Everything you need to know about PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra and Premium.
Sony’s PlayStation Plus has grown from a simple “online multiplayer plus free monthly games” service – which we diligently covered for many years – into a full-blown, tiered subscription ecosystem. It evolved significantly with the launch of the PlayStation 5, likely in response to Xbox Game Pass, and now offers many of the same benefits, albeit with a slightly different structure.
Spread across three tiers – Essential, Extra and Premium – PlayStation Plus bundles online multiplayer access, free monthly games, downloadable or streaming game catalogues, digital store discounts, and other perks. But what plan is best for you?
Here’s the complete Thumbsticks guide to each PlayStation Plus tier, what it costs, what you get.
Last updated: 25 November, 2025.
PlayStation Plus at a glance
PlayStation Plus Essential
What it includes:
- Online multiplayer access
- 2‑3 free monthly downloadable PS4 and PS5 games that are yours to keep while subscribed
- Cloud storage for game saves
- Share Play
- Exclusive PlayStation Store discounts
Pricing:
- Canada: $13.99/month or $109.99/year
- UK: £6.99/month or £59.99/year
- US: $9.99/month or $79.99/year
Who is it for?
Anyone who primarily plays online and likes the idea of a few free games each month, but doesn’t need the latest titles or access to cloud streaming. One often-overlooked perk is Share Play, a cool feature that lets you stream your PS5 to a friend and hand over control of the game remotely.
PlayStation Plus Extra
What it includes:
- Everything in Essential
- Game Catalogue: access to hundreds of PS4 and PS5 titles
- Ubisoft+ Classics
Pricing:
- Canada: $20.99/month or $189.99/year
- UK: £10.99/month or £99.99/year
- US: $14.99/month or $134.99/year
Who is it for?
A good option for players who want more choice without jumping to the top tier. If you’re catching up on games you’ve missed, or enjoy having access to a large digital library, Extra offers good value and is the sweet spot for most PlayStation owners.
PlayStation Plus Premium
What it includes:
- Everything in Extra and Essential.
- Classics Catalogue: access to selected PS1, PS2, and PSP titles, plus selected PS3 games via streaming
- Game Trials: limited‑time full‑game trials for select new releases.
- Cloud streaming: allows you to stream selected games to your console or PS Portal
- Sony Pictures Catalog: a selection of 100 movies to stream on demand
Pricing:
- Canada: $24.99/month or $224.99/year
- UK: £13.49/month or 119.99/year
- US: $17.99/month or $159.99/year
Who is it for?
This tier is ideal for players with fast, reliable internet who want the full PlayStation experience, including access to classic titles from older generations and cloud streaming. If you only dip into one or two current games, it might be overkill. But for retro enthusiasts, cloud streamers, and anyone after the broadest game catalogue, Premium is a good choice. The movie selection isn’t bad, either.
Things to know
PS Plus Monthly Games – November 2025
Here is this month’s line-up of free monthly games:
- EA Sports WRC 24
- Stray
- Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
The digital game catalogues for Extra and Premium are also updated frequently.
PS Plus Discounts
12-month subscriptions offer the best overall value, though three-month plans are also available if you prefer a middle ground. Extra and Premium tiers often go on sale during seasonal promotions, particularly in spring, around Black Friday, and during the December holidays.
How to subscribe or cancel
You can subscribe to or manage your PlayStation Plus membership on your console or via the official PlayStation website.
- On‑console: Navigate to Settings → Users & Accounts → Account → Payment & Subscriptions → Subscriptions
- Online: Log in at PlayStation.com, click your Profile → Manage Subscriptions
To cancel your subscription, head to the same section and turn off Automatic Renewal before your next billing date. You’ll still have full access until the end of your current paid period.
Check back soon for our guides to Nintendo Switch Online and Xbox Game Pass.
