The PlayStation Now free trial period is 7 days. This allows new users to test out the on-demand game streaming service before committing to a paid subscription.
PlayStation Now grants access to a library of over 800 PS2, PS3 and PS4 games that can be streamed on PS4, PS5 or PC. New titles are added every month, so the free trial is a great way to experience the variety of gameplay available.
A Breakdown of the PlayStation Now Free Trial:
- The free trial lasts for 7 days starting when you first sign up.
- You can stream games directly on a PS4, PS5 or PC during the trial.
- Downloads are only available for PS4 games, which allows you to play them offline on a PS4 or PS5.
- Progress made during the free trial will carry over if you decide to subscribe after.
- There is no limit to how many games you can try out in the 7 days.
- After the free trial ends, the subscription will automatically continue at $9.99 per month unless canceled.
So in short, the PlayStation Now free trial gives you full access to the entire game catalog for 7 days before needing to pay. Take advantage of this week to experience the service and determine if it‘s worth subscribing to long-term.
Step-By-Step Guide to Getting the Free Trial
Getting started with the free trial only takes a few minutes:
Go to the PlayStation Now page on your PS4/PS5 or directly on the PlayStation website.
Select "Start Free Trial" and choose a subscription plan.
Enter your payment details. A valid credit/debit card or PayPal account is required to sign up.
Confirm your 7-day free trial.
Download any PS4 games you want to play offline.
Start streaming PS2, PS3 and PS4 games on your device of choice.
Cancel before the 7 days are up if you don‘t wish to continue with a paid subscription.
And that‘s it! You now have full access to the PlayStation Now game catalog for 7 days to play as much as you want.
What Happens When the Free Trial Ends?
Once your 7-day trial period ends, your subscription will automatically continue at the regular monthly rate of $9.99. You will be charged this amount to the payment method provided unless you cancel before the trial is over.
To avoid being charged, you must cancel your subscription through your PlayStation Account settings before the 7th day. Here are the steps:
Go to Settings > Account Management.
Select Subscriptions.
Choose your PlayStation Now subscription.
Turn off Auto-Renewal.
This will prevent the service from renewing into a paid membership at the end of the free trial.
If you do forget to cancel and get charged the $9.99, you can still cancel renewal for the following month to prevent further charges. But you will be out $9.99 for that first month after the trial ended.
So I highly recommend setting a reminder to cancel a few days before the 7 day trial ends. That way you can avoid accidentally getting billed for the service if you decided it wasn‘t for you.
Can I Cancel Before the Free Trial Ends?
Absolutely! You can cancel your PlayStation Now subscription at any time during the free trial to avoid being charged. Your access will simply expire at the end of the 7 day period.
To cancel, just follow the same steps outlined above:
- Go to Account Management
- Select Subscriptions
- Choose your PlayStation Now subscription
- Turn off Auto-Renewal
This will stop your membership from continuing after the trial. You‘ll still be able to enjoy the full 7 days of access even if you cancel on day 2 or 3.
What Payment Methods Can I Use for the Free Trial?
To sign up for the PlayStation Now free trial, you‘ll need to provide a valid credit/debit card or PayPal account. This is required even though you won‘t be charged until after the 7 days. Here are the accepted payment methods:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal account
Without one of these payment options added to your PlayStation account, you won‘t be able to get the free trial.
The good news is you can remove your payment method immediately after signing up if you want. Just be sure to turn off Auto-Renewal or you‘ll still get charged.
What Games Can I Play During the Free Trial?
The PlayStation Now game catalog includes over 800 PS2, PS3 and PS4 titles spanning various genres and franchises. New games are added every month while others are removed, so the library is constantly evolving.
Here are just a few of the most popular games available on PlayStation Now during the free trial:
| Game Title | Console |
|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption | PS3 |
| Mortal Kombat X | PS4 |
| NBA 2K16 | PS4 |
| Saints Row: The Third | PS3 |
| Sleeping Dogs | PS4 |
The full list of games rotates month to month. But the free trial gives you an opportunity to experience firsthand the diversity and depth of content available.
What Are the PlayStation Now Subscription Costs After the Free Trial?
Once your 7-day free trial expires, these are the PlayStation Now membership costs if you choose to continue:
- 1 month – $9.99
- 3 months – $24.99 ($8.33 per month)
- 12 months – $59.99 ($5 per month)
So you get a slight discount by committing to a longer 3 month or 12 month subscription compared to month-to-month.
The service renews automatically at your chosen interval until you cancel. There are usually discounted deals around the holidays and other times of year too.
Overall, the pricing is quite reasonable considering you get unlimited on-demand access to a library of hundreds of full games. It‘s one of the most affordable cloud gaming subscriptions available.
Does PlayStation Plus Offer a Free Trial?
PlayStation Plus does not currently offer an ongoing free trial like PlayStation Now. However, limited-time PS Plus free trials are sometimes available during special promotions and events.
For example, Sony has previously given away free 7-day PlayStation Plus trials to all users for an E3 event or to celebrate a new game launch.
So while not guaranteed, be on the lookout for occasional free trials for PS Plus by checking the PlayStation Blog or account settings for offers. Otherwise, you have to commit fully to a 1, 3 or 12 month membership.
Should I Subscribe to PlayStation Now After the Free Trial?
Whether or not PlayStation Now is worth subscribing to depends on your gaming preferences and habits. Here are a few key factors to consider:
Game library – Does the selection include titles you want to play? New games are added monthly, so the library may grow on you over time.
Internet speed – You‘ll need at least a 5 Mbps connection for smooth streaming. Faster is better.
Device usage – How often do you play on a PS4/PS5 vs. PC? Downloads are console only.
Budget – The monthly cost may or may not fit your gaming budget depending on how frequently you play.
My advice is to take advantage of the entire 7-day trial to get a sense of the performance, game options and overall value. This will help you determine if PlayStation Now is a good ongoing service for you after the free period ends.
In Summary:
- The PlayStation Now free trial is 7 days.
- No payment is required until the trial ends.
- Over 800 PS2, PS3 and PS4 games can be streamed.
- Downloads are only available for PS4 titles.
- Progress carries over if you decide to subscribe.
- Cancel before day 7 to avoid being charged $9.99 monthly.
- Use the full free trial to determine if the service is worth it for you.
So be sure to take full advantage of the free 7-day trial to experience PlayStation Now firsthand. Then decide if you want to continue with a paid membership or not after the trial is over.
