---
title: "Is Star Trek Online Free to Play? | Free STO Download"
canonical: "https://ptfarmada.com/answers/star-trek-online-free-to-play/"
source: "https://ptfarmada.com/answers/star-trek-online-free-to-play/"
date_published: "2026-09-09"
date_modified: "2026-09-09"
---

# Is Star Trek Online free to play?

**Yes.** Star Trek Online is free to download and play on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Optional in-game purchases and paid bundles are available.

## Is Star Trek Online free?

Yes. You do not have to buy the base game or pay a required monthly subscription to play.

Arc Games still describes Star Trek Online as a free-to-play MMORPG, and the official Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox stores all list the base game as free.

STO uses optional microtransactions. Zen is the premium currency used for many in-game purchases, including ships, bundles, services and other Zen Store items. You can download and start playing the base game without buying Zen, ships or bundles.

Official sources: [Arc Games](https://www.arcgames.com/en/splash/ads/star-trek-online) · [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/9900/Star_Trek_Online/) · [Epic Games Store](https://store.epicgames.com/p/star-trek-online) · [PlayStation Store](https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/222446) · [Xbox Store](https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/star-trek-online/c3lf9pcrp9rp)

## When did Star Trek Online become free to play?

**17 January 2012.** Star Trek Online originally launched as a paid subscription MMO in 2010 and officially switched to its free-to-play model on 17 January 2012.

Historical source: [StarTrek.com — Star Trek Online Is F2P As Of Today](https://www.startrek.com/videos/star-trek-online-f2p-today)

## Where can I download Star Trek Online for free?

### Windows PC

- [Arc Games — download Star Trek Online](https://www.arcgames.com/en/splash/ads/star-trek-online)
- [Steam — Star Trek Online](https://store.steampowered.com/app/9900/Star_Trek_Online/)
- [Epic Games Store — Star Trek Online](https://store.epicgames.com/p/star-trek-online)

### PlayStation

- [PlayStation Store — Star Trek Online](https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/222446) — PS4 version; Sony lists it as playable on PS5.

### Xbox

- [Xbox Store — Star Trek Online](https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/star-trek-online/c3lf9pcrp9rp) — Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

**Short version:** the base game is free. Pick the official download route for your platform and play; paid purchases are optional.