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World of Warcraft (WoW) is free to try through level 20, but it is not permanently free to play. You can create an account and play the level-20 trial, including level-20 dungeons and quests, without a recurring payment. Continuing past level 20 requires either a subscription or non-recurring game time. Access to Blizzard’s current expansion, Midnight, also requires buying the expansion and maintaining active subscription or game time. Prices depend on your Battle.net region, so the authoritative amount is the price shown in your local Battle.net Shop.
What “free to play” means in WoW
WoW has a level-based free trial rather than an unlimited free-to-play version. Blizzard’s New Players Starter Guide, dated February 25, 2026, says that all playable content is free up to level 20, including level-20 dungeons and quests. Blizzard’s trial FAQ describes the same level-20 boundary.
The trial is not presented as a seven-day or 30-day offer that expires after a fixed number of calendar days. Your practical limit is character progression and access beyond level 20. You can take as long as you need to explore the trial content, then decide whether to pay for continued access.
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Once your character needs to progress beyond level 20, you must add paid game access. Blizzard lists two ways to do that:
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- A subscription: recurring WoW access, with the amount determined by your region and billing option.
- Non-recurring game time: prepaid access that does not automatically renew.
Buying the current expansion is a separate decision. A subscription or game-time purchase does not by itself unlock Midnight, and buying Midnight does not replace the active subscription or game-time requirement.
What the free trial includes
Level-20 progression limit
You can create and play trial characters through level 20. The level cap applies to the trial account, so reaching it is the point at which paid access becomes necessary for further leveling. The official guide specifically includes level-20 dungeons and quests among the playable trial content; it is not merely a tutorial or a short introductory scene.
No stated calendar expiration
Blizzard’s current trial information defines the free offering by playable level and content, not by a stated number of free days. That makes it useful for learning the controls, trying classes, and deciding whether the game’s subscription model suits you without racing a countdown.
What happens when you reach level 20
You can keep the trial account and character, but progression beyond the trial boundary requires paid game access. Before paying, check the regional Battle.net Shop because the available subscription and game-time products, currencies, and displayed prices can differ by country.
How paid WoW access works
Subscription access
Blizzard states that a WoW subscription provides access to World of Warcraft and WoW Classic. The subscription also gives access to the older expansion content that is part of the standard game service. It is the normal way to keep playing after level 20 when you want continuous access and automatic renewal.
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Subscription pricing is regional. Blizzard’s trial FAQ directs players to their regional Battle.net Shop rather than publishing one universal amount. The current official material used here does not establish a single worldwide monthly price, so a dollar figure from another country—or from an old price table—may be wrong for your account.
Non-recurring game time
Non-recurring game time is the alternative for players who do not want an automatic subscription renewal. It supplies paid access for the purchased period, but it does not change the other access rules: you still need paid game access after level 20, and you still need to purchase Midnight separately to enter that expansion.
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The Battle.net Shop may display different game-time durations and prices depending on your region. Because those offers can change, use the product page shown after selecting your account’s country and currency rather than relying on a universal price.
Do you have to buy the latest expansion?
Midnight is a separate purchase
Blizzard’s official Worldsoul Saga overview identifies Midnight as the latest expansion and explains that the expansion is purchased separately from the subscription. A subscription gives access to WoW and its included past content; it does not automatically grant access to the current expansion.
Midnight also needs active game access
To play Midnight, you need both parts of the purchase:
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- Buy an edition of Midnight through the Battle.net Shop.
- Maintain an active WoW subscription or non-recurring game time.
Expansion ownership alone is therefore insufficient. If your subscription or prepaid game time expires, owning Midnight does not keep the account playable in the expansion.
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Expansion editions and promotions are time-sensitive. Blizzard’s earlier Midnight pre-purchase announcement said that the purchase included The War Within and did not include future expansions. That announcement is useful context, but it is not a guarantee that every current edition has identical bonuses or inclusions. Read the live store listing for the exact edition, regional price, release terms, and included items before purchasing.
