Sony's PlayStation Plus is a well-known brand with a long history, but the service received a substantial makeover in 2022. Combining the original version with PS Now, the platform adopted a tiered system that seemed designed to offer something equivalent to Xbox Game Pass, with the higher levels containing extensive libraries of games that are updated monthly.
Although not without its controversies or criticisms, PS Plus has stabilized by this point, making it a consistently valid option for PS5 and even PS4 owners. As the service offers a lot of content along with different price points and features, here are the major things everyone should know about PS Plus.
Updated on December 31, 2025 by Mark Sammut: A new year has arrived, and Sony has announced the PS Plus Essential lineup for January 2026. The games are, well, something.
All The PlayStation Plus Tiers
An Overview Covering All Three PS Plus Subscriptions
Rather than present a one-size-fits-all subscription, PS Plus lets users have their pick from three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Here is a summary of each level's offerings:
- Essential – The core PS Plus benefits as they were prior to the 2022 relaunch. Subscribers gain access to online multiplayer, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and a few other benefits.
- Extra – Essential tier benefits + a catalog of downloadable PS5 and PS4 games.
- Premium – Essential & Extra tiers benefits + a catalog of classic PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP games.
Ultimately, picking a PS Plus tier comes down to someone's needs. If a player will only be using the online multiplayer feature, Essential will suffice, and there is little to gain from subscribing to one of the higher tiers.
Premium's central selling is its Classics Catalog, which adds hundreds of titles on top of the PS5 and PS4 games that are also available in the Extra tier. While this collection is grand, please note that PS3 games are played through Cloud Streaming and cannot be downloaded. Consequently, their performance is dependent on the user's internet connection.
The Best PlayStation Plus Games You Should Be Playing Right Now
From big exclusives to overlooked gems, here are the top PlayStation Plus games you should download next on your PS5.
Which PS Plus Tier Should You Buy?
As there is quite a jump in price from one level to the next, a full breakdown of each tier's features and benefits might help someone decide whether they should go for Essential, Extra, or Premium.
|
Essential |
Extra |
Premium |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monthly Games |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Online Multiplayer |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Exclusive Discounts |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cloud Storage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Share Play |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
The PlayStation Plus Collection (PS5 Only) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Exclusive Content |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Game Catalog – PS5 & PS4 Games |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Ubisoft+ Classics |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Classics Catalog – PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP Games |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Cloud Streaming |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
PS Plus on PC (Using Cloud Streaming) |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Game Trials |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Sony Pictures Catalogue/Sony Pictures Core |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Crunchyroll Content (As Part of Sony Pictures Catalogue) |
No |
No |
Yes |
How Much Does PS Plus Cost?
Each PS Plus tier has its own price point to match the benefits included with the subscription.
PS Plus Essential
- 1-Month Subscription: $9.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $24.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $79.99
PS Plus Extra
- 1-Month Subscription: $14.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $39.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $134.99
PS Plus Premium
- 1-Month Subscription: $17.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $49.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $159.99
How To Subscribe To PlayStation Plus?
The process to subscribe to PS Plus is quite straightforward, and there are a couple of avenues people can use to get there.
Newcomers to Sony's ecosystem will first need to create a PlayStation Network account as this is required to utilize any service, including buying games from the PS Store. An account by following this link.
How To Subscribe To PS Plus Using The PS5
The most convenient way to subscribe to PS Plus is through the PS5 or PS4 console.
- Log into the home screen.
- Navigate to the PlayStation Plus panel
- Select "Subscribe"
- Pick Essential, Extra, or Premium
- Pick a Payment Plan
How To Subscribe To PS Plus Using A Web Browser
It is also possible to subscribe to PS Plus directly from a web browser. Visit this playstation.com page and scroll down to the "Choose Your Membership Plan." From there, choose a tier and select "Add to Cart." After that, simply check out to complete the transaction.
Please note that you will need to log in to your PlayStation account on the browser before you can see your membership options (and subscribe). Occasionally, there might be an offer for new members, so it can be useful. The process is pretty straightforward.
