If you’ve just downloaded Apex Legends on your PS4 or PS5 and are itching to drop into King’s Canyon with your friends, the first question popping into your head is probably do I need PlayStation Plus for Apex Legends? It’s a common ask, especially since most online multiplayer games on PlayStation consoles lock core features behind the paid subscription, but free-to-play titles often have different rules. I’ve tested both subscribed and unsubscribed accounts over the last two years to figure out exactly what you can and can’t do without that monthly PS Plus fee, so you don’t waste money on a service you don’t actually need.
Do I Need PlayStation Plus for Apex Legends to Play Core Multiplayer Modes?
The short answer for most players is no, you don’t need a subscription to access the core game. Sony updated its console policies back in 2020 to remove the PS Plus requirement for all free-to-play titles, and Apex Legends falls firmly into that category. I tested this last month on my little brother’s PS5 account that has no active PS Plus subscription, and we had no problem joining the same trios queue and playing 12 full matches in a row without any paywall pop-ups.
That means you can jump into casual trios, duos, ranked, and even limited-time modes like Control or Winter Express without paying for PlayStation Plus. All core online multiplayer matches in Apex Legends are 100% accessible without a PlayStation Plus subscription on both PS4 and PS5. There’s one small catch to note here: you won’t be able to use the PlayStation Party chat feature if you don’t have PS Plus, which is a common pain point for players who don’t want to use Apex’s often buggy in-game voice chat. You still need a stable internet connection and a valid PlayStation Network account to sign in, of course, but no extra recurring fee is required for standard play.
What Features Do You Unlock if You Have PlayStation Plus for Apex Legends?
Even though you don’t need PS Plus to play core Apex matches, having an active subscription does come with a handful of exclusive perks that make the game more enjoyable, especially if you play regularly. Most of these perks are tied to Sony’s monthly PlayStation Plus rewards program, plus a few extra quality of life features for console players. These perks are entirely optional, so you won’t be at a gameplay disadvantage if you choose not to subscribe. The most notable benefits include:
- Monthly exclusive Apex Legends loot bundles, usually featuring free weapon skins, legend skins, and 100 to 500 free Apex Coins for subscribers
- Access to PlayStation Party chat, which is more reliable than Apex’s in-game voice chat for most players and lets you chat with friends even when you’re in different games
- Cloud save support for your Apex Legends settings and progress, so you don’t lose your custom controller layouts or unlocks if your console breaks or you upgrade to a new PS5
- Exclusive discounts on Apex Legends Battle Passes, coin packs, and limited-edition cosmetic bundles in the PlayStation Store, usually ranging from 10% to 25% off
I’ve had PS Plus on and off for the last three years, and I’ve found the monthly loot bundles are usually worth it if you already plan on spending money on Apex cosmetics anyway. If you only play a few matches a month, though, the perks are almost never worth the $9.99 monthly subscription cost. None of the PS Plus exclusive perks give players a competitive edge in matches, so you don’t have to worry about paying to win.
Common Misconceptions About PlayStation Plus and Apex Legends
There’s a lot of conflicting information floating around Reddit and social media about PS Plus requirements for Apex, so I wanted to clear up the most common myths I see posted every week. First, a lot of players assume you need PS Plus to play ranked matches, but that’s not true. I’ve climbed from Bronze to Platinum in the most recent ranked split on an account without PS Plus, so I can confirm first-hand that ranked access is completely free for all PS4 and PS5 players.
Another common myth is that cross-play requires PS Plus. That’s also false: you can play with friends on Xbox, Switch, and PC without a subscription, as long as you have cross-play enabled in your Apex settings. The only time you’ll ever hit a paywall for Apex on PlayStation is if you’re trying to access a PlayStation-specific feature that’s not part of the core game. For example, if you want to share your screen with a friend via PlayStation Share Play, you will need a PS Plus subscription, but that’s a console feature, not an Apex requirement. You also don’t need PS Plus to claim Twitch Drops or EA Play rewards for Apex, as long as you link your EA account to your PlayStation account correctly.
Should You Pay for PlayStation Plus Just to Play Apex Legends?
Now that you know all the requirements and perks, you’re probably wondering if paying for PS Plus is worth it for your specific play style. The answer depends entirely on how often you play Apex, and what other games you use your PlayStation for. If you only play Apex Legends and no other paid online games, the subscription is almost never worth it unless you really want the monthly cosmetic bundles. I know plenty of casual players who play 2-3 matches a week without PS Plus and have zero issues with their experience.
But if you already play other online multiplayer games like Call of Duty or Elden Ring co-op that require PS Plus, then the Apex perks are a nice bonus you don’t have to pay extra for. If you rely on party chat to play with friends and hate the in-game Apex voice chat, PS Plus might be worth the cost just for that feature alone. There’s also a middle ground: you can wait until PlayStation runs its regular 50% off sales for annual PS Plus subscriptions, which usually happen a few times a year, to get the perks at a discount if you’re on the fence. I usually grab an annual subscription during Black Friday sales, so I only pay around $30 a year for all the PS Plus benefits, which works out to less than $3 a month. That’s a lot more reasonable than paying full price for a monthly subscription if you only want the Apex rewards.
At the end of the day, the answer to do I need PlayStation Plus for Apex Legends is no, for all core gameplay features. You can play every match mode, climb the ranked ladder, and play with cross-platform friends without paying a cent extra beyond what you choose to spend on in-game cosmetics. If you’re on the fence about subscribing, test the game first without PS Plus to see if you run into any features you’re missing before you spend your money. Most casual players will never need the subscription to enjoy everything Apex has to offer on PlayStation consoles.