Newcomers to Final Fantasy XIV have several options to consider: the Free Trial, the Starter Edition, and the Complete Edition which provides access up to Dawntrail. The important decision is determining which edition suits you best as a player. Should you stick with the Free Trial, or invest in the paid Starter Edition? We’ll guide you through the details so you can make an informed choice.
With Final Fantasy XIV now available on the Nintendo Switch 2, many new players are joining the community, and it’s an excellent time to start. We’re here to explain the different editions and their benefits.
Limitations of Final Fantasy XIV Free Trial: Is the Starter Edition a Better Start?
Now available on the Switch 2, Final Fantasy XIV presents two main choices for newcomers: the Free Trial or the Starter Edition. Both serve as ideal starting points before progressing to the Complete Edition.
The Free Trial offers unlimited access until you decide to pay for the game or subscribe, but it does come with certain restrictions:
Free Trial Restrictions
- Only applicable to accounts without any registered version of FFXIV.
- Limited access to items from the Online Store (gifting items is not possible).
- Up to 8 characters on any Physical Data Center.
- A gil cap of 300,000.
- Level cap of 80 for all playable jobs.
- Content is limited to the Shadowbringers expansion.
- Inability to use shout, yell, or tell chat options.
- Trading with other players is not allowed.
- Cannot send in-game letters.
- Hiring Retainers is not possible.
- Cannot create a Linkshell or Cross-World Linkshell (can join if invited).
- Cannot join or create a Free Company.
- Can join parties via Duty Finder but cannot create their own party.
- Cannot join/create PVP teams or participate in Crystalline Conflict, Rival Wings, or Frontline.
- Participation in Ultimate Raids is not allowed.
- Cannot use community content on the Lodestone.
- Cannot access official forums or the Companion app.
Unless the restrictions of the Free Trial are bothersome, there’s no pressing reason to choose between it and the Starter Edition, which costs $19.99 USD. The Starter Edition includes a 30-day free trial but is otherwise not free. If you wish to take your time exploring the game, the Free Trial is sufficient unless you have friends to join and wish to play together.
Before starting Final Fantasy XIV, it’s important to note that purchasing the game on Steam means your account is permanently tied to Steam. Switching to the standalone client would require a new account ID (re-purchasing the game).
Does Final Fantasy XIV Have Monthly Subscriptions?
Yes, Final Fantasy XIV requires a monthly subscription. Players from the 1.0 era who subscribed have a prorated rate of $9.99. For others, the subscription costs either $12.99 USD or $14.99 USD, depending on the number of characters allowed per server or Physical Data Center.
The Entry Subscription ($12.99) permits 8 characters per server, totaling 8 per Physical Data Center (e.g., Crystal, Aether). The Standard Subscription ($14.99 USD) allows 8 characters per server and a total of 40 characters per Physical Data Center. If only one character is necessary, the higher fee may not be justified.
For players in countries where gaming costs are higher, using Steam might be advantageous as the Steam Wallet offers regional pricing and localized currencies, potentially making subscriptions more affordable.
Switch 2 players are required to subscribe, regardless of other platforms. If Switch 2 is your sole platform, the standard subscription rate applies, but Nintendo Switch Online is not required. Players using multiple platforms like PC, PS5, and Switch 2 will have an additional subscription cost, reduced to $7.50 USD monthly.
FFXIV Coins are available for purchasing game time and cosmetics in the Switch 2 shop, though the pricing is somewhat unbalanced. The Entry Subscription is 650 Coins, while the Standard is 750 Coins, with coins being purchasable in multiples of 500 (500, 1000, 1500, etc.).
When Is It Worth Getting the FFXIV Complete Edition (Dawntrail Bundle)?
There’s little reason to purchase the FFXIV Complete Edition until you reach the end of Shadowbringers. At that point, when you’re ready for Endwalker, it becomes worthwhile to invest in the Complete Edition.
Consider buying it sooner if you have friends you want to play with and are willing to pay the subscription fee. Otherwise, take advantage of the Free Trial until the Main Scenario Quests are exhausted.
Some suggest buying Final Fantasy XIV only after reaching the level cap on all available jobs. However, this may not align with everyone’s interests, as some may not desire to play all job types, like tanks or healers.
Having high-level jobs for Endwalker is beneficial, but it requires extensive grinding, potentially stalling the storyline. While this approach is popular, it may not suit everyone.
Check out our other Final Fantasy XIV guides and features
Edited by Jason Parker
