Final Fantasy XIV Online arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 4, 2026, and the store page lists several editions that cover the base game, expansions, and a Dawntrail-only add-on. The differences come down to how much content each package unlocks and whether you plan to subscribe after your free play period ends.
Quick answer: Start with the free trial to reach level 80 at no cost. If you decide to keep playing, buy the Complete Edition, since it bundles every expansion through Dawntrail and saves you from buying that content separately later.
FFXIV Switch 2 editions and prices
Every paid edition requires a Square Enix account and an active subscription after its included free play period. The Dawntrail packages are expansion-only and need the base game already registered on your account.
| Edition | Price (US / UK) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free | Play up to level 80 with no subscription commitment |
| Starter Edition | $19.99 / £11.99 | Base game plus Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers |
| Complete Edition | $59.99 / £44.99 (pre-order $41.99 / £31.49) | Base game and all expansions through Dawntrail |
| Complete Collector’s Edition | $139.99 / £87.99 (pre-order $97.99 / £61.59) | Base game, all expansions, and in-game bonus items |
| Dawntrail | $39.99 / £36.99 | Dawntrail expansion only; base game required |
| Dawntrail Collector’s Edition | $59.99 / £49.99 | Dawntrail expansion plus in-game items; base game required |
The paid editions include a 30-day free play period. That window can be applied only once per platform on a single service account, and it does not apply to a platform where you already registered a license.
Free Trial: play up to level 80 at no cost
The free trial is the safest way to test the game before spending anything. It lets you play up to level 80 across the base game (A Realm Reborn) and the Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers expansions, with no time limit and no subscription fee until you buy a paid edition.
The trial does carry social restrictions. You cannot form your own party, trade, join a Free Company, or send private messages, though you can still be invited into a party by other players.
Note: buying any paid edition ends the free trial permanently for that account. Once you own a version, the monthly subscription requirement kicks in, so hold off on purchasing until you know you want to continue.
The subscription you need after the trial
Once your 30-day free play period ends, you must keep an active paid subscription to reach the content you bought. Without one, you lose access to everything except the free trial. A month costs 1.5k coins, which works out to $15, with the first month priced slightly lower. A three-month plan drops the rate to 1.4k coins per month.
A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to play on Switch 2, during either the early access window or official service. The launch includes an early access period of roughly one month to keep servers stable before official service begins.
Which FFXIV edition to buy on Switch 2
Because the subscription is an ongoing monthly cost on top of your purchase, only commit once you are confident you enjoy the game. The free trial is the smart first step for that reason.
When you do buy in, the Complete Edition is the most practical choice for most players. It includes Dawntrail, so you avoid paying separately for that expansion later. The Starter Edition is enough if you only want the base game and the first three expansions and are unsure how deep you will go. The Collector’s editions add cosmetic in-game items and make sense only if those bonuses matter to you.
One storage note before you commit: the Switch 2 version has an estimated download size of about 117GB, so plan your available space accordingly.
Switching from another platform
Existing players do not get a free pass to the Switch 2 version. Even if you already play on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, you still need to buy the Switch 2 edition and a separate Switch 2 subscription. The one break is that if you have remaining game time on another platform, the Switch 2 subscription is offered at half price.
The Switch 2 build also supports mouse and keyboard input as well as Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, and the game targets a stable 30fps, with possible frame rate dips in certain areas. Your best move is to try the free trial first, then pick the edition that matches how much of Eorzea you want to explore.
