PlayStation Plus is not free long term, but Sony sometimes offers free trials and promotions.
Not free long term
PlayStation Plus is a paid subscription with Essential, Extra and Premium tiers.
Ways to get it free or cheaper
- Free trials for new subscribers: Sony occasionally offers 14-day trials or promotions.
- Promotions with console bundles.
- Gift cards through Sony’s promotions and credit card rewards.
- Holiday sales (Black Friday deals reduce yearly price).
Avoid
Free code generators and hacks, which are scams that can steal your account.
Free to play
Online multiplayer for free-to-play games like Fortnite doesn’t need PS Plus.
Cost
Essential is about $79.99 per year (as of 2023 to 2024), and prices change.
Official
Check PlayStation Store.
Why it is not free
PlayStation Plus is a paid subscription. There is no permanent free tier, though some free to play games and some features can be used without it.
Cost of tiers
- Essential: online multiplayer, monthly games and cloud saves.
- Extra: adds a catalog of games to download.
- Premium: adds classic games, game trials and cloud streaming.
Prices vary by country and billing period. Annual plans cost less per month than monthly plans.
Legit ways to save
- Buy a 12 month plan during sales, often around Black Friday.
- Buy a gift card from an authorized store at a discount.
- Use promotional trials given in some regions, for new or returning subscribers.
- Bundles with consoles or controllers sometimes include a trial period.
Free multiplayer exceptions
Many free to play games like Fortnite, Warzone and Apex Legends do not require PlayStation Plus for online play. Some free weekends allow all players to try online play.
Warning about code generators
Sites that offer free codes or hacks are scams that steal account details or install malware. Sony can ban accounts that use illegal codes.
Check legitimacy
Purchase only from PlayStation Store, the console menu or authorized retailers.
Subscription tiers and cost
PlayStation Plus has three tiers in the US: Essential, Extra and Premium. In 2023, prices were about 79.99 USD per year for Essential, 134.99 USD for Extra and 159.99 USD for Premium, and recent price increases have changed these figures, so check the PlayStation Store for current rates. Essential includes online multiplayer for PS4 and PS5 games, monthly games and cloud storage of 100 GB. Extra adds a catalog of hundreds of games, and Premium adds classic games and cloud streaming. Online multiplayer is free for free to play games such as Fortnite, Warzone and Apex Legends. Sony often runs sales around Black Friday with discounts up to 25 to 30 percent for first year memberships.
Safe ways to save and what to avoid
Legitimate savings come from official promotions, discounted PSN gift cards from authorized retailers, trial offers for new subscribers or bundled deals with consoles. Sites offering free PS Plus codes, generators or “glitches” are scams, and they can steal account credentials or payment data, according to warnings from consumer protection sources. Never share your PlayStation Network password or two step verification code. Resold cut-rate codes from unauthorized sellers can be revoked or tied to stolen cards, which can lead to account bans. Sony’s terms prohibit unauthorized sharing of accounts.
Based on data from PlayStation Support and the FTC