Current cost comparison
The following comparison separates the products that are often confused when people ask whether WoW is free.
| Option | What it unlocks | Payment type | Latest expansion included? | Price information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | Playable WoW content through level 20, including level-20 dungeons and quests | Free; no fixed trial duration is stated | No | Free; details in Blizzard’s trial FAQ |
| WoW subscription | WoW and WoW Classic access after level 20, including included past expansions | Recurring billing | No; Midnight is separate | Not stated universally; check your regional Battle.net Shop |
| Non-recurring game time | The same paid game-access requirement after level 20 for the purchased period | Prepaid, non-recurring | No; Midnight is separate | Not stated universally; check your regional Battle.net Shop |
| Midnight expansion | Access to the current expansion when combined with active game access | One-time expansion purchase, subject to edition terms | It is the latest expansion itself | Not stated universally; check the live regional store listing |
This table intentionally does not substitute the WoW Token price for a subscription price. They are different products and serve different purposes.
What the WoW Token is—and is not
The WoW Token is an in-game exchange mechanism, not the standard monthly subscription listing. Players can use the system to exchange in-game gold for game time or Battle.net Balance, subject to Blizzard’s rules and the options available in their region.
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At the time of the current US listing, Blizzard’s Battle.net product page shows a WoW Token price of US$20.00: WoW Token. That figure is for the token in the US store and is not evidence that a monthly subscription costs US$20.00. Token pricing, redemption choices, and availability can change, so check the product page for your own region.
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You are trying WoW for the first time
- Install the Battle.net app and create or sign in to a Blizzard account.
- Start WoW without purchasing a subscription or expansion.
- Play the trial content and level a character up to 20, including the available quests and dungeons.
- When you want to continue beyond level 20, open your regional Battle.net Shop and compare the subscription and non-recurring game-time products shown for your account.
This route lets you evaluate the game before paying and avoids buying an expansion before you know whether you want ongoing access.
You want uninterrupted, regular play
A subscription is the straightforward choice when you expect to play every month and are comfortable with recurring billing. Verify the renewal interval, currency, cancellation terms, and the exact product description in your regional store before confirming payment.
You play occasionally or want a fixed budget
Non-recurring game time avoids automatic renewal. It is useful when you plan to play for a defined period or only during particular releases. Track the game-time end date yourself; when it runs out, expansion ownership does not preserve access.
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First confirm that you have active subscription or game time for the period in which you will play. Then select the Midnight edition whose contents match your needs. Compare the live regional listings rather than assuming an older pre-purchase bundle, bonus, or included expansion still applies.
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
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Common cost and access mistakes
Confusing the free trial with permanent free play
“Free through level 20” does not mean every level, zone, or expansion is free forever. The trial boundary is level 20; paid access begins when you need to progress beyond it.
Assuming an expansion purchase replaces a subscription
Midnight is an add-on purchase. You need an active subscription or non-recurring game time as well as the expansion. Purchasing only the expansion will not satisfy the game-access requirement.
Using an old price table
Subscription and game-time prices vary by region and can change. A price quoted in US dollars, another currency, or an earlier article may not match your checkout total. The regional Battle.net Shop is the reliable place to confirm the current amount.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTreating the WoW Token as the monthly price
The US$20.00 figure shown for the US WoW Token is a token price, not a universal subscription fee. Keep those products separate when comparing costs.
Assuming every expansion edition has the same contents
Edition inclusions and promotions are volatile. Read the current Midnight store listing and check whether it names previous expansions, cosmetic items, early access, or other bonuses before paying.
Bottom line for new and returning players
Start free, but expect to pay for continued play. The level-20 trial is a genuine way to experience WoW without a time-limited countdown. Beyond level 20, choose either a regional subscription or non-recurring game time. If you want the current Midnight content, add that separate expansion purchase and keep your subscription or game time active. For exact costs, use the Battle.net Shop set to your country and currency; no single global subscription price is established by Blizzard’s current FAQ.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
