I‘m guessing you‘re here because you‘ve heard great things about Final Fantasy XIV. All your gaming buds won‘t stop talking about how incredible this MMORPG is and you want to dive in to see what the hype is about.
But of course, nothing in life is free. So you want to know – is it possible to play FFXIV for free, or will you have to pony up a monthly fee?
Well friend, I‘ve got good news and bad news…
The bad news is: No, FFXIV is NOT free-to-play. After the generous free trial period, you gotta pay a subscription fee like the World of Warcraft model.
But don‘t uninstall just yet! The good news is: the FFXIV free trial gives you hundreds of hours of amazing gameplay with zero costs. And if you do decide to subscribe later, it‘s because this MMO delivers an incredible experience that‘s well worth the money.
Let me break it all down for you…
Can I really play FFXIV for free?
Yup, you can play through the entire original A Realm Reborn storyline and the masterful Heavensward expansion up to level 60 with no time limits. Hundreds of hours of gameplay, zero costs.
You‘ll only be limited in some social features like joining Free Companies (FFXIV‘s equivalent of guilds), yelling in newbie chat channels, and player trading on the open market.
So it‘s extremely generous compared to other MMO free trials. More than enough to experience the immersive story and diverse classes to see if you dig the vibe.
If you‘re still having a blast after hitting the level 60 cap, then you know FFXIV is worth paying for!
How much does a FFXIV subscription cost?
If you want to keep progressing past level 60, you‘ll need to buy the game and sign up for a subscription. Here are the current monthly rates:
- Entry subscription: $12.99 / £7.69 / €10.99
- Standard subscription: $14.99 / £8.99 / €12.99
- Premium subscription: $18.99 / £10.99 / €14.99
The Entry plan is great for newbies. Standard gives you more character slots on worlds, while Premium is for players with multiple characters.
You can save some cash by buying 3 or 6 month plans up front. And if you need a break, you can cancel anytime without penalties before the next billing cycle hits.
What do you get by subscribing?
A full FFXIV subscription gives you:
- Complete access to all current content up to level 90 cap
- No social restrictions – access Free Companies, marketboards, private chat channels
- All jobs/classes available to master without artificial gates
- Monthly allotment of bonus Crysta currency for cosmetics
- More retainers (bank alts) and saddlebag inventory space
- Ranked PvP matches and tournaments open to you
- No limits on amount of gil (gold) you can hoard
- Full crafting/gathering functionality to play the economy
And of course, you get all the new story and zone content as soon as updates launch every 3-4 months. No need to pay extra for expansions or story DLC like other MMOs.
What are the limitations as a free player?
Here are the main restrictions once your 30 free days with the Starter Edition run out:
- Max level capped at 60
- Max gil limited to 300,000
- No shouting/yelling in public chat channels
- Can‘t form or join a player guild (Free Company)
- Can‘t hire additional retainers (bank alts)
- Limited marketboard trading and sales caps
- No ranked PvP matches or tournaments
So it‘s designed to let you experience the core story and progression flow, while tempting you towards a paid sub to keep up with friends in endgame.
Very clever gating if you ask me!
How long is the FFXIV free trial?
This is the best part…
There are zero time limits on the FFXIV free trial! Traditional MMO trials are limited to 10-20 hours. FFXIV lets you play as long as you want up the level 60 cap.
Most players spend around 100 hours completing the A Realm Reborn storyline and associated dungeons/raids before hitting the 60 ceiling.
But take your time! There‘s no rush to pay the monthly sub. Savor the story and experiment with FFXIV‘s unique class switching system.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
No worries, canceling won‘t delete your characters or progression.
When your subscription runs out you simply revert to free trial status with social/level caps. But you keep everything and can resubscribe later to lift restrictions.
Just don‘t forget to cancel the auto-renewal in time if you want to take a break. You can always return whenever new content drops.
How does FFXIV‘s sub model compare to others?
| Game | Entry Subscription | Features |
|---|---|---|
| FFXIV | $12.99/month | All jobs/classes Free Companies Full crafting Bonus currency |
| World of Warcraft | $14.99/month | Level 50 cap Limited social No bonus currency |
| Elder Scrolls Online | $14.99/month | Craft bag Bonuses XP Currency caps |
FFXIV has one of the most generous "entry" subscriptions compared to other MMOs. You get full access to social systems and multiple classes without annoying progression gates.
The Standard sub adds more cosmetics, character slots, and retainers. But Entry has everything you need to experience the full breadth of jobs and content.
Okay, but is an FFXIV subscription really worth it?
As someone who‘s been grinding XP since the days of Everquest and Runescape classic, here‘s my take:
If you‘re a diehard MMORPG fan ready to sink 15+ hours a week, FFXIV‘s sub fee is 100% worth it. Dollar for dollar, it‘s one of the most content-rich and community-driven virtual worlds available today.
Some key factors that make FFXIV stand out:
- Constant content flow: new story, zones, and dungeons every 3-4 months
- Fun character progression: switching between all jobs on one character!
- Best-in-genre crafting/economy: super deep systems
- Customizable housing: build and decorate your dream home
- Socialexperience: make new friends, join Free Companies
- Respects your time: catch-up mechanicsso veterans don‘t pull too far ahead
The FFXIV team puts out updates on a reliable schedule like clockwork. That cadence justifies the ongoing sub cost. You feel like part of an evolving world, not just a cash grab.
Obviously it depends on your personal budget and playstyle needs. But for dedicated MMO gamers who want to live a second virtual life, the value is outstanding.
Casual gamers can also find fun by playing through new story releases then taking breaks between updates. Either way, FFXIV remains one of the top destinations for fantasy adventure and comradery.
Hope this insider take from a fellow gamer helps you decide! Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.
