Hey there! If you own a PlayStation console, then chances are you‘ve questioned whether to subscribe to PlayStation Plus at some point. Sony has offered some form of online gaming service for over a decade. But between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, understanding what you actually got with each was pretty confusing.
Well you‘re in luck! I‘ve compared the legacy offerings to the revamped, all-new PlayStation Plus tiers launching this year. My goal is to provide everything you need to know about:
- Exactly how PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now worked
- What those services offered compared to Xbox
- Why Sony decided to consolidate into revised PlayStation Plus tiers
- How the new Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers are different
- Which tier you should choose for your needs and budget
- How PlayStation Plus stacks up to competition from Xbox Game Pass
Let‘s get started!
A Quick History of PlayStation Online Services
First, some quick history. The original PlayStation Plus debuted back in 2010, focused primarily on enabling online multiplayer gaming and voice chat. Over time, Sony added more value like free monthly games, cloud saves, and exclusive discounts. However, a PlayStation Plus subscription was not mandatory for playing most single player or online free-to-play games.
Sony launched PlayStation Now in 2014. This ambitious game streaming service let you play older PlayStation 2, 3 and 4 games through the cloud rather than needing downloads or discs. While the technology was cool, the actual game selection was small compared to Xbox backwards compatibility.
Here‘s a high-level look at how the legacy offerings stacked up, along with how Xbox has structured its online services:
| PlayStation Plus | PlayStation Now | Xbox Live | Xbox GamePass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $9.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Key Benefit | Online multiplayer | Game streaming | Online multiplayer | Game subscription |
| # Games | 2 monthly games | 800+ cloud library | Free Games w/ Gold | 100+ downloadable |
| Works Offline? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (downloaded games) |
| Play on PC? | No | Yes | No | Yes |
While Xbox Live has long focused purely on multiplayer access and the Games With Gold program, Game Pass serves as an optional game buffet. PlayStation fractured benefits across multiple disjointed services.
Fast forward to 2022! Sony just introduced an overhauled PlayStation Plus platform to simplify choices for gamers.
Breakdown of the New PlayStation Plus Tiers
Let‘s examine what is included with each of the revamped PlayStation Plus membership levels.
PlayStation Plus Essential
- Replaces the original PlayStation Plus
- $9.99 monthly / $24.99 quarterly / $59.99 yearly
- Online multiplayer access
- 2 monthly downloadable games
- Exclusive discounts
- Cloud storage
This base tier seems similar to the former offering focus primarily on multiplayer gaming.
PlayStation Plus Extra
- $14.99 monthly / $39.99 quarterly / $99.99 yearly
- Adds library of 400+ PS4 and PS5 games available for download
- Adds catalog of Ubisoft+ Classics like AC Valhalla for download
- Retains all benefits of Essential tier
For just $5 more per month than base, Extra adds a Netflix-style catalog of games from both first and third-party PS developers. Great value.
PlayStation Plus Premium
- $17.99 monthly / $49.99 quarterly / $119.99 yearly
- Adds 340+ PS1, PS2, PSP and PS3 games available to stream or download
- Enables cloud streaming access for select original PlayStation, PS2, PSP and PS4 games
- Adds limited time game trials
- Keeps all lower tier benefits
Premium drives enhanced backwards compatibility spanning 5 PlayStation generations. The breadth comes at a premium cost but with streaming flexibility.
Choosing the Right Tier For You
So which of the new PlayStation Plus tiers is best for your personal gaming needs? Here is my advice across common gamer profiles.
Casual Gamers
If you mostly play free-to-play games like Fortnite or Call of Duty online with friends just a few times per month, the Essential tier offers solid savings. $60 per year remains affordable for basic online access.
PlayStation Loyalists
For gamers who play PS4 or PS5 as their primary console, I‘d recommend Premium for long term value. You gain access to revisit iconic PlayStation exclusives from past generations. And will grow your new release portfolio as more PS5 games get added down the road.
Multiplatform Gamers
If you split time gaming across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC, Extra makes sense. You gain a large on-demand catalog to supplement the few titles you buy annually for each system. $100 per year balances breadth and budget.
Infrequent Upgraders
If you stretch console cycles out 5-6 years before your next purchase, the Premium tier again adds value. Access to nostalgic PS3 games helps fill gaps versus always buying new PS5 releases year after year.
Xbox Game Pass Fans
While you can‘t directly replicate Game Pass on PlayStation, the new Extra tier gets you closer than every before. The combined offering of hundreds of on-demand PlayStation and Ubisoft games brings associated savings opportunities.
No matter your gamer profile, the new PlayStation Plus structure lets you choose the right level of investment based on your habits. Let‘s discuss how Sony shapes up head-to-head versus Xbox now.
How PlayStation Plus Compares to Xbox Game Pass Rivals
While no service can match Xbox Game Pass yet in terms of mainstream value, the overhauled PlayStation Plus catches Sony up a bit versus past disparity.
Game Pass still maintains advantages in a few key areas:
- Day one access to all Microsoft 1st party games
- Full PC gaming support
- Sheer total number of games
However, PlayStation Plus based on the Extra and Premium tiers now offsets those strengths with some unique advantages:
- Added cloud streaming flexibility, especially for iconic retro games
- Caters to longtime PlayStation console gamers with nostalgia
- Enables savings for those who also own a Nintendo Switch or gaming PC
- Leverages exclusive PlayStation titles and console base
- Simplified tier choice for renewed focus
The revamped offerings symbolize an industry movement toward recurring subscription models versus individual game purchases. Despite remaining contrast in approach, robust competition ultimately should benefit us as gamers. This gets amplified through discounts or free introductory periods to attract initial sign-ups.
Both Sony and Microsoft seem intent on blurring traditional console boundaries to expand audience reach. PlayStation games on PC. Xbox games on mobile phones. Cloud-based cross-platform gaming rosters. While it will take time for technology to fully catch up to ambition, the value aimed at consumers bodes well.
If you made it this far, hopefully you now feel better equipped to determine which PlayStation Plus tier best aligns to your gaming habits and budget as we head into this new era. Have fun!
