You unbox a new console, plug it in, and then a screen asks for a monthly payment before you can play online. It feels like a trap. Sometimes you need that payment, and sometimes you do not. The difference comes down to what you actually play.

The one rule that decides it

On the three big consoles, the subscription mostly pays for one thing: online multiplayer in paid games. That means jumping into matches or co-op with other people over the internet in a game you bought. PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass and Nintendo Switch Online all list online play as part of their entry membership.

Almost everything else works without paying. Single-player games, couch co-op on one screen, downloading games, and using the store are all free. Free-to-play games such as Fortnite are a special case, and they are the one most people get wrong.

Free-to-play games are the exception

A free-to-play game costs nothing to download, and the platforms let you play it online without a membership. Xbox says all players can use online multiplayer for free-to-play games on console at no charge. PlayStation lists Fortnite, Apex Legends and Call of Duty Warzone as games that do not need PlayStation Plus. Nintendo also says some free-to-play games, Fortnite among them, can be played online without a membership.

So a child who only plays free-to-play games on a console can skip the subscription. The catch: the game may sell in-game items, which is a separate cost to keep an eye on.

Try it: what do you actually play?

What the membership also gives you

Online play is the reason many families pay, but the memberships bundle extras. These change over time, so read the current list before you decide. Nintendo Switch Online adds classic game libraries and cloud backup for compatible saves. PlayStation Plus Essential adds monthly games, discounts and cloud storage. Game Pass tiers above the entry level add a growing game library you can download and play.

Those extras can be worth it by themselves. They are not what you need if your only question is "can I play online?"

What it costs, roughly

Paying month to month, entry memberships usually land around €4–10 depending on the service and your country, and paying for a year at once is typically cheaper per month. Prices and plan names change, so check the current price in your console's store before you commit. If a membership is cheaper than the games you would otherwise buy, that is a fair reason to pay. If you only play single-player games, there is nothing to buy.

What to look for

Before you pay, run through four checks:

1. Is the game free-to-play? If yes, you can usually play online with no membership.

2. Do you want online matches or online co-op in a paid game? If yes on console, you need the entry membership.

3. Is it just you, or a couch full of friends on one screen? Then you need nothing.

4. Is it a trial month? If you start one, set a reminder to cancel or switch to a yearly plan on purpose, so the renewal never surprises you.

When in doubt, start free. You can add a membership the day a friend invites you to a match, and take it off again when you stop playing.