#18,8Free-to-play check · 2026
Is Final Fantasy XIV free to play?
Partly freeFree tier / trial
Partly — and generously so. Final Fantasy XIV's free trial includes the base game and the entire Heavensward expansion, up to level 70, with no time limit. Only the later expansions and a subscription require paying.
The free trial is one of the best deals in the genre: hundreds of hours of acclaimed story and dungeons for nothing, with the main limits being some social and market-board features. It's the ideal way to find out whether FFXIV clicks for you.
When you're ready for the newest expansions and full social features, you buy the game and take out a subscription. Until then, it's effectively a huge free MMORPG.
What's free in Final Fantasy XIV?
What you get without paying — and what costs extra.
Free
- Base game (A Realm Reborn)
- The entire Heavensward expansion
- Up to level 70, no time limit
- Hundreds of hours of story and dungeons
Costs money
- Stormblood and later expansions
- A subscription for the full game
- Some social features (free companies, market board)
Free alternatives to Final Fantasy XIV
Genuinely free to play — start any of these right now, no subscription.
| Game | Best for | Platforms | Browser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guild Wars 2 | No subscription, WvW | PC | — | 8.8 |
| Lost Ark | Action, Raids | PC | — | 8.2 |
| Star Wars: The Old Republic | Story, Sci-Fi | PC | — | 7.9 |
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#37,9How we check this
We base this on Final Fantasy XIV'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 Final Fantasy XIV free to play in 2026?
Partly — and generously so. Final Fantasy XIV's free trial includes the base game and the entire Heavensward expansion, up to level 70, with no time limit. Only the later expansions and a subscription require paying.
What are the best free alternatives to Final Fantasy XIV?
Great free-to-play alternatives include Guild Wars 2, Lost Ark, Star Wars: The Old Republic — all free to start with no subscription required.