Sony has once again raised the price of its PlayStation Plus subscription service, and this time, the impact is being felt across more than 20 countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. The new rates officially went into effect on April 16, 2025, marking the second major pricing update for many of these regions in less than two years. The timing — and scale — of the increase has sparked fresh backlash from gamers who are already grappling with rising living costs. Sony attributes the changes to “unfavorable global market conditions,” including inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and operational costs. But for many players, the company’s justification is wearing thin.
Affected regions include: Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and others), Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia), East Asia (Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan), and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). This follows a previous global PS Plus price adjustment in September 2023, which impacted the U.S., U.K., and other markets. While those countries are not part of the April 2025 increase, this rollout could foreshadow another round of hikes in Europe and North America later this year.
The size of the increase varies by region and subscription tier, but here are some of the more dramatic examples:
In Australia, the new price for the Essential (12 mo) is $102.95 AUD, Extra (12 mo) is $187.95 AUD, and Deluxe (12 mo) is $214.95 AUD. In Indonesia, the new price for Essential is 1,080,000 IDR, Extra is 1,710,000 IDR, and Deluxe is 1,990,000 IDR. Overall, users are facing price bumps ranging from around 8% to over 21% depending on the plan.
If you’re wondering whether the value is keeping pace with the cost, here’s what each PlayStation Plus tier offers as of April 2025:
- Essential: Online multiplayer access, cloud storage, and monthly free games - ~$9.99/mo or ~$79.99/yr
- Extra: Everything in Essential + access to 400+ downloadable PS4 and PS5 games - ~$14.99/mo or ~$134.99/yr
- Premium (or Deluxe in some regions): Includes classic PS1, PS2, and PSP games, PS3 streaming (where available), and time-limited game trials - ~$17.99/mo or ~$159.99/yr
The Deluxe plan replaces Premium in regions without cloud streaming and excludes PS3 titles.
New subscribers will pay the higher prices immediately, starting April 16, 2025. Existing subscribers will see the new pricing kick in on their next renewal date after June 24, 2025. Notably, users in South Korea who don’t change their plan might avoid the hike for now. If your subscription is about to expire, now may be a good time to renew early and lock in current rates before they vanish.
This move puts Sony in an increasingly precarious position. On one hand, they argue the price hikes are necessary to maintain the quality and scale of offerings. On the other, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass continues to provide a strong alternative — often at a more competitive price point, especially when factoring in first-party game launches on day one. Gamers are beginning to weigh the benefits of each ecosystem more closely. And in a world where subscription fatigue is real, every dollar counts.
While this latest hike doesn’t target the U.S., U.K., or EU markets directly, Sony’s language around “global market conditions” leaves the door wide open for more price changes. If your subscription is locked in at current rates, enjoy it while it lasts — the next email from Sony might bring bad news. The takeaway: The cost of being a PlayStation fan is going up — again. Whether the perks and games included in your PS Plus subscription still feel worth the money is something each player will need to reevaluate.
In Canada, the situation mirrors the global trend. Sony has raised the price of PlayStation Plus memberships, with a one-year subscription now costing $109.99 CAD for the base Essential plan. The Extra Plan has risen to $189.99 CAD for a year, while the Premium Plan, which adds the Classics Catalog, Game Trials, and Cloud Streaming, is now $224.99 CAD for 12 months. Before the increase, the prices were $94.99, $154.99, and $189.99 for Essential, Extra, and Premium, respectively. This results in increases of 15.8% for Essential members, 22.6% for Extra members, and 18.4% for Premium members.
The news of the price increase comes on the heels of PlayStation Plus prices increasing in other countries. Sony has yet to make a public statement on the price increase as of publishing. Instead, the PlayStation Store’s website has been updated, and emails are being sent to current subscribers. In the email to members, Sony’s only reasoning for the increase was that it allowed them to “continue bringing high-quality games and benefits to [the] PlayStation Plus subscription service.”
In summary, the PlayStation Plus price hikes have raised questions about the service's value proposition. Many subscribers are now scrutinizing whether the benefits provided justify the increased costs. With the rise of alternative gaming subscription services, particularly Microsoft’s Game Pass, players are weighing their options carefully. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Sony must navigate these challenges to retain its subscriber base.
