Can you play online on PS5 without PS Plus? Free-to-play games, free multiplayer weekends, and which tier you need

2026-11-07 · PS Plus

Quick answer: for most paid games, whether on disc or downloaded from PlayStation Store, online multiplayer on PS5 and PS4 requires a PlayStation Plus membership. The big exception is most free-to-play games. Sony names Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone as examples that work online without a membership.

Here's how to check a specific game, what still works without PS Plus, and which tier to pick if online play is all you want.

What needs PS Plus and what doesn't

When you need PS Plus to play online
When you need PS Plus to play online

PS Plus required: online modes in paid games, such as online co-op and PvP in EA Sports FC, the full Call of Duty releases, GTA Online, or summoning other players in Elden Ring. The single-player campaign still works without a membership.

PS Plus not required: most free-to-play games with online modes. In-game purchases in those games, like battle passes and currency, don't need a membership either.

Heads up: "free-to-play means no membership" is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee. Some games have their own requirements, so check the PlayStation Store listing before you commit.

Check any game in a minute

1. Open the game in PlayStation Store on your console, in the PlayStation App, or on the web.

2. Scroll down to the game info section with the rating, languages, and features.

3. Look for the online play note. If it says online play requires PlayStation Plus, you'll only get the offline part without a membership.

4. Free game with no such note? You're good to play online.

Need a membership for online play? Find PS Plus for your own account in the Matrix Store subscriptions section.

Free multiplayer weekends

A few times a year, Sony runs free online multiplayer weekends: for a couple of days, online modes in paid games open up to everyone with no membership. Sony and gaming sites announce them ahead of time. It's an easy way to test a game's online mode before you pay for PS Plus.

Which tier do you need?

PS Plus tiers and online play
PS Plus tiers and online play

Online multiplayer is included with every tier: Essential, Extra, and Premium. If online play is all you need, Essential covers it. Extra adds the Game Catalog, and Premium adds Classics, Game Trials, and cloud streaming. See our PS Plus tiers guide for the full breakdown.

Every tier also gets you cloud storage for saves and Share Play, which lets a friend play your game from their own console.

Common questions

My membership expired. What happens to my games? Games you bought stay yours. You lose online play in paid games until you renew. Monthly Games you claimed come back when your membership is active again.

Does another user on my PS5 get online play too? Yes, on your primary console other users can share your PS Plus benefits. Our primary console guide shows how to turn it on.

Do I need PS Plus for voice chat? Not for chatting in a free-to-play game. If your party is playing a paid game online, the game itself still needs PS Plus.

Want a hand?

We'll set up PS Plus on your account and help you pick co-op games. Pay with USDT. Questions? Message us in the bot @matrix_eng_bot or our manager on Telegram.

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