SWTOR F2P vs Preferred vs Subscriber Differences Guide

This guide will give you a basic explanation of what the differences are between the various account tiers for SWTOR: Subscriber, Free-to-Play, and Preferred.

Account Tier Differences

There are three account types for SWTOR. The devs like to call them tiers because each one offers more freedom and additional features than the previous. They are:

Subscribers to Star Wars: The Old Republic receive significant benefits compared to a Free-to-Play (F2P) and Preferred Player status, such as no restrictions on crew skills for crafting, full access to all gameplay features and the latest story content, no limits on resources, freedom to earn and equip the top EndGame gear, quicker and more fluid leveling experience and more.

Free-to-Play is the status you start the game with if you have just downloaded it. It is more of an extended demo of the game.

What Story Content is accessible to F2P

If you are interested in only playing the origin class stories (which offer hundreds of hours of missions), you can do them without spending money at all.

With the release of Game Update 6.0 and the Onslaught expansion the developers changed the free-to-play level cap from 50 to 60. You can now play through the first two expansions (Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan) of the game for free.

There is a way to get to a higher level as F2P – by purchasing the Master’s Datacron from the in-game store. This will also make you a Preferred player.

I do not recommend the Master’s Datacron to new players. Being high level while doing low level content will not have much of a benefit and it may prevent you from properly learning your character’s combat style and disciplines.

Limitations of F2P and Preferred

You will have a limited number of character slots per server as F2P. Your characters will not be able to operate with the full amount of the credits you earn.

As soon as you purchase something from the In-Game Cartel Store or subscribe to the game and let your subscription expire, you become a Preferred player, this is the middle tier.

While still limiting, it is lighter on restrictions. The minimum money you have to spend to gain the Preferred status is $5.

In the past, you were not able to fast-travel or revive yourself as F2P and Preferred player without purchasing the consumables for that. After 6.0 these restrictions were removed and everyone can now navigate the universe easier and faster.

Preferred players can have up to 12 characters per server without paying for extra unlocks. They can also trade with other players after they get to level 10. This one is likely a restriction to combat gold sellers and scammers.

Preferred players can also send in-game mail to other players and can attack a single item. Subscribers have eight slots to attach items and credits.

Once you subscribe to SWTOR, however, you get to experience the game the way its developers and designers meant for it to be played.

After you subscription expires, you will retain access to the following features:

• Artifact Authorization – If any of your characters have equipped gear that requires Artifact Authorization, they can continue to use that level of gear so long as you do not unequip it. If you want to transfer such item to another character, you will need to resubscribe or purchase the Artifact Authorization unlock.
• If you subscribe during an expansion era, after your subscription runs out, you will still have access to all storylines released up to that point and likely any future ones, part of the same expansion (unless specific requirements state otherwise)

SWTOR is available on Steam, which means you can purchase additional Steam Bundles with cosmetics there as well as get your Subscription and Cartel Coins directly from Steam if this is more convenient to you. The prices are the same.

The most recent Improvements

Update 7.7.1 was yet another step towards unlocking basic features for F2P accounts. Now you gain access to all of the features listed below for free:

• Equip Companion Customizations
• Use and display Legacy Titles
• Earn Rested XP (log out in cantina or ship)
• Use the first Cargo Bay tab for free
• Use Hide Head Slot
• Receive increased Escrow payouts
• Use all Quickbars

For many years the limit of toolbars (quickbars) has been among the most frustrating parts of playing as F2P. Unlike many modern MMOs and MOBA games, SWTOR features a ton of ability your character gets access to as you level up. Not being able to fit them on your quickbars, was frustrating.

Cosmetic tweaks such as toggling the visibility of your head gear and the ability to display Legacy Titles, are very welcomed and adds a unique flair to your toons.

The effect of your first Subscription

Your First Subscription to Star Wars: The Old Republic will grant you full access to all of the story content released to date. With the possibility of additional story updates from the expansion’s cycle also being accessible to you for free.

Even if you drop your status to Preferred (one level below Subscriber), you will keep your created characters and the full access to all of the planets and regions released to that moment.

Other restrictions will apply, such as limited or no access to group content, limited inventory space, limited or no access to certain high level gear and more.

You first Subscription will allow you to see the game the way it was originally meant to be played by the developers. SWTOR launched in December 2011 as a regular Subscription-based MMORPG. It adopted the Free-to-play (F2P) model in 2012.

On some websites, such as the official EA-owned sites and pages, you may see the term Premium Player. This is is nothing else but a Subscriber. For some reason the company decided a few years ago to replace Subscriber with the more fancy Premium Player. There is no other difference than the spelling, be sure of that! :)

One month vs Recurring Subscription

If you Subscribe to the game once, that will allow you to have access forever (yes, even after the subscription expires) to all stories and expansions that are currently available (without the future ones, of course).

Considering that 4.0 Fallen Empire + 5.0 Eternal Throne + 6.0 Onslaught + 7.0 Legacy of the Sith were worth a lot more than the $15 when they were released, I’d say it’s a great deal.

If you enjoy the game in Subscriber mode, you can just put it to a recurring monthly plan. Once you pay and your status changes in-game, you can cancel it and you will still have your remaining days to play before your status changes back to Preferred.

Once you Subscribe to the game or purchase something for real money, you will never go back to F2P. Your account tier will always be at least Preferred.

Currently, the state of the game is suggesting that if you are a casual player, a 1 month Sub followed by Preferred status gameplay experience might be best for you. If you enjoy the endgame, keep reading below to understand why is it important to be subscribed on monthly basis.

I’d like to extend a warning. Your experience in SWTOR as a Subscriber (Premium Player) will differ a lot and you may never want to play the game with the restrictions of Preferred again after that.

Should you Subscribe to SWTOR and why

The game offers a large world to explore for free. Yes, there are limitations, but let’s face it, if you are just starting the game now, you may have not notice most of them. At least until much, much later.

The constant prompts to spend Cartel Coins to unlock this and that should not bother those who have experience playing other F2P MMO games as the situation is similar everywhere.

SWTOR offers all eight origin class stories FOR FREE. That’s roughly 30 to 50 hours of gameplay per story. Maybe even longer, duration may vary based on your approach and past experience.

If you are going to play it just for the story and the personal Star Wars adventure or experience, you need no Subscription. At all.

It will be slower, you will not be allowed to have a lot of money, your looks and outfit options will be somewhat limited, you will not be allowed to wear the most powerful gear (you don’t need it for questing either).

If you are more serious about progression – character development, endgame gearing and progression, achievements, rewards, collecting pets and so on and so on, you should consider subscribing to the game.

There are plenty of PvE and PvP content opportunities for a new player or someone, who just subscribed for the first time in their SWTOR life.

For veteran players, the game does not offer enough fresh new content on regular basis, which is why many active players let their subscriptions expire and switch to Preferred while waiting for new content.

Broadsword has been in a steady schedule for the 7.0 cycle, releasing two story content updates per year with two additional smaller updates between them.

If you are among those who played the game at launch and left it soon after – take a look, play F2P for a day or two, if you like it, Subscribe and experience all that you have missed.

In short, here is what I recommend you do:

• Subscribe monthly if you want fast progression, easier leveling, regular gameplay with no limitations.
• Subscribe once to unlock your story content all the way up to the current level cap and enjoy the narrative casually as you get to keep access to all planets and places after your sub expires.
• Do not Subscribe if you plan to play 1-2 hours a day and do not care about farming your gear and achievements.