Hey there dance lover! With so many Just Dance options out there, I‘m sure you‘ve wondered whether Just Dance Now is free or not. Let me start right off by answering that clearly:
Yes, Just Dance Now is free to download and play in a limited capacity.
However, it does have in-app purchases available and is not as fully featured as the paid main Just Dance console and PC games.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll break down all the key differences between the various Just Dance versions, show you how to maximize your song library affordably, and explain why Just Dance is such an amazing workout too!
As a gaming and fitness fanatic myself, I‘ve played every Just Dance release over the past decade. My goal is to help you figure out the best way to enjoy these awesome music and dance games based on your budget and interests. Let‘s dive in!
Overview of the Main Just Dance Games
The core Just Dance franchise is the major console and computer releases that come out every year around October/November. The latest entry is Just Dance 2022, with previous versions being 2021, 2020, 2019, and so on.
Each new game features around 40-50 completely brand new songs, along with updated graphics, modes, and gameplay mechanics. They are available for purchase on platforms like:
- PlayStation 4 and 5
- Xbox One and Series X/S
- Nintendo Switch
- Google Stadia
- PC
These mainline Just Dance games provide the full experience with the largest catalogs of songs. However, they do require an upfront purchase typically $25-60 USD depending on the platform and edition.
Some good news though – most of the latest Just Dance releases offer:
- Free demos – Try out select songs at no cost to see if you like them.
- Free 1-month trials of Just Dance Unlimited – Gains you access to hundreds of extra songs.
So while the flagship Just Dance console and PC games aren‘t 100% free, you can test them out risk-free before deciding if buying is worthwhile for you.
Diving Into Just Dance Now – The Free Mobile App
separate from the core series is Just Dance Now. This is a mobile app available for free on iOS, Android, and even desktop browsers.
Rather than being a large upfront purchase, Just Dance Now allows you to:
- Download and play for free – The app itself is always free.
- Pay small amounts for additional songs – Optional in-app purchases let you buy "Coins."
- Stream songs on demand – Requires an internet connection to play.
- Use your phone‘s camera as motion tracking – No accessories needed!
- Play multiplayer online or with friends – Dance together for extra fun.
This makes Just Dance Now super convenient and accessible. However, there are some downsides:
- Smaller music catalog – Around 140 songs vs. 400-500 in main games.
- No Just Dance Unlimited – Can‘t access full back catalog of songs.
- Repeat purchases of same song – Need to re-buy coins to replay favorites.
Overall, Just Dance Now serves as a nice free trial of the experience, but lacks the full content library and features of the paid console/PC versions.
Unlocking Thousands of Songs with Just Dance Unlimited
This brings us to Just Dance Unlimited, Ubisoft‘s premium subscription-based streaming service. It works in conjunction with the full Just Dance console and computer releases.
Here‘s an overview of how Just Dance Unlimited works:
- Access entire back-catalog of songs – Play your favorites from past Just Dance editions.
- Constantly growing music library – New songs added all the time.
- Seamlessly integrated into latest game – Streams songs right in Just Dance 2022.
- Can play downloaded songs offline – Internet not required after initial download.
- Pricing – $25 USD for 12 months or $3 per month after free trial ends.
By paying a recurring fee, you can access thousands of songs spanning Just Dance‘s entire history. This massively expands the available music when playing the latest entry.
Most new Just Dance releases come with a free 1-month trial of Just Dance Unlimited too! This lets you test out the service before committing any money.
It‘s a great way to experience ten years of Just Dance songs and see if you find value in the larger catalog before your trial ends.
Smart Ways to Play Just Dance 2023 for Free
The most recent game is Just Dance 2023, which just launched in October 2022.
If you‘re hoping to try Just Dance 2023 for free, here are some clever ideas I‘ve used myself:
- Download the 2-song demo – Gives a small taste on consoles.
- Ask a friend who owns it – Borrow or play together at their place.
- Find used copies and resell – Buy pre-owned then recoup costs later.
- Rent from a video store – Some still offer game rentals.
- Use return policies – Buy then return after playing if allowed.
While there‘s no way to get the full Just Dance 2023 free forever, you can try before you buy with demos or used copies. This chart shows the average costs to try it yourself:
Method | Cost |
---|---|
Download Demo | Free |
Friend‘s Copy | Free |
Used from GameStop | $35 |
1 Week Rental | $9 |
Buy & Return | $0-10 restock fee potentially |
As you can see, you have some budget-friendly options to test Just Dance 2023 before fully purchasing.
Tips for Maximizing Your Song Library Affordably
I know we‘d all love unlimited Just Dance songs for free forever, but sadly that‘s just a dream!
However, over the years I‘ve learned some great tips for building your song collection without breaking the bank:
- Only buy every 2-3 years – Songs repeat over editions, so you can skip purchasing some years.
- Purchase pre-owned copies – Save an average of $20 vs new.
- Use free trial periods – Test Unlimited before subscribing.
- Look for holiday sales – Black Friday and Christmas sales offer big discounts on Just Dance every year.
- Game share with a friend – Take turns buying and share downloaded songs.
- Dance to YouTube videos – Fan uploads of Just Dance gameplay provide free dances!
I like to buy only every other year or every three years, and purchase pre-owned to get great savings. This chart shows a cost comparison over 6 years:
Strategy | 6 Year Cost |
---|---|
Buying new every year | $300 |
Buying new every 2 years | $180 |
Buying used every 2 years | $120 |
Buying new every 3 years | $150 |
As you can see, being smart with buying cycles and pre-owned copies saves a ton!
Just Dance is an Amazing Full Body Workout
Beyond being super fun, Just Dance also provides an awesome cardio workout suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Here‘s why it works so well:
- Moderate intensity – Gets your heart pumping but low impact.
- Full body movement – Engages legs, core, arms, glutes, etc.
- Aerobic conditioning – Boosts lung capacity and endurance.
- Burns up to 400 calories per hour – Great calorie burn for weight loss.
- Adjustable intensity – Play more songs in a row for greater challenge.
- Low impact – Much easier on joints vs. high-impact workouts.
- Motivating and social – Fun groups make it easy to stick to.
Multiple research studies have shown Just Dance improves fitness and helps people lose weight. For example:
- A 12 week study found Just Dance helped overweight children lose weight without any dietary changes.
- In 8 weeks, elderly adults saw increased mobility and reduction in back pain.
- Just one 30 minute session can burn 200 calories, which adds up fast!
The magic is that Just Dance disguises exercise as playtime. Before you know it, you‘ve gotten an amazing workout dancing to great songs!
Let‘s Keep Dancing!
I hope this guide gave you all the details on whether Just Dance Now is free, the best ways to experience Just Dance affordably, and why it‘s such a phenomenal workout too.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Just Dance Now is free to download, but has in-app purchases and less content than paid versions.
- Full console/PC Just Dance games require purchase but offer demos and free trials.
- Just Dance Unlimited unlocks thousands of songs via paid subscription.
- Smart buying and selective upgrades keep costs low long-term.
- Just Dance provides a super fun and effective full body workout!
At the end of the day, Just Dance is all about having fun with friends and family. There are options to suit any budget so you can enjoy dancing your heart out.
Now get out there, be active, and bust some moves with Just Dance! And let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to chat more dance tips.