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PS Plus Monthly Games are a subscription benefit you claim; free-to-play games are games that can be accessed without buying the base game. You need an active PS Plus membership to keep playing claimed Monthly Games, but PlayStation says most free-to-play games do not require PS Plus—even for online multiplayer. The rules for a particular game can vary, so check its PlayStation Store listing.
Monthly Games and free-to-play games are different categories
Monthly Games are part of PlayStation Plus. PlayStation offers new titles to claim each month, and all three current plans—Essential, Extra, and Premium—include the benefit. Claiming a title adds access to it through your membership; it does not mean you own the game permanently. PlayStation says claimed PS Plus games remain accessible while your membership is active. See the PlayStation Plus plans and benefits for current details.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Free-to-play describes a game’s access or pricing model, not a PS Plus benefit. PlayStation gives Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone as examples of free-to-play games that generally do not require a membership. A game can be free-to-play without being one of that month’s Monthly Games.
Do you need PS Plus to play online?
For most free-to-play games, no. PlayStation says most can be played online without PS Plus. For most purchased PS4 and PS5 games, online multiplayer does require a subscription, whether you bought the game on disc or from the Store. These are general rules, not guarantees for every title: PlayStation advises checking the individual Store listing to see whether PS Plus is required for online play. See PlayStation Plus support.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
| Question | PS Plus Monthly Game | Free-to-play game |
|---|---|---|
| Is PS Plus needed to access the game? | Yes. It is a membership benefit, and access depends on an active membership. | Usually not for the base game; PlayStation says most free-to-play titles do not require membership. |
| Is PS Plus needed for online multiplayer? | Depends on the game; check its Store listing. | Usually not, but check the individual Store listing for exceptions. |
| What happens when PS Plus ends? | Access to claimed Monthly Games ends while the membership is inactive. | The free-to-play access model is separate from PS Plus; an individual game may have its own account or access terms. |
| Is the game part of a rotating catalog? | Monthly titles are offered to claim each month. | Not by virtue of being free-to-play; that label does not make a game a PS Plus Monthly Game. |
How Monthly Games differ from the Game Catalog
Monthly Games are included with Essential, Extra, and Premium. The Game Catalog is a separate benefit included with Extra and Premium, with titles added regularly; PlayStation notes that some catalog games have end dates. A title being in the Game Catalog does not make it a Monthly Game, and a free-to-play game is not automatically part of either benefit. Plan inclusions and availability are listed on PlayStation’s US PS Plus page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which PS Plus plan includes Monthly Games?
PlayStation’s current US plan page lists Monthly Games and online multiplayer for Essential, Extra, and Premium. Extra adds the Game Catalog; Premium adds the Classics Catalog, game trials, and cloud streaming. Streaming requirements and availability vary by region, so check the terms for your country before choosing a plan. The same US page says PS4 games will be added only intermittently starting in January 2026; this note is specific to that page and may change over time.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Rank #3
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Rank #2
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
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.
