If you’re just getting into Respawn Entertainment’s hit battle royale, one of the first questions you might ask is do you have to pay to play Apex Legends. I’ve been grinding the game since its launch, and I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing without dropping a single cent, so I can break down exactly what’s free, what costs money, and whether spending cash gives you any real edge over other players. This guide covers every part of the game’s monetization model so you can decide if you want to spend money, or just enjoy all the core content without opening your wallet.
Do You Have to Pay to Play Apex Legends Core Gameplay?
The short answer is no, you never have to pay to access the core of Apex Legends. The entire base game, including every standard game mode, is 100% free to download and play on every supported platform, from PC to console to mobile. You don’t even need a paid subscription to most online services to play it on console, unlike many other multiplayer games – though platform-specific exceptions do apply for some premium features.
All core gameplay elements are available to free players from the moment you make your account. That means you can jump into trios, duos, ranked play, and limited-time game modes without paying a dime. You’ll also have full access to every map that’s currently in rotation, no paywall in sight. I’ve hit Masters rank three separate times on a fully free account, so I can confirm you never have to spend money to compete at the highest casual or ranked levels.
What Paid Content Is Available in Apex Legends?
While the core game is free, Respawn does offer optional paid content for players who want to customize their experience or unlock extra rewards. None of this content gives you a competitive advantage, so you never have to buy it to keep up with other players. The most common paid offerings include:
- Battle Passes: Released every season, these cost around $10 and unlock exclusive skins, emotes, crafting materials, and in-game currency as you level up through gameplay. If you complete the full pass, you’ll earn enough currency to buy the next season’s pass for free, so many players only ever pay for one pass total.
- Legend Bundles: New legends are added every season, and while you can unlock them for free with in-game currency, you can also buy bundles that include the legend and exclusive skins right away.
- Cosmetic Skins and Bundles: The in-game store rotates weekly with limited-edition skins for weapons, legends, banners, and finishers. These are purely cosmetic and don’t change any gameplay stats at all.
- Premium Currency Packs: You can buy Apex Coins, the game’s premium currency, in packs ranging from $5 to $100, to spend on any of the paid content listed above.
It’s worth noting that even most paid cosmetic content can be earned for free over time if you save up crafting materials, which you get just from playing the game and leveling up your account and battle pass. I’ve unlocked dozens of legendary skins without paying, just by saving my materials for skins I really wanted.
Common Myths About Paying for Apex Legends
There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about how Apex’s monetization works, especially from new players who haven’t spent much time in the game. Let’s break down the most common myths to clear up confusion.
First, many new players think that paid players get access to better weapons or stronger legends, but that’s not true at all. Every legend and weapon in the game has the exact same stats for free and paid players – the only difference is whether you have a cosmetic skin equipped on them. Even if you buy a legend immediately when it releases, free players can unlock that same legend a few weeks later with free in-game currency, so you never get locked out of gameplay content forever.
Another myth is that you have to buy the battle pass every season to get meaningful rewards. While the paid pass has more cosmetic rewards, the free track of every battle pass gives out plenty of useful items, including crafting materials, weapon charms, and even enough Apex Coins to put toward a future paid pass if you save up. I’ve gone multiple seasons without buying the pass and still walked away with plenty of great free rewards.
When It Makes Sense to Spend Money on Apex Legends
While you never have to spend money to enjoy Apex Legends, there are a few cases where spending a small amount can make your experience more enjoyable, if you have the budget for it. These are all fully optional, so don’t feel pressured to spend if you don’t want to.
The best value for most players is the seasonal battle pass, if you play regularly enough to complete most of its levels. As I mentioned earlier, if you finish the full pass, you’ll earn 1000 Apex Coins back, which is exactly the cost of the next season’s pass. That means one $10 purchase can get you permanent access to every future battle pass, as long as you keep up with the level grind each season. It’s a great deal if you play the game a few times a week.
If you’re a huge fan of a specific legend or weapon, you might also want to splurge on a limited-edition skin that you really love, especially if it’s part of a collab event that won’t come back. Just make sure you’re only spending money you can afford to spare, since these are purely cosmetic purchases that don’t add anything to your gameplay experience. Never spend money on Apex Coins or bundles expecting to get a competitive advantage, because that simply doesn’t exist in the game.
At the end of the day, do you have to pay to play Apex Legends? The answer is a resounding no, and you can get hundreds, even thousands of hours of fun out of the game without ever spending a cent. The entire core gameplay loop, all maps, all game modes, and every legend and weapon is accessible to free players, so you never have to worry about being locked out of content that gives other players an edge. If you do decide to spend money, stick to purchases that add value for you personally, like a battle pass or a skin for your main legend, and you’ll get the most out of your investment.