{"id":12839,"date":"2025-02-24T13:58:04","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T13:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=12839"},"modified":"2025-02-24T13:58:04","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T13:58:04","slug":"is-online-free-on-ps4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/","title":{"rendered":"Is online free on PS4?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#Is_Online_Play_Free_on_PS4_A_Comprehensive_Guide\" title=\"Is Online Play Free on PS4? A Comprehensive Guide\">Is Online Play Free on PS4? A Comprehensive Guide<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#Why_the_Shift_to_Paid_Online\" title=\"Why the Shift to Paid Online?\">Why the Shift to Paid Online?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#The_Rising_Costs_of_Online_Infrastructure\" title=\"The Rising Costs of Online Infrastructure\">The Rising Costs of Online Infrastructure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#Closed_Ecosystem_Control\" title=\"Closed Ecosystem Control\">Closed Ecosystem Control<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#PlayStation_Plus_What_You_Need_To_Know\" title=\"PlayStation Plus: What You Need To Know\">PlayStation Plus: What You Need To Know<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#PlayStation_Plus_Essential\" title=\"PlayStation Plus Essential\">PlayStation Plus Essential<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#PlayStation_Plus_Extra\" title=\"PlayStation Plus Extra\">PlayStation Plus Extra<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#PlayStation_Plus_Premium\" title=\"PlayStation Plus Premium\">PlayStation Plus Premium<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#PlayStation_Network_Account\" title=\"PlayStation Network Account\">PlayStation Network Account<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#Staying_Connected_on_PS4\" title=\"Staying Connected on PS4\">Staying Connected on PS4<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#1_How_much_does_PlayStation_Plus_cost_per_month\" title=\"1. How much does PlayStation Plus cost per month?\">1. How much does PlayStation Plus cost per month?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#2_Can_I_play_free-to-play_games_online_without_PlayStation_Plus\" title=\"2. Can I play free-to-play games online without PlayStation Plus?\">2. Can I play free-to-play games online without PlayStation Plus?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#3_What_are_some_popular_free-to-play_games_on_PS4\" title=\"3. What are some popular free-to-play games on PS4?\">3. What are some popular free-to-play games on PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#4_Is_PlayStation_Network_free\" title=\"4. Is PlayStation Network free?\">4. Is PlayStation Network free?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#5_What_happens_if_my_PlayStation_Plus_subscription_lapses\" title=\"5. What happens if my PlayStation Plus subscription lapses?\">5. What happens if my PlayStation Plus subscription lapses?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#6_Can_I_play_online_with_friends_who_have_a_different_PlayStation_tier_than_me\" title=\"6. Can I play online with friends who have a different PlayStation tier than me?\">6. Can I play online with friends who have a different PlayStation tier than me?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#7_Why_do_I_need_PlayStation_Plus_to_play_online_but_not_on_PC\" title=\"7. Why do I need PlayStation Plus to play online, but not on PC?\">7. Why do I need PlayStation Plus to play online, but not on PC?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#8_How_do_I_check_my_PlayStation_Plus_subscription_status\" title=\"8. How do I check my PlayStation Plus subscription status?\">8. How do I check my PlayStation Plus subscription status?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#9_Can_I_cancel_my_PlayStation_Plus_subscription_at_any_time\" title=\"9. Can I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription at any time?\">9. Can I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription at any time?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#10_Is_it_possible_to_play_online_without_an_internet_connection\" title=\"10. Is it possible to play online without an internet connection?\">10. Is it possible to play online without an internet connection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#11_How_do_I_set_up_an_internet_connection_on_my_PS4\" title=\"11. How do I set up an internet connection on my PS4?\">11. How do I set up an internet connection on my PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#12_What_internet_speed_is_recommended_for_online_gaming_on_PS4\" title=\"12. What internet speed is recommended for online gaming on PS4?\">12. What internet speed is recommended for online gaming on PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#13_Will_PlayStation_Plus_be_required_when_Sony_no_longer_supports_PS4\" title=\"13.  Will PlayStation Plus be required when Sony no longer supports PS4?\">13.  Will PlayStation Plus be required when Sony no longer supports PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#14_What_is_the_difference_between_PlayStation_Plus_and_PlayStation_Now\" title=\"14. What is the difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?\">14. What is the difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#15_Why_do_some_games_have_online_features_while_others_dont\" title=\"15. Why do some games have online features while others don&#8217;t?\">15. Why do some games have online features while others don&#8217;t?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Online_Play_Free_on_PS4_A_Comprehensive_Guide\"><\/span>Is Online Play Free on PS4? A Comprehensive Guide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The simple answer is: <strong>No, online play is generally not free on the PlayStation 4 (PS4)<\/strong>. While there are exceptions, the vast majority of online multiplayer games on the PS4 require an active <strong>PlayStation Plus subscription<\/strong> to access their online features. This means that to play games with friends or other players online, you&#8217;ll need to pay a recurring fee. This model has been in place since 2010 when Sony introduced its premium subscription service on top of the free PlayStation Network (PSN) platform.<\/p>\n<p>While this may be frustrating for some players who are used to free online gaming on other platforms, it is important to understand the reasons behind this model. The costs associated with maintaining the servers that host online multiplayer gaming are significant. This was the primary reason for moving away from a free service; to ensure the <strong>quality and stability<\/strong> of the online gaming experience. Sony needed to implement a subscription fee to cover these costs.