How To Cancel A PS Plus Subscription?
There might come a time when someone might wish to cancel their PS Plus subscription. The process is quite uncomplicated:
- On a web browser, head to the Sony Network's Account Management page.
- From the menu's PlayStation Network options, select "Subscription."
- Select "Cancel Subscription" near PlayStation Plus.
Account Management's Subscription page also allows players to change their PS Plus tiers or payment frequency.
What Is PS Plus On PC?
PS Plus Premium subscribers also have the option to stream games via the service's PC app. The library includes titles from both the Games and Classics Catalog, although it is not the full selection. Here are some things interested parties should know about this option:
- The DualShock 4 is the only confirmed compatible controller. That does not mean other controllers will not work, just that they are not guaranteed by Sony.
- PS Plus On PC is not currently available in every country that has the main streaming service.
- PS5 games cannot be streamed.
- A PS5 or PS4 is not needed to subscribe to PS Plus on PC.
- Sony recommends a Broadband wired internet connection of a minimum of 5 Mbps.
Your mileage will vary greatly with PS Plus' streaming service, and the quality can even vary between PS5 and PC. Personally, games stream really well on the PS5, but I notice a slightly bigger delay on PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PS Plus Premium Subscribers Stream PS5 Games?
PS Plus Premium's Cloud Streaming is compatible with the Games Catalog's PS4 games and all the titles found in the Classics Catalog. PS5 games cannot be streamed.
When Are New Games Added To PS Plus Premium & Extra?
Sony has not specified a fixed date of when subscribers can anticipate new additions to the library, but history suggests that games will be added roughly halfway through a month.
Can Subscribers Switch Tiers?
Yes. If someone wants to move up to a higher PS Plus tier, they only need to purchase a new membership at their desired level. This upgrade will happen instantly, and the customer will be charged a prorated fee for the rest of the current month.
If a member wishes to downgrade their tier, they would need to visit their Sony account's "Subscription" tab to perform the change. This alteration will come into effect once the next payment is made.
Can PS Plus Benefits Be Shared?
While limited to one PS5 or PS4 console, certain PS Plus benefits are shared among the different accounts on the system. These include online multiplayer, access to Premium & Extra's libraries, downloaded monthly games, and games purchased using a PS Plus discount.
Which PlayStation Plus Should I Get?
Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference. If someone only intends to play PS5 and PS4 games, there is little reason to subscribe to Premium.
Best Online Co-Op Games On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium
From PvE FPS games to addictive beat 'em ups, PS Plus has some of the best online co-op games ever.
The PS Plus Essential Free Games For January 2026
Need for Speed Unbound (PS5), Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed (PS5/PS4), Core Keeper (PS5/PS4)
These PS Plus Essential games will be available from January 6, 2025, to February 2, 2026.
A new year is upon us, and Sony has already confirmed that big changes will be coming to PS Plus Essential in 2026. The main thing is that, moving forward, only PS5 games will be included, as PS4-only releases will no longer be included. Just to be clear, if a PS5 title has a PS4 version, both of them will be part of the lineup. However, we will no longer receive games that were released solely for the last generation console.
So, the January 2026 PS Plus Essential lineup is, well, kind of underwhelming. The headline act is Need for Speed Unbound, a game that had already spent about 18 months on PS Plus Extra. It was removed in the summer of 2025, so it has hardly been gone for a very long time by this point. NFS Unbound is a solid open-world racer by most metrics, but it is relatively old and fairly cheap to buy nowadays. Obviously, it is still worth adding to your account, but it hardly represents a great start to PS Plus' 2026 run.
The other two games are, at least, new to PS Plus. Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed is a remake of a 2010 3D platformer, and it is a charming adventure with gameplay that revolves around painting. Rebrushed came out in 2024, so it is relatively recent. Core Keeper is arguably the best PS Plus game of January 2026, and it is a must-play for anybody remotely looking for a creative and addictive sandbox survival title.
What Games Are On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium?
