Free forever, capped
Publisher: Jagex
Platforms: Windows, macOS, browser, iOS, Android
Free-to-play accounts get about 15 of the game's 24 skills and a much smaller starting map than members. Membership can be bought with real money, or earned in-game by trading gold for a "bond" on the Grand Exchange.
What's free: a real, playable slice of the world with core combat, most early quests and 15 skills.
What paying unlocks: the full world map, 9 additional skills and most quests and activities added since the original game.
Official site: oldschool.runescape.com →
Free forever, capped
Publisher: Jagex
Platforms: Windows, macOS, browser, mobile
The actively updated, modernized branch of RuneScape (distinct from Old School RuneScape above). Free accounts are confined to a small starting region and can train members-only skills only up to level 5.
What's free: the Asgarnia and Misthalin kingdoms, part of Karamja, and the Wilderness, plus core skills.
What paying unlocks: a map roughly three times larger, 12 additional skills without the level-5 cap, and new quests added regularly.
Official site: play.runescape.com →
Free, no subscription ever
Publisher: ArenaNet / NCSoft
Platforms: Windows
The core game is free with no subscription fee, ever, according to ArenaNet's own site. You pay once for each expansion (Heart of Thorns through the newer Visions of Eternity) if you want the newer maps and story.
What's free: the entire original Guild Wars 2 campaign, professions, leveling and world versus world.
What paying unlocks: each expansion's new maps, elite specializations and story chapters; the gem store sells cosmetics and convenience, not required progress.
Official site: guildwars2.com →
Free forever, capped
Publisher: Fenris Creations (formerly CCP Games)
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Alpha clone accounts are free indefinitely. According to EVE's own clone-state documentation, Alpha clones can train toward roughly 20 million skill points and fly tech one frigates through battleships across all factions.
What's free: the entire single-shard universe, a real player-driven economy, and enough ship classes to fly and fight indefinitely.
What paying unlocks: an Omega subscription removes the skill point cap and unlocks the rest of the ships, skills and items in the game.
Official site: eveonline.com →
Free, no restrictions
Publisher: Sandbox Interactive
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox Series X|S
Free-to-play since April 2019. Free accounts have no content walls: the same full-loot open world, crafting economy and PvP zones as a Premium account.
What's free: the entire game, on any supported platform, with one account shared across PC, mobile and Xbox since April 2026.
What paying unlocks: Premium status, which increases resource and loot gains; it can also be bought with in-game silver instead of real money.
Official site: albiononline.com →
Free-to-play
Developer: Cryptic Studios Publisher: Arc Games
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
A Dungeons & Dragons-licensed MMORPG that has run as free-to-play since launch, with regular module updates continuing through 2026.
What's free: the full leveling campaign, dungeons and classes.
What paying unlocks: cosmetics, mounts, companions and convenience items through the Zen Market; none are required to reach or clear endgame dungeons.
Official site: playneverwinter.com →
Free-to-play
Developer: Dimensional Ink Games Publisher: Daybreak Game Company
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
A superhero-themed MMO that remains free-to-play and actively updated, with content updates such as "Tides of War" continuing through 2026.
What's free: character creation, the full leveling campaign and access to alerts and raids.
What paying unlocks: a Legendary membership and cash-shop items add extra character slots, styles and convenience; core content is playable without them.
Official site: dcuniverseonline.com →
Free-to-play
Developer: Smilegate Publisher (West): Amazon Games
Platforms: Windows (via Steam)
Free-to-play with in-game purchases, per its own store listing. The full class roster and leveling campaign are available without payment.
What's free: the entire main story campaign, every class, and access to the raid-style endgame.
What paying unlocks: cosmetics and convenience items; competitive endgame progression leans on running several alternate characters, which takes time rather than money.
Official site: playlostark.com →
Free with restrictions
Developer: Broadsword Online Games Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: Windows, macOS (open beta)
Free-to-play permanently, with a 1,000,000-credit cap (extra credits go into an escrow account) and some conveniences locked behind the Cartel Market or a subscription.
What's free: all eight original class stories and the base leveling game, plus, per the developer, full access to all six quickbars as of a 2025 update.
What paying unlocks: the credit cap is lifted for subscribers, and a subscription or Cartel Market purchases add expansion content and unlock caps on unified inventory and other systems.
Official site: swtor.com →
Free trial, capped
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Windows, macOS
The Starter Edition has no time limit; you can stay on it indefinitely. It is capped at character level 20, with no guild membership, Auction House access, trading, mail, or WoW Classic access, and a 10-gold limit.
What's free: levels 1 to 20 of the current game, for as long as you want, with no forced upgrade timer.
What paying unlocks: a monthly subscription removes the level cap and all Starter Edition restrictions, opening the rest of the game and its expansions.
Official site: worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com →