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not all bad news though. While most games necessitate a PlayStation Plus subscription for online access, there is a specific category of games that bypass this requirement: <strong>Free-to-Play titles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>These free-to-play games offer access to online multiplayer without the need for a PlayStation Plus subscription. This allows players to jump into various experiences with friends and other online players, entirely free of charge. Some of the more popular free-to-play games on the PS4 are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fortnite<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Apex Legends<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Rocket League<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Brawlhalla<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>MY HERO ULTRA RUMBLE<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_the_Shift_to_Paid_Online\"><\/span>Why the Shift to Paid Online?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Rising_Costs_of_Online_Infrastructure\"><\/span>The Rising Costs of Online Infrastructure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The initial online services offered on the PlayStation 3 were free to use. However, as the online gaming landscape expanded and became more complex, the servers needed to support it became increasingly expensive to run. The quality of free service would decrease because of the increasing costs. It wasn&#8217;t sustainable. Sony decided to implement a subscription model, ensuring they could maintain a high-quality online experience for their users.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Closed_Ecosystem_Control\"><\/span>Closed Ecosystem Control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The other crucial factor is the nature of consoles as a <strong>closed ecosystem<\/strong>. Sony, like Microsoft and Nintendo, has complete control over what happens on their platform. Unlike the PC gaming space, where various online gaming services and platforms operate independently, console online play is routed through the console manufacturer&#8217;s servers. This means the manufacturers can set the rules and costs to access that infrastructure. This contrasts with platforms like Steam where the servers and networks are not run by them and are more open.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PlayStation_Plus_What_You_Need_To_Know\"><\/span>PlayStation Plus: What You Need To Know<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To access the majority of online multiplayer games on the PS4, you&#8217;ll need a PlayStation Plus subscription. PlayStation Plus now comes in three tiers each with different prices and benefits:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PlayStation_Plus_Essential\"><\/span>PlayStation Plus Essential<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the base level of the PlayStation Plus subscription. It gives you access to <strong>online multiplayer<\/strong> for most games, a library of <strong>free monthly games<\/strong> to download and play, and <strong>cloud storage<\/strong> for your game saves. The price is typically $9.99 a month.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PlayStation_Plus_Extra\"><\/span>PlayStation Plus Extra<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This tier includes all the benefits of Essential, as well as access to a large <strong>catalog of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games<\/strong>. It essentially adds a Netflix-style game library to the benefits of a regular subscription. This is more expensive than the Essential tier.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PlayStation_Plus_Premium\"><\/span>PlayStation Plus Premium<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The highest tier encompasses everything from the Essential and Extra tiers, and also includes access to <strong>classic PlayStation games from PS1, PS2 and PSP<\/strong>, along with <strong>cloud streaming<\/strong> of games. The Premium tier represents the highest price point.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PlayStation_Network_Account\"><\/span>PlayStation Network Account<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Regardless of if you subscribe or not, to play online and use any PlayStation service you will need a <strong>PlayStation Network (PSN) Account<\/strong>. A PSN account is free and does not require payment details to be setup. It is your identifier across the Playstation Network, allowing you to make purchases, send messages, manage your profiles, etc.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Staying_Connected_on_PS4\"><\/span>Staying Connected on PS4<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Connecting to the internet on your PS4 is straightforward. The process is in <strong>Settings > Network menu<\/strong>. You can use either <strong>Wi-Fi or Ethernet<\/strong> to establish the connection. An internet connection is constantly maintained while your system is on, allowing you to engage in online play, stream videos, and interact with the online community.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_How_much_does_PlayStation_Plus_cost_per_month\"><\/span>1. How much does PlayStation Plus cost per month?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The price of PlayStation Plus varies depending on the tier you choose. The most basic tier, <strong>PlayStation Plus Essential<\/strong> costs $9.99 per month. The higher tiers are more expensive. Be aware that these prices are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Can_I_play_free-to-play_games_online_without_PlayStation_Plus\"><\/span>2. Can I play free-to-play games online without PlayStation Plus?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>free-to-play games do not require a PlayStation Plus subscription<\/strong> for online multiplayer. These are an excellent way to enjoy online gaming without additional costs.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_What_are_some_popular_free-to-play_games_on_PS4\"><\/span>3. What are some popular free-to-play games on PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some popular free-to-play games on PS4 include <strong>Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League, and Brawlhalla<\/strong>. There are also many other free games available.