If you’ve just downloaded Apex Legends on your PlayStation and are ready to drop into King’s Canyon with your friends, the first question popping into your head is likely do i need ps plus for apex legends. I’ve been in that exact spot, too, right after picking up a new PS5 and rushing to install my favorite battle royale before a weekend gaming session with my squad. The good news is the answer isn’t a one-size-fits-all yes or no, and it depends entirely on what you want to get out of the game. We’ll break down every scenario so you don’t waste money on a subscription you don’t actually need, or get stuck unable to join your friends right before a match.
Do You Need PS Plus for Apex Legends for Core Online Play?
If all you care about is jumping into public unranked or ranked battle royale matches, trios with randoms, or even the latest limited-time modes, you don’t need an active PS Plus subscription to play. Sony updated its platform rules back in 2019 to waive PS Plus requirements for all free-to-play titles, and Apex Legends falls firmly into that category. I tested this last month when my PS Plus subscription lapsed for 10 days before I renewed it, and I was still able to drop into 17+ matches with no issues, earn XP, unlock battle pass tiers I’d already paid for, and collect in-game rewards from events.
That said, there are a few small caveats here. You do still need a stable internet connection, obviously, and you need to have a valid PlayStation Network account linked to your device. You also won’t be blocked from cross-play matches with friends on Xbox, PC, or Switch if you don’t have PS Plus, which is a huge win for cross-platform squads. Core online matchmaking for all public Apex Legends modes is 100% free for PlayStation users with no PS Plus required.
PS Plus Benefits for Apex Legends Players Worth Considering
Even if you don’t need PS Plus to play core Apex modes, there are a handful of useful perks you’ll get access to if you already have a subscription for other paid games. These perks don’t impact core gameplay, but they can add extra value to your existing membership and help you unlock rare content you won’t find in the regular in-game store. Most of these rewards refresh every month, so it’s worth checking the PS Plus section of the PlayStation Store every 30 days to see what’s available for Apex players.
- Exclusive monthly in-game rewards: These usually include rare character skins, weapon camos, banner poses, and 100 to 500 free crafting metals, available only to PS Plus subscribers.
- Cloud save support for local settings: Save your custom controller layouts, sensitivity settings, and game preference presets to the cloud so you don’t have to reconfigure them if you get a new PlayStation console.
- Share Play access: Let a friend take over your game for an hour to test a new legend you unlocked, or even squad up with them even if they haven’t installed Apex Legends on their own device.
- Discounts on paid Apex Legends content: PS Plus subscribers regularly get 10% to 20% off battle pass purchases, premium skin bundles, and Apex Coins packs in the PlayStation Store.
I’ve claimed at least $40 worth of free Apex Legends content over the past two years just from my PS Plus subscription, including a Wraith legendary skin that was never released in the in-game store for regular players. It’s not a must-have, but if you already pay for PS Plus for other games, these perks are a nice bonus you don’t want to miss out on. I once even got 5 free battle pass tiers during a season launch that saved me roughly $5 worth of Apex Coins.
Scenarios Where PS Plus Is Required for Apex Legends
For most casual players, you’ll never run into a situation where you need PS Plus to enjoy Apex Legends, but there are a few rare exceptions you should keep in mind. These only apply to very specific use cases, so most of you reading this won’t have to worry about them, but it’s good to have the information handy if you ever want to try out less common features.
If you use PlayStation Plus Premium’s cloud streaming feature to play Apex Legends on a non-PlayStation device like a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, you will need an active Premium subscription to access the game. This rule doesn’t apply if you’re playing directly on your PS4 or PS5, only if you’re streaming the game from Sony’s servers to another device. Another case is official PlayStation-hosted Apex Legends esports qualifiers. All players entering these regional competitive events are required to have an active PS Plus subscription to register, even if the qualifier matches are played in public lobbies.
You also need PS Plus if you want to use the Share Play co-op feature to let a friend play alongside you in a private match when they don’t own the game themselves. None of these apply to the average player, but it’s good to know these rules exist so you aren’t caught off guard if you want to try out one of these features later. I ran into this issue last year when I tried to stream Apex to my work laptop during a work trip, and I had to upgrade my basic PS Plus membership to Premium to make it work.
Should You Buy PS Plus Just for Apex Legends?
If you only play Apex Legends on your PlayStation and no other paid games, there’s no reason to buy a PS Plus subscription just to play the battle royale. All core content is fully accessible without it, and you won’t be locked out of any of the core gameplay loops that make the game fun. You can grind ranked, unlock every legend, collect event rewards, and play with all your cross-platform friends without spending a cent on a subscription.
You’ll only get value from a PS Plus subscription for Apex Legends if you already pay for it for other games, or if you regularly use PlayStation’s cloud streaming features. I know a lot of casual players who only own a PlayStation to play Apex with their friends, and they’ve gone years without paying for PS Plus with zero issues. That said, if you’re on the fence about subscribing for other games, the regular Apex rewards are a nice extra perk that adds a bit of value to your subscription.
Before you buy, make sure to check the PlayStation Store’s PS Plus reward section to see what Apex content is being offered that month, so you can decide if the rewards are worth the cost for you. Never pay for PS Plus solely for access to core Apex Legends gameplay, as it’s entirely unnecessary. Save your money for Apex Coins or a battle pass instead if you want to spend money on the game.
At the end of the day, the answer to do i need ps plus for apex legends is almost always no for casual and competitive players who only want to jump into regular matches. You can enjoy every public mode, unlock every legend and weapon, earn battle pass rewards, and play with friends across all platforms without spending a cent on a PS Plus subscription. If you already have PS Plus for other games, make sure to claim your exclusive Apex rewards each month to get extra value out of your membership. If you don’t have a subscription, you don’t need to rush out and buy one just to drop into your next match.