What’s The Difference Between PlayStation Plus And PlayStation Now?
Sony’s PlayStation platform extends beyond the console itself, encompassing multiple services, including PlayStation Now (PS Now) and PlayStation Plus (PS Plus). Both of these services are optional and, because of the naming structure, can be easy to mix them up. In reality, both are very different from each other, and there’s an easy way to quickly tell them apart.
PlayStation Now
Though both PS Plus andPS Noware optional, it’s fair to say that PS Now is a bit more optional than its counterpart. Whereas a PS Plus subscription is necessary to access a core game feature (online multiplayer), PS Now is a separate platform that doesn’t have anything to do with playing the games you already own.
Fortunately, Sony offers a free trial period for those who’ve never previously signed up, giving all PlayStation console owners the chance to try the service out for themselves and verify it works well with their internet connection. If you like what you experience, the subscription is priced at $9.99 per month if you pay monthly, $24.99 if you pay for three months at once, and $59.99 if you pay for an entire year upfront.
PlayStation Plus
PlayStation Plus, meanwhile, is arguably a “required” subscription even if it is technically optional. While you don’thaveto pay for PS Plus, you won’t be able to play online multiplayer in most games — and that’s particularly problematic considering how many games require online services and revolve mostly or entirely around multiplayer experiences.
Some popular titles like “Fortnite” don’t require you to have a PS Plus subscription to play online, but other hits like “Minecraft” do. If you own a PlayStation console but primarily play games that have free online multiplayer or single-player campaigns, you’re able to get away with not signing up.
That’s not a terrible deal, depending on how often you play a variety of games versus focusing only on a few. Some months (likethe January 2022 batch) have lackluster lineups, but other months bring surprises, including well-rated and high-quality titles. Past examples of this include games like “Resident Evil 7 biohazard,” “Star Wars: Squadrons,” “Hitman 2,” “Final Fantasy 7,” and others. Not every month is an exciting one, but when the good games do drop, they tend to make up for the subscription cost.
PS Plus is available at the same cost as PS Now: $9.99 per month, but with the 3-month and 12-month upfront payment options for a discount.
PS Plus Premium will combine the two
In a blog post on August 19, 2025,Sony announced plansto overhaul its PlayStation Plus subscription, splitting it up into three different tiers in addition to eliminating PlayStation Now as a separate service. The new version of PS Plus will go live in June, with the exact date varying depending on the region — Sony says it hopes to make the changes live in the U.S. on June 13.
Existing PS Now customers can expect to automatically revert to the PS Plus Premium plan once the subscription service change goes live in their regions. As with the existing options, Sony will continue to offer discounts in the form of quarterly and yearly subscription alternatives to the monthly payment plan.
