How to Activate PS Plus
PlayStation Plus is Sony's subscription service that gives you online multiplayer, free monthly games, and a catalog of hundreds of titles. Here's how to activate it using a PSN gift card.
PS Plus Tiers in 2026
| Feature | Essential | Extra | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online multiplayer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free monthly games (2–3) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Game Catalog (400+ titles) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| PlayStation Plus Classics | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Game Trials (time-limited) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cloud Streaming | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Essential is the minimum for online play. Extra adds a large game library. Premium includes PS1/PS2/PSP classics and game trials.
How to Activate PS Plus Using a PSN Gift Card
Step 1: Buy a PSN Gift Card
Purchase a PSN gift card (USD, EUR, or local currency) on Marix. The code arrives by email within minutes.
Step 2: Redeem the Gift Card on Your PlayStation
On PS5:
- Go to Settings → Users and Accounts → Account → Redeem Codes.
- Enter the 12-digit code and select Redeem.
On PS4:
- Open the PlayStation Store from the home screen.
- Scroll down and select Redeem Codes.
- Enter the code and confirm.
On the Web:
- Go to store.playstation.com and sign in.
- Select your avatar (top-right) → Redeem Codes.
- Enter the code and click Redeem.
Step 3: Use the Balance to Buy PS Plus
After redeeming the gift card, your PSN wallet will have a balance. Then:
- Visit the PlayStation Store → Subscriptions → PlayStation Plus.
- Choose your tier (Essential / Extra / Premium) and duration (1 month / 3 months / 12 months).
- Select Subscribe — the wallet balance will be used automatically.
PS Plus Pricing by Region
Regional pricing varies significantly. Turkey offers some of the lowest prices for PSN:
| Plan | Turkey (approx. USD) | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Essential 12 months | ~$20–25 | $79.99 |
| Extra 12 months | ~$35–40 | $134.99 |
| Premium 12 months | ~$45–55 | $159.99 |
Using a Turkish PSN account with gift cards from Marix is a popular way to save 60–70%.
FAQ
Do Free Monthly Games Expire If I Unsubscribe?
Yes. Free monthly games require an active PS Plus subscription to play. They'll be available again if you resubscribe.
Can I Upgrade from Essential to Extra or Premium?
Yes. Sony applies a prorated credit for your remaining Essential subscription and charges the difference for the upgrade.
Does PS Plus Work on Both PS4 and PS5?
Yes. Your PS Plus benefits work on both consoles when signed into the same account.
Can I Share PS Plus with Family?
On PS5, set one console as your Primary Console — all accounts on that console share your PS Plus benefits. On PS4, the equivalent is Activate as Your Primary PS4.