PlayStation Plus costs $11.99 per month for the Essential tier

PlayStation Plus Essential, the base subscription, costs $11.99 per month when you pay monthly. This is the tier most people choose if they want online multiplayer and a rotating library of games. You can also pay for a full year upfront at $119.99, which works out to about $10 per month if you commit to the whole year.

Sony also offers two higher tiers: PlayStation Plus Extra at $17.99 per month (or $179.99 per year), and PlayStation Plus Premium at $23.99 per month (or $239.99 per year). Each tier adds more games and features, but the Essential tier is what you need for basic online play.

Prices are the same whether you own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. The subscription covers your account across both consoles if you own them.

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Plus Essential costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year, and is required to play online multiplayer games.
  • Extra tier adds a larger game library for $17.99 per month, and Premium adds classic games and game trials for $23.99 per month.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time; you will keep access until the end of your current billing period.
  • Prices do not change based on your region within the United States, but they do vary in other countries.

What's included in each tier

Essential gives you online multiplayer, cloud saves for your games, and access to a monthly rotating selection of games you can read at no extra cost. The game library changes on the first Tuesday of each month, so you lose access to games that rotate out unless you buy them separately. You also get exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store.

Extra includes everything in Essential, plus a larger permanent library of around 400 games from PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. These games do not rotate out monthly—they stay available as long as you keep the subscription. The library includes popular titles but not brand-new releases.

Premium includes everything in Extra, plus access to classic PlayStation games (from PS1, PS2, and PSP), game trials that let you play new releases for up to two hours before buying, and the ability to stream games to your phone or computer. Premium is the only tier that includes backwards-compatible classic games.

How to pay and manage your subscription

You set up PlayStation Plus through your PlayStation Network account on your console or at the PlayStation Store website. When you choose a tier, you enter a payment method—credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month (or year, if you chose annual billing).

You can change your tier at any time. If you upgrade mid-month, you pay a prorated amount for the difference. If you downgrade, the change takes effect at your next renewal date. You can also turn off auto-renewal in your account settings, which stops the subscription from renewing but lets you keep access until the current period ends.

If you cancel, you do not get a refund for the current month or year. However, you keep your cloud saves and can restart the subscription later without losing your data.

Comparing PlayStation Plus to other services

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99 per month and includes online multiplayer, a large game library, and day-one access to new Xbox games—something PlayStation Plus does not offer. However, Game Pass does not include classic games the way PlayStation Plus Premium does.

Nintendo Switch Online costs $3.99 per month for the basic tier and $9.99 per month for the Expansion Pack, which is cheaper than PlayStation Plus but covers a smaller library of older games. The choice depends on which console you own and what games you want to play.

If you own multiple consoles, you may want to budget for more than one subscription. There is no bundle that covers both PlayStation and Xbox.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is forgetting to turn off auto-renewal if you do not want to keep paying. Your subscription renews automatically, and you will be charged even if you have not played in months. Check your account settings once a year to confirm your subscription status.

Another common error is buying a game that is already in your PlayStation Plus library. Before you purchase anything, check the monthly games or the Extra/Premium catalog to see if it is already included. You can also add games to your library without downloading them, so you own them even if you delete them from your console.

Do not assume a game will stay in the library forever. Monthly games rotate out, and even Extra tier games can be removed (though Sony gives notice before this happens). If you love a game, buy it to keep permanent access.

Regional pricing and currency

PlayStation Plus prices are set in US dollars across the United States. If you live outside the US, prices are converted to your local currency and may be slightly different due to exchange rates and regional pricing policies. Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries have their own pricing structures.

If you travel or move, your subscription price may change based on your new region. You can check your current price in your account settings under Subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, if they use the same console. Anyone with an account on your PlayStation 4 or 5 can use your subscription for online play and the game library. If they use a different console, you would need a separate subscription for each console.

Do I lose my games if I cancel PlayStation Plus?

You lose access to the monthly rotating games and the Extra/Premium library. Games you purchased separately stay in your library forever. Your cloud saves are kept for up to six months after cancellation, so you can restart the subscription and pick up where you left off.

Is PlayStation Plus required to play every game online?

No. Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty Warzone do not require a subscription. However, most paid multiplayer games do require PlayStation Plus Essential or higher.

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

Yes. You pay the difference between what you already paid and the new tier's price, prorated for the remaining days in your billing cycle. The upgrade takes effect when ready.

What happens if my payment method fails?

Sony will attempt to charge your payment method again. If it fails multiple times, your subscription is suspended until you update your payment information. You keep your cloud saves during suspension, but you cannot play online or access the game library until the subscription is active again.