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For a new player who wants the current story and expansions, buy the Complete Edition. Square Enix lists it at $59.99 in North America and includes A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker and Dawntrail. Use the Free Trial first if you are still deciding. The $19.99 Starter Edition is cheaper but stops before Endwalker and Dawntrail, so you will need to add Dawntrail later. If you already own the full game, buy Dawntrail Standard Edition for $39.99; it is an expansion, not a standalone game. After included free play, Entry is the lower-cost subscription, while Standard is better if you need more characters or want a longer billing term.
Prices below are the North American listings checked in November 2026. Store prices, availability and platform rules can differ by country and change over time.
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| Name | Best for | Key spec | Free plan / price | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Trying the game before paying | A Realm Reborn through Stormblood; level cap 80 with gameplay restrictions | Free | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows, Mac, Steam, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions where offered | Nov 2026 |
| Starter Edition | Lower-cost paid entry | Base game through Shadowbringers; excludes Endwalker and Dawntrail | $19.99; includes 30 days of free play when eligible | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows, Mac, Steam, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions where offered | Nov 2026 |
| Complete Edition | New players wanting every listed expansion | A Realm Reborn through Dawntrail | $59.99; includes 30 days of free play when eligible | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows, Mac, Steam, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions where offered | Nov 2026 |
| Dawntrail Standard Edition | Players who already own the full game | Adds Endwalker and Dawntrail; requires a full-game license | $39.99; no 30-day period included | Matching platform and service account required | Nov 2026 |
| Entry subscription | One account with a small character roster | 8 characters per physical data center; 8 per World | $12.99 for 30 days | Platform-specific billing | Nov 2026 |
| Standard subscription | More characters or planned longer-term play | 40 characters per physical data center; 8 per World | $14.99 for 30 days; $41.97 for 90; $77.94 for 180 | Platform-specific billing | Nov 2026 |
Which FFXIV edition should a new player buy?
Choose the Complete Edition if you expect to continue past the trial and want the current expansion lineup without another purchase. Choose the Starter Edition only when its lower upfront price matters and you are comfortable postponing Endwalker and Dawntrail. The official product comparison lists Starter at $19.99 and Complete at $59.99.
The difference is not merely cosmetic. Starter grants the base game and content through Shadowbringers, while Complete includes that same foundation plus Endwalker and Dawntrail. Buying Starter does not permanently lock you out of later content; you can add Dawntrail afterward. However, the combined cost and extra checkout make Complete the simpler route for a new player who already knows they want the full current story.
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Does the Complete Edition include all expansions?
It includes every expansion listed on Square Enix’s current North American comparison: A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, Endwalker and Dawntrail. That makes it the all-in-one purchase for a new account at the time of this article. Future expansions or changes to the product lineup would be separate decisions, so check the comparison page before paying.
Complete is a game license, not an unlimited subscription. The purchase includes 30 days of free play when the account and platform are eligible; after that period, an active subscription is required for continued full-game access. The free period can be applied only once per platform on a service account and does not apply on a platform where a license was already registered.
Can I play Final Fantasy 14 for free?
Yes. The Free Trial is the safest starting point if you are unsure whether the game suits you. Square Enix lists trial access through A Realm Reborn, Heavensward and Stormblood, with a level cap of 80 and gameplay restrictions. The same comparison lists 18 jobs for the trial/base scope, compared with 22 for the full game; these page details can change with later updates.
A trial account is not the same as owning Starter or Complete. Restrictions are intentional, and the paid license removes the trial limitations while unlocking the later expansions included with your edition. If you buy a paid license, you generally cannot return that account to trial status, so use the trial before registering a purchase when you are undecided.
The trial is also useful for testing practical factors such as your preferred platform, controller setup and connection. It lets you learn the early systems without spending on a license or subscription. Once you decide to continue, purchase the edition that matches the service account you intend to keep.
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Do I need to buy Dawntrail if I am new?
No. A new player does not need to buy Dawntrail separately. Complete Edition already includes Endwalker and Dawntrail, while Starter is the lower-priced entry that stops at Shadowbringers and can be upgraded later.
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What does the 30-day free play period cover?
Starter and Complete purchases include 30 days of free play if the account qualifies. The period is applied once per platform on a service account; it is not a recurring monthly benefit. It also does not apply to a platform on which that service account already registered a license.
Dawntrail alone does not grant another 30 days. This is why an existing player should budget for a subscription when buying the expansion, while a new Complete or Starter buyer can use the included time before the first recurring charge. Confirm the service account and platform at checkout, because entitlements and free-play eligibility are account-specific.
Which FFXIV subscription is better: Entry or Standard?
Entry costs $12.99 for 30 days and allows up to eight characters per physical data center. Standard costs $14.99 for 30 days and raises that allowance to 40 characters per physical data center. Both plans allow up to eight characters per World, so the key difference is the total roster across Worlds in the same physical data center.
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| Plan | Listed North American price | Character allowance | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, 30 days | $12.99 | 8 per physical data center; 8 per World | A single main character or a small number of alts, with month-to-month flexibility |
| Standard, 30 days | $14.99 | 40 per physical data center; 8 per World | Players who want the larger allowance without prepaying several months |
| Standard, 90 days | $41.97, equivalent to $13.99 per 30 days | 40 per physical data center; 8 per World | Someone confident they will play for roughly a quarter |
| Standard, 180 days | $77.94, equivalent to $12.99 per 30 days | 40 per physical data center; 8 per World | Long-term players who can pay six months in advance |
These are the current figures on Square Enix’s subscription-fees page, checked November 2026. Prices are subject to change under the user agreement. The six-month Standard term has the lowest listed per-30-day equivalent, but it requires the largest upfront payment and is less flexible if you stop playing.
