#17,8Free-to-play check · 2026
Is Elden Ring free to play?
No — it isn't freePaid game
No. Elden Ring is a full-price, buy-to-play game. There's no free version, no free-to-play tier and no official free trial — you buy it once and own it.
Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion are premium purchases, and FromSoftware has never offered a free-to-play mode or trial. Sales knock the price down now and then, but that's as close to free as it gets.
If what you're really after is a huge open world and demanding combat without paying, a few free MMORPGs get part of the way there. None copies the exact Souls feel, but the exploration and tough fights carry over.
What's free in Elden Ring?
What you get without paying — and what costs extra.
Free
- No free trial or free-to-play tier
Costs money
- The base game (one-time purchase)
- Shadow of the Erdtree expansion
- Occasional sale discounts
Free alternatives to Elden Ring
Genuinely free to play — start any of these right now, no subscription.
| Game | Best for | Platforms | Browser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throne and Liberty | Open World, PvPvE | PC, PlayStation, Xbox | — | 7.8 |
| Lost Ark | Action, Raids | PC | — | 8.2 |
| Guild Wars 2 | No subscription, WvW | PC | — | 8.8 |
#17,8
#28,2
#38,8How we check this
We base this on Elden Ring's official pricing model (as of 2026), separating what's permanently free from trials and paid expansions. We only recommend alternatives that genuinely start free — with no paid placements.
FAQ
Is Elden Ring free to play in 2026?
No. Elden Ring is a full-price, buy-to-play game. There's no free version, no free-to-play tier and no official free trial — you buy it once and own it.
What are the best free alternatives to Elden Ring?
Great free-to-play alternatives include Throne and Liberty, Lost Ark, Guild Wars 2 — all free to start with no subscription required.