multiple consoles in different homes.