Final Fantasy XIV is a widely-acclaimed MMORPG. Although it first launched in 2013, FFXIV still has a massive following several years later. As of 2022, Square Enix has updated the game four times, ensuring that it stays fresh to old players while adding interest to new players.

But what if you want to try FFXIV before buying the game and its subscription? That's why Square Enix lets you enjoy a 30-day free trial. Here's how you can get it and how far those 30 days will take you.

Where to Get the Final Fantasy XIV Free Trial

You can download the free trial from the official Final Fantasy XIV Online page. Click on the Start Your Free Trial button and either create or log into your Square Enix account. Once you do that, you'll be redirected to the page where you can download and install the game for free on your Windows PC, Mac, or PS4/5.

When you've installed the game's launcher and logged into your account, it will now download the nearly 50GB game. Once it's complete, you can then jump into Eorzea.

What You Don't Get With the Free Trial

While the Final Fantasy XIV trial lets you play the game for free, it does come with some limitations. You can only create eight characters in the game, with only one playable character per world. Furthermore, the trial limits all of your characters to level 60—you can't level up any higher than that.

completed quest in ff xiv
Image Credit: JR Salazar/Flickr

You're also economically limited in the game, as you can only have a maximum of 300,000 Gil in your wallet. If you're a free trial player, there are some items in the in-game store that you can't buy, like item gift codes. The in-game market board and trading with other players are also off-limits for you.

More than that, you don't have access to some game mechanics as a free trial player. This includes the ability to create Linkshells or Cross-World Linkshells, assemble a party, create or join a PvP team in ranked matches, and create or join a Free Company.

Furthermore, you don't have access to the official Final Fantasy XIV forum and the Companion app while you're in the free trial.

Try Final Fantasy XIV for Free

Final Fantasy XIV Gaius mission completed
Image Credit: JR Salazar/Flickr

Despite all those limitations, the Final Fantasy XIV free trial is an excellent way for new users to try the RPG. Besides, you might not need these features if you're a new player—after all, you're just starting and exploring the game.

If you find the game to your liking, you can finish the 30-day free trial then purchase the game and its subscription. That way, you can get more free game time before shelling out cash. Nevertheless, you can upgrade the game at any time within the 30-day period. After all, if you really like the game and want to get all of its benefits, why wait for the free trial to end?

Will You Immerse Yourself in Final Fantasy XIV?

The free trial Square Enix offers for Final Fantasy XIV will definitely get new players interested in the game. That way, they can try out its gameplay, mechanics, and community before investing in it.

Despite the high entry cost and subscription fees, Final Fantasy XIV still has an active community. Even the game's expansions aren't free, but players still purchase them. This reflects the quality the game offers to its players, making each purchase a worthwhile investment.

So, if you want to see for yourself what all the Final Fantasy buzz is about, then now's your chance to get into the game for free. Who knows? You might just have found your next big adventure.