The best things in life are free – But is Final Fantasy XIV? One of the premier MMOs on the market, FFXIV has thousands of players globally, five expansions from the base game, and a seemingly endless variety of quests and features. But can you play FFXIV for free?
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Is Final Fantasy XIV Free?
FFXIV is a subscription-based game with a very generous free trial, meaning the game is initially free, but you have to pay for the more recent expansions and a subscription fee to keep playing.
Essentially you can start the free trial by downloading it, and play the game for as long as you want, completing the story up to the end of the second expansion, Stormblood. Then, once you purchase any additional expansion or subscription, your free trial ends and you’re a paying customer.
Image Credit: Square Enix
What Does Final Fantasy XIV’s Free Trial Include?
The FFXIV Free Trial is pretty large, and includes all content in the game up to level 70, and the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions. It’s easier, in fact, to list the restrictions on free trial players:
- Free Trial players can create up to 8 characters per Data Center.
- Characters on Free Trial accounts are capped at level 70.
- Free Trial accounts can hold a maximum of 300,000 gil.
- Free Trial players cannot use the “shout,” “yell,” or “tell” chat options.
- They cannot access the in-game market board.
- They cannot trade with other players.
- They cannot send letters via the moogle delivery service.
- They cannot hire retainers.
- They can join Linkshells or Cross-World Linkshells if invited, but cannot create new ones.
- They cannot create or join a Free Company.
- They can join parties if invited or through the Duty Finder, but cannot form their own parties.
- They cannot create or join a PvP team or play in Crystalline Conflict, Rival Wings, or Frontline.
- They cannot participate in Ultimate Raids.
The free trial is so expansive it’s spawned a very common copypasta:
“Did you know that the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV has a free trial, and includes the entirety of A Realm Reborn AND the award-winning Heavensward expansion AND the Stormblood expansion up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime? Sign up, and enjoy Eorzea today!”
Beyond this, FFXIV has crossplay, and can be played with players on multiple platform. As a result, it’s really one of the best MMOs on the market.
And if you’re looking for more info on the game, why not check out our detailed Dawntrail Patch Schedule article, which explains exactly when new patches and updates are coming to the game!