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Is_PlayStation_Network_free\"><\/span>4. Is PlayStation Network free?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, a <strong>PlayStation Network (PSN) account is free to create<\/strong> and use. You do not need payment details to open one. However, a PSN account is different from a PlayStation Plus subscription.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_What_happens_if_my_PlayStation_Plus_subscription_lapses\"><\/span>5. What happens if my PlayStation Plus subscription lapses?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If your PlayStation Plus subscription lapses, you will <strong>lose access to online multiplayer<\/strong> for most games, as well as the free monthly games you&#8217;ve claimed while your subscription was active. Your cloud saves however are not deleted but will be inaccessible. You will regain access by re-subscribing.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Can_I_play_online_with_friends_who_have_a_different_PlayStation_tier_than_me\"><\/span>6. Can I play online with friends who have a different PlayStation tier than me?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can <strong>play online with friends regardless of their PlayStation Plus tier,<\/strong> as long as all of you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription, or you are playing a free to play game.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Why_do_I_need_PlayStation_Plus_to_play_online_but_not_on_PC\"><\/span>7. Why do I need PlayStation Plus to play online, but not on PC?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Consoles like the PS4 operate as a <strong>closed ecosystem<\/strong> where the platform holders control all the online infrastructure and access to the server network. As such, they require a paid subscription. PC games tend to use various third-party servers which don&#8217;t require a separate subscription fee.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_How_do_I_check_my_PlayStation_Plus_subscription_status\"><\/span>8. How do I check my PlayStation Plus subscription status?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can check your subscription status by going to <strong>Settings > Account Management > Account Information > Service List<\/strong> on your PS4.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Can_I_cancel_my_PlayStation_Plus_subscription_at_any_time\"><\/span>9. Can I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription at any time?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can cancel your PlayStation Plus subscription at any time. You can do this by going to <strong>Settings > Account Management > Account Information > Service List<\/strong>, and then selecting the subscription and then the option to cancel it.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Is_it_possible_to_play_online_without_an_internet_connection\"><\/span>10. Is it possible to play online without an internet connection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>an internet connection is required to play online multiplayer games<\/strong> on the PlayStation 4.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_How_do_I_set_up_an_internet_connection_on_my_PS4\"><\/span>11. How do I set up an internet connection on my PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To set up an internet connection on your PS4, go to <strong>Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection<\/strong>. Choose between Wi-Fi or LAN (Ethernet) cable and then follow the on-screen instructions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_What_internet_speed_is_recommended_for_online_gaming_on_PS4\"><\/span>12. What internet speed is recommended for online gaming on PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>minimum of 5mbps<\/strong> internet speed is recommended for a smooth online gaming experience on PS4.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Will_PlayStation_Plus_be_required_when_Sony_no_longer_supports_PS4\"><\/span>13.  Will PlayStation Plus be required when Sony no longer supports PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As of now, Sony plans to support the PS4 until 2025. The subscription model for online access through PlayStation Plus is highly likely to <strong>remain until Sony stops supporting it completely<\/strong>. At that point in the future, all servers for PS4 online may be shutdown by the company.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_What_is_the_difference_between_PlayStation_Plus_and_PlayStation_Now\"><\/span>14. What is the difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Playstation Now is defunct and it&#8217;s benefits are now part of the Playstation Plus tiers. PlayStation Plus is primarily for online multiplayer access and access to free monthly games, whilst PlayStation Now used to focus on providing a library of streamable games, however this service has been integrated into the Playstation Plus offering.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Why_do_some_games_have_online_features_while_others_dont\"><\/span>15. Why do some games have online features while others don&#8217;t?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not every game comes packaged with online modes as a core feature. Many do, and some revolve around it entirely. The game developers are the ones who decide what modes to include in their games.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While online multiplayer is not generally free on the PlayStation 4, there are free options through the free-to-play titles and these provide an array of experiences for players. PlayStation Plus is a necessary investment for those who wish to enjoy the full breadth of online gaming on the PS4. With the various tiers available, players can choose the subscription level that best suits their needs and budget. Understanding the reasoning behind the subscription model and the benefits that PlayStation Plus offers is essential for any PS4 gamer who wants to play with other gamers from all around the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is Online Play Free on PS4? A Comprehensive Guide The simple answer is: No, online play is generally not free on the PlayStation 4 (PS4). While there are exceptions, the vast majority of online multiplayer games on the PS4 require an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access their online features. This means that to play &#8230; <a title=\"Is online free on PS4?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/is-online-free-on-ps4\/\" aria-label=\"More on Is online free on PS4?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12839\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}