We introduce you to the best free-to-play MMORPGs that you can play without spending a penny and pay-to-win.
MMORPGs are a dime a dozen. The payment models are often just as diverse as the games themselves. However, subscription models or large expansion costs often keep many players from trying out the world of MMOs. That’s why we want to list the best free-to-play MMORPGs that you can currently play in this article.
These MMORPGs you can play for free
A small warning beforehand: Most of the games we have suggested have an ingame shop that is sometimes more, sometimes less extensive. When compiling the list, however, we made sure that the in-game purchases are kept within reasonable limits and that the MMORPGs do not function according to the pay-to-win principle.
Neverwinter
(Developer: Cryptic Studios – Release: 2013-06-20 – Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Those with a heart for pen&paper and perhaps familiar with the two Neverwinter Nights games can do little wrong with Neverwinter. The MMO is set about 100 years after the events of Neverwinter Nights 2 and offers a whole range of peoples, places and cultures from the Dungeons and Dragons template.
Only recently, the MMO received a major rework in which the previous 80 levels were shrunk to 20 and the experience point system was abolished. Since then, you level up by progressing through the story. You can also play the bard as a new class.
However, not everything is rosy at the moment and there is now criticism of the in-game shop. (Josh Strive Haynes, a well-known MMORPG-YouTuber criticises) for example that all game progress can now be bought with real money, so it is pay-to-progress. If this doesn’t bother you and if you prefer to invest time in grind instead of real money, you should definitely take a look at Neverwinter.
The Lord of the Rings Online
(Developer: Standing Stone Games – Release: 2007-04-24 – Platform: PC)
After the Amazon MMO for Lord of the Rings was scrapped at the beginning of 2021, the Lord of the Rings MMO, which has been around since 2007, is experiencing a real upswing again. Our colleague Sören Diedrich is still absolutely thrilled to be playing Lord of the Rings Online in 2021.
Those who want to lose themselves in the vast Middle Earth and don’t have enough of the classic Lord of the Rings stories will be extremely happy in the long-lasting underdog MMO. The community is also extremely friendly, though you shouldn’t hope for the classic raid guild experience that other MMOs give you. (2021 it’s still incredibly fun) and worth playing even as a newcomer.
Star Trek Online
(Developer: Cryptic Studios – Release: 02.02.2010 – Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Because Star Trek Online has an official Star Trek licence, the free MMO ties in with the popular series, spins the story further and also weaves familiar characters into the universe. As captain of your own spaceship, you sit like Kirk on your bridge, take care of your crew members and complete missions with other players.
As you can probably already imagine, you don’t just steer your spaceship comfortably from the bridge through distant Galicia, but also beam yourself (with or without the help of Scotty) to planets or space bases. You are completely free to decide whether you prefer to play alone or together with other captains.
Albion Online
(Developer: Sandbox Interactive – Release: 2017-07-17 – Platform: PC, iOS, Android)
Albion Online is a sandbox MMO with a strong PvP focus in the fantasy Middle Ages. However, it goes a few different ways than classic MMORPGs. For example, you can decide whether you prefer to fight monsters and other players, or whether you would rather drive the economy by, for example, managing your own farm and offering raw materials.
In addition, Albion Online does not have a fixed class system. Similar to New World, your equipped weapon and armour determines your fighting and playing style. This means you can switch between different styles at any time. Albion Online is not only playable on PC, but also on iOS and Android, so that you can continue playing with your account on any platform, similar to Genshin Impact.
EVE Online
(Developer: CCP Games – Release: 2003-05-06 – Platform: PC)
You may have heard of the great space sandbox MMO, because EVE Online keeps making headlines with exciting stories. For example, over 300,000 players have helped Covid researchers take 330 years of work off their hands by completing analytical tasks, or it set a new world record with the most expensive video game battle of all time.
Despite the reports of incredibly expensive battles, however, you don’t have to invest real money in EVE Online to have fun with the space MMO. Although you can’t get all the ships without a subscription, you’ll still have plenty to do without them. Behind the wheel of your spaceship, for example, you can explore a huge universe, mine resources, tackle enemies in PvE or compete with other players in PvP.
These MMOs have a very extensive free trial
We still want to draw your attention to a few exciting MMOs that are not completely free, but have really extensive trial versions in the form of their free base games. This way you can put an incredible amount of hours into the MMOs and still be free to decide later whether you want to spend money or not.
Guild Wars 2
(Developer: ArenaNet – Release: 2012-08-28 – Platform: PC)
You used to have to buy Guild Wars 2 for real money to play it. Now the basic game is free (with some restrictions like fewer bag slots and limited communication) and you only have to pay money for the expansions. One of the most popular MMOS starts about 250 years after the first part. This time, the races are no longer fighting each other, but have joined forces to fight the primordial dragons.
When you create your character, you choose one of the allied races and a class and can start right away. The basic game already offers an extensive, personal story, as well as open-world events, dungeons, PvP and more, so that you get a good insight into all the content.
Final Fantasy 14
(Developer: Square Enix – Release: 2013-08-24 – Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One)
Final Fantasy 14 also offers an extensive trial version in the form of the base game and the first expansion Heavensward, which you can play for free with some restrictions on retail and communication. Apart from that, however, you can enjoy the complete Final Fantasy 14 experience, which lives above all from its extensive story. Beginners in particular will get their money’s worth in the MMO thanks to its great beginner-friendliness. The Final Fantasy MMO was able to prevail in our big MMORPG comparison mainly due to its simple battle system and the really nice community
Once you have decided on a race and played through A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, you can still try out the Golden Saucer mini-game hub, as well as various raids and dungeons, and play up all the other classes with the same character before you have to decide whether you want to buy the following expansions and sign up for a monthly subscription
Star Wars: The Old Republic
(Developer: BioWare – Release: 2011-12-20 – Platform: PC)
You can also play the base game and all expansions up to and including Shadows of Revan in the Star Wars MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. This already contains the exciting class stories, the main story and many quest decisions. Together with the full soundtrack, there is a round story package for all Star Wars fans.
You can choose between different classes on the Republic and Empire side, which all have their advantages and disadvantages. If you still haven’t had enough after the free insight, you can decide to take out a subscription after reaching level 65 and playing through the free content in order to continue playing.
Do you have any other trial versions that you can recommend? We’ll be happy to add to this list based on your feedback. Of course, this also applies to other Free-To-Play MMOs. We are looking forward to your feedback and suggestions.
