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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPS Plus Monthly Games are a subscription benefit; free-to-play games are a separate pricing category. You need an active PS Plus membership to access games you claimed through Monthly Games, but most free-to-play games can be played online without PS Plus. For a particular title, check its PlayStation Store listing: requirements and exceptions vary by game.
How the two categories differ
| Question | PS Plus Monthly Games | Free-to-play games |
|---|---|---|
| What does the label mean? | A benefit included with PS Plus. Members claim selected titles offered each month. | A game-access and pricing model: the game is available to play without buying it upfront. It is not, by itself, a PS Plus benefit. |
| Is PS Plus needed to access the game? | Yes. PlayStation says claimed Monthly Games remain accessible while the player is an active PS Plus member. PlayStation Plus plans and FAQs. | Usually not. PlayStation lists Fortnite, Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone as examples of free-to-play games that generally do not require membership. Check the individual Store listing. PlayStation Plus FAQs. |
| Does online multiplayer require PS Plus? | That depends on the game. Most PS4 and PS5 games require PS Plus for online multiplayer, but some do not. | Most free-to-play games do not require PS Plus for online play, though exceptions may apply. Check the listing before playing. |
| What happens if a subscription ends? | Access to claimed Monthly Games is available while the membership remains active. | PS Plus is generally not needed to access free-to-play games, so ending a membership does not, by itself, remove that access. |
| Is it part of a rotating catalog? | Monthly Games are titles offered to claim each month. | Not by virtue of being free-to-play. Free-to-play describes the game’s access model, not whether it is in a subscription catalog. |
Do you need PS Plus to play free-to-play games online?
Usually, no. PlayStation says most free-to-play games do not require PS Plus, including examples such as Fortnite, Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone. That is different from most purchased games, whether bought on disc or from the PlayStation Store, which generally require PS Plus for online multiplayer.
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These are general rules, not guarantees for every game. PlayStation Support advises checking the specific game’s PlayStation Store page to see whether PS Plus is required for online play: PlayStation Plus multiplayer support.
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What happens to Monthly Games when PS Plus ends?
Claiming a Monthly Game does not mean you own it outright. PlayStation’s FAQ says the games remain accessible for as long as you are an active member. If your membership ends, you should not expect access to those claimed games until your membership is active again.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Monthly Games are not the Game Catalog
All three current PS Plus plans—Essential, Extra and Premium—include Monthly Games. Extra and Premium also include the Game Catalog, an on-demand selection of titles that PlayStation says is updated regularly. Some Game Catalog titles have end dates and may leave the service. The Catalog is therefore distinct from the monthly claim benefit, and neither label means permanent ownership.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which PS Plus plan fits each need?
| Plan | Monthly Games | Other relevant benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Included | Online multiplayer |
| Extra | Included | Online multiplayer and the Game Catalog |
| Premium | Included | Online multiplayer, the Game Catalog, Classics Catalog, game trials and cloud streaming |
These are the plan benefits shown on PlayStation’s US page; availability and terms can differ by region. PlayStation’s US page also says PS4 games will be added only intermittently from January 2026. Confirm current regional plan details, streaming availability and any game-specific requirements on PlayStation’s PS Plus page.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Rank #3
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Rank #2
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