Most subscribers will likely invest in PS Plus Extra as that tier contains more than enough PS5 and PS4 games to keep someone busy for a long time. Unless specifically interested in classic PS games or Cloud Streaming, there is not much reason to pick Premium over Extra. Still, subscribers of both tiers can download and install the following titles.
PS Plus' game library can vary from country to country.
Every PS5 Game On PS Plus Extra & Premium
God of War, Spider-Man, Returnal, Red Dead Redemption, & More
|
A-H |
I-R |
S-Z |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Every PS4 Game On PS Plus Extra & Premium
GTA, KNACK (But Not Knack 2, For Whatever Reason), FF7 Remake, & More
|
A-G |
L-R |
S-Z |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
What Classics Are On PlayStation Plus Premium?
PS Plus Premium celebrates PlayStation's past, bringing together titles released over the span of more than two decades. If a PS5 or PS4 owner wants to play some old favorites, this tier should deliver.
Every PS5/PS4 Game Only On PS Plus Premium (Including Remasters Of PS3, Vita, & PSP Games)
Doom, Uncharted, The Last Of Us, Gravity Rush, & More
|
A-D |
E-R |
S-Z |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Every PS3 Game On PS Plus Premium
God of War HD, Fallout: New Vegas, Heavenly Sword, Infamous, & More
|
A-E |
F-Q |
R-Z |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
All Big Upcoming PS5 Games For 2026 & Beyond
From JRPGs to platform, racing, and open-world titles, here are all the big new PS5 games releasing in 2026 and later.
Every PS1, PS2, & PSP Game On PS Plus Premium
Oddworld, Twisted Metal, TimeSplitters, Tekken, Ape Escape, & More
This section includes PS4 versions of classic PS1 and PS2 games.
|
PS1 |
PS2 |
PSP |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Every PS VR2 Game On PS Plus Premium
Ghostbusters, Saints & Sinners, Synth Riders, & More
- Before Your Eyes
- Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
- Synth Riders
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapters 1 & 2
- Walkabout Mini Golf
PS Plus Extra & Premium December 2025 New Games
Assassin's Creed Mirage, Granblue, Wo Long, & More
|
Extra & Premium |
Premium Only |
|
|---|---|---|
|
December 16, 2025 |
|
|
The above games are now on PS Plus Extra and Premium. Also, on December 2, Red Dead Redemption was added to PS Plus Extra.
Every Monthly Game Added To PS Plus
New monthly PlayStation Plus games! Sony is always adding goodies to its subscription service. The January 2026 Extra games have been revealed.
Games Leaving PS Plus On January 20, 2026
Like a Dragon Gaiden & More
|
Subscription Tiers |
Games |
Departure Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Extra & Premium |
|
January 20, 2026 |
The above games are confirmed to be leaving PS Plus in January 2026.
PS Plus Game Trials
Besides instant access to PS Plus's Game and Classics Catalogs, Premium subscribers can also try out a select few PS5 and PS4 titles for a limited time. Players can currently test out more than 60 games, and their trial periods vary in length.
Check out the below article to see a list of PS Plus Premium game trials. Please note that this information is not up-to-date.
Every Game Time Trial On PS Plus Premium
PlayStation Plus Premium allows subscribers to try out more than 50+ games, including time trials for some PS5 exclusives.
Sony Pictures Core
A little-known feature available to Premium subscribers, Sony Pictures Core is a streaming service that contains over 2000 movies that can be rented or bought. Anyone can create an account, but people who have a Premium subscription have access to a range of movies.
Most of the biggest recent titles will need to be purchased, but the selection has a couple of older titles that can keep someone entertained for a few hours when they do not feel like playing a game. The Sony Pictures Catalog also includes anime content from Crunchyroll.
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Best Games By Genre
Be it JRPGs, horror, or first-person shooters, PlayStation Plus covers almost every genre imaginable. Rather than focusing on individual consoles, players might prefer to try out something new in a genre they already love. These upcoming articles should help provide some guidance.
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How PS Plus Works
PlayStation Plus is an ever-evolving service. While this guide covers everything that most people need to know about Sony's platform, the below articles expand on a few points.
