PS4 online is free to play without an active PlayStation Plus membership. Unlike other gaming consoles, such as Xbox, PlayStation allows players to access online multiplayer features without having to pay for a subscription. This means that you can enjoy playing games online with your friends or other players around the world without any additional cost.
I personally find this to be a great advantage of the PlayStation platform. It allows me to connect with my friends and engage in multiplayer gaming experiences without having to worry about paying a monthly or yearly fee. This is especially beneficial for those who may not be able to afford a PlayStation Plus membership or for those who simply do not want to spend extra money on online gaming.
However, it is important to note that there are certain limitations when it comes to online gaming on PlayStation. While you can play online multiplayer games for free, there are some additional features and benefits that are exclusive to PlayStation Plus members. These include access to free monthly games, exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store, and the ability to upload game saves to the cloud.
Another aspect to consider is the PlayStation Now subscription. PlayStation Now is a cloud gaming service that allows you to stream and download a wide variety of games on your PlayStation console or PC. With a PS Now subscription, you can play games from a vast library of titles without needing to purchase them individually. And the best part is that you can play these games online without needing a PlayStation Plus membership.
However, if you want to transfer your game saves from a PlayStation console to a PC while using PS Now, you will need an active PlayStation Plus membership. This is because the ability to transfer game saves is a feature that is exclusive to PlayStation Plus members. So, if you want to continue your progress in a game on a different platform, you will need to have a PS Plus subscription.
While PlayStation online multiplayer gaming is free and does not require a PlayStation Plus membership, there are additional features and benefits that are exclusive to PS Plus members. These include free monthly games, discounts, and the ability to transfer game saves. However, if you are using PS Now to play games on a PC and want to transfer your game saves from a PlayStation console, you will need a PlayStation Plus membership.