PlayStation Plus pricing by tier

PlayStation Plus has three subscription tiers, each with different pricing and features. The Essential tier costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. The Extra tier costs $17.99 per month or $179.99 per year. The Premium tier costs $23.99 per month or $239.99 per year. These are the standard U.S. prices as of now, though prices may change and vary by region.

If you pay monthly, you can cancel anytime without penalty. Annual subscriptions lock you in for 12 months but cost less per month than paying month-to-month. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want a temporary break without losing your membership.

PlayStation also occasionally runs promotional pricing, especially during holiday periods or when new features launch. Checking the PlayStation Store directly before you buy will show you any current offers in your region.

Key Takeaways

  • Essential tier at $11.99 monthly includes online multiplayer, monthly free games, and cloud storage for saves.
  • Extra tier at $17.99 monthly adds a catalog of several hundred PS4 and PS5 games you can read and play.
  • Premium tier at $23.99 monthly includes everything in Extra plus classic PlayStation games, game trials, and cloud streaming.
  • Annual subscriptions cost less per month than paying monthly, but require a 12-month commitment.
  • You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your membership or paying during the pause.

What Essential tier includes

Essential is the base tier and the closest to the original PlayStation Plus. It gives you online multiplayer for PS5 and PS4 games, which means you need this subscription to play online with other people. It also includes two free games each month that you can read and keep as long as your subscription is active.

Essential members get 100 GB of cloud storage for game saves, so you can back up your progress and access it from any PS5 or PS4 console. You also receive exclusive discounts on games and add-ons in the PlayStation Store, though the discount percentage varies by title.

What Extra tier includes

Extra includes everything in Essential, plus access to a game catalog with several hundred titles. These are mostly PS4 and PS5 games, and the exact list changes monthly as Sony adds and removes titles. You read these games directly to your console and play them offline if you want.

The catalog typically includes recent releases, older popular games, and indie titles, but it does not include every game ever made. New releases usually arrive in the catalog months after launch, not on day one. You can browse the full current catalog on the PlayStation Store before you subscribe, so you can see what is actually available right now.

What Premium tier includes

Premium includes everything in Extra, plus access to classic PlayStation games from the original PlayStation, PS2, and PSOne. These are emulated versions, not the original discs, and the selection is smaller than the modern game catalog. Premium also includes game trials, which let you play certain new releases for up to two hours before you decide to buy.

Premium members can stream games over the internet using PlayStation Plus Premium Cloud Streaming, which means you can play games on compatible devices without downloading them to your console. This feature requires a strong internet connection and works on PS5, PS4, and some other devices. Streaming quality depends on your internet speed and the device you are using.

How to check your current subscription status

On your PS5 or PS4, go to Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions. You will see your current tier, your renewal date, and how much time remains on your subscription. From this same menu, you can change your tier, pause your subscription, or cancel.

You can also check your subscription on the PlayStation website by signing into your account and going to Account Settings, then Subscriptions. This shows the same information and lets you make changes from a computer or phone if you prefer not to use your console.

Switching between tiers

If you are on Essential and want to upgrade to Extra or Premium, you can do so anytime. Your new tier takes effect when ready, and you will be charged a prorated amount for the remaining days of your current billing period. For example, if you have 15 days left on Essential and upgrade to Extra, you pay only for those 15 days at the Extra price.

Downgrading from a higher tier to a lower one also takes effect when ready. You keep your current tier until your next billing date, then the lower tier begins. If you downgrade mid-month, you do not get a refund for the difference.

Regional pricing differences

PlayStation Plus prices vary by country and region. The prices listed here are for the United States. Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other regions have their own pricing in local currency. If you travel or move to a different region, your subscription price may change when you renew.

Some regions also have different tier names or features. For example, some countries offer a PlayStation Plus Deluxe tier instead of Premium, with slightly different pricing. Check the PlayStation Store in your region to see the exact tiers and prices available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, through console sharing. If you set your PS5 or PS4 as your account's primary console, other user accounts on that console can use your subscription. Family members on other consoles cannot access your subscription unless they are using a shared console.

Do I lose my games if my subscription expires?

Games from the Extra and Premium catalogs become unplayable once your subscription ends, but games you purchased outright remain yours. The two free games from Essential each month are tied to your subscription and lock if it expires, though you can redownload them if you resubscribe later.

Is there a free trial for PlayStation Plus?

PlayStation occasionally offers free trial periods, usually for new subscribers or during promotional events. Check the PlayStation Store to see if a trial is currently available in your region. Trial lengths vary and are not may provide year-round.

What happens if I pause my subscription?

While paused, you cannot play online multiplayer or access the game catalogs. Your subscription time does not count down during the pause. You can resume anytime within the three-month pause window, and your membership picks up where it left off.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

PlayStation's refund policy for subscriptions is strict. If you cancel within 14 days of purchase and have not used the service significantly, you may be able to request a refund through the PlayStation Support website. After 14 days or with heavy use, refunds are typically not available.