When should I choose Entry?
Entry is the sensible budget plan when eight characters per physical data center is enough. A player who keeps one main character, or only a few alternate characters, may never use Standard’s larger allowance. Its 30-day term also limits your commitment to one billing period at a time.
There are two important qualifications. Entry cannot be used with a game time card or code, according to the official subscription information. Also, the eight-character limit is per physical data center, not eight total characters worldwide; moving between data centers does not create unlimited space.
When is Standard worth paying for?
Standard is worth the extra $2 for a 30-day term if you expect to maintain many characters across a physical data center, want the option of up to 40, or prefer not to think about the Entry restriction. It is also the only tier in this comparison with 90-day and 180-day billing options.
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The longer terms trade flexibility for a lower listed equivalent. Ninety days works when you are confident you will play through a season or content cycle. The 180-day option matches Entry’s listed $12.99-per-30-day equivalent, but you pay $77.94 up front and cannot treat it like a month-to-month trial.
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How should I buy FFXIV without registering the wrong license?
Have your target platform, country store and Square Enix service account ready before checkout. Licenses and entitlements are platform- and account-specific enough that selecting the wrong store can leave the purchase attached to an account you did not intend to use.
- Start with the Free Trial. Use it to confirm that you enjoy the game and that your chosen platform is the one you want for the long term.
- Identify your account status. If you have no paid license, you are choosing between Starter and Complete. If you already own the full game, you are choosing an expansion, not another base-game edition.
- Pick the edition. Select Complete for all currently listed expansions, Starter for the lower-cost base purchase, or Dawntrail Standard only when a full-game license is already registered.
- Match the platform and service account. Check whether you are buying through PlayStation, Xbox, Windows, Mac, Steam or Nintendo Switch 2, and verify the account shown during redemption.
- Use the included free play correctly. Starter and Complete provide 30 days only when eligible; Dawntrail does not add another free month.
- Choose a subscription after the free period. Select Entry for the smaller roster, or Standard for 40 characters per physical data center or a 90-/180-day term.
What platform and region rules matter?
The prices in this guide come from Square Enix’s North American pages and are not universal. Check the store for your country and platform immediately before purchase. Currency, taxes, availability and billing arrangements can differ.
The official product and subscription material lists PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows, Mac, Steam, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. Xbox payment is represented through FFXIV Coins, and the product information says an active Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate plan is required for Xbox play. PlayStation Plus is not required for PlayStation play.
Nintendo Switch 2 subscription terms are version-specific. The official page says the subscription is valid only for that version, Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required, and eligible users with an active FFXIV subscription on another platform receive a 50% subscription discount. Treat those as platform-specific terms and verify the current listing before relying on them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which purchase fits common player situations?
- I have never played: Use Free Trial first, then Complete if you want the full current lineup.
- I want the cheapest paid start: Starter costs $19.99 and covers through Shadowbringers; add Dawntrail later if you continue.
- I already own the full game through Endwalker: Buy Dawntrail Standard Edition, not Starter or Complete again.
- I only play one character: Entry’s eight-per-physical-data-center allowance is likely sufficient.
- I maintain several alts or want a prepaid discount: Standard provides 40 per physical data center and 90-day or 180-day terms.
- I play on Xbox or Switch 2: Read the platform-specific payment and membership conditions before checkout.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Do not buy Dawntrail as if it were a standalone game; it requires a full-game license.
- Do not assume Starter includes Endwalker or Dawntrail; it does not on the current comparison.
- Do not count on a second free month when adding Dawntrail.
- Do not assume North American prices apply in another region.
- Do not redeem a code on a different service account or platform and expect the entitlement to move automatically.
- Do not choose six-month Standard solely for the lower equivalent price if you may stop playing soon.
- Do not expect Entry to accept a game time card or code.
How we picked the recommendations
The recommendations follow the official included-content, license, free-play, character-limit, platform and North American price information. Complete ranks first for new players because it combines every expansion currently listed in one purchase. Starter is the lower-cost alternative when delaying the latest expansions is acceptable; Dawntrail is reserved for existing full-game owners. Subscription advice weighs the character allowance, billing flexibility and listed per-30-day equivalent rather than assuming every player values the same commitment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade from Starter Edition to Complete Edition later?
The practical route is to add the missing expansion access to the same service account rather than creating a second account. Before paying, verify the store’s current upgrade and entitlement instructions for your platform, because licenses are tied to the account and platform where they are registered.
Does buying the game let me keep playing without a subscription?
No. Starter and Complete supply a one-time 30-day free-play period when eligible, but continued access to the full game requires an active subscription afterward. The Free Trial is the separate no-subscription option and retains its listed restrictions.
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Can I use one FFXIV subscription on every platform?
Your service account can have platform-specific licenses, but the purchase and entitlement rules depend on the platform store. Confirm the account, platform version and billing method before buying; Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2 have additional terms described on the official subscription page.
Is the 180-day Standard plan refundable if I stop playing?
Square Enix’s subscription information lists its price and billing period but does not establish a refund policy. Review the current user agreement and platform-store terms before selecting a prepaid term.
