Is The Sims 4 Free? What You Get and What Costs Money
November 9, 2026 · 5 min read
On this page
- Where to download The Sims 4 for free
- What the free base game includes
- What costs money
- Do you need any packs?
- Things to know before you download
- If you bought The Sims 4 before it went free
- Frequently asked questions
- Is The Sims 4 still free in 2026?
- Is The Sims 4 free on Steam?
- Is The Sims 4 free on PS5 and Xbox?
- What do you get in the free version of The Sims 4?
- Are Sims 4 expansion packs free?
- Do you need an EA account to play The Sims 4?
Yes, The Sims 4 is free. EA made the base game free to play on October 18, 2022, and it's still free on PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox. It isn't a trial and there's no time limit. What costs money is the extra content: expansion packs, game packs, stuff packs, kits and creator-made Maker Packs.
Last checked: November 9, 2026.
Where to download The Sims 4 for free
| Platform | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Windows PC | EA app, Steam or Epic Games Store |
| Mac | EA app |
| PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 | PlayStation Store |
| Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S | Microsoft Store |
Whichever store you use, you need an EA account. On PC and Mac the game also runs through the EA app, even if you got it on Steam, and you'll need to link your EA and Steam accounts.
Your EA account gives you both the PC and Mac versions, and packs you own carry over between the two. Console versions are separate: packs and saves don't move between console and computer.
What the free base game includes
The free version is the full base game, not a cut-down demo. You get:
- All three modes: Create a Sim for designing Sims, Build mode for houses, and Live mode for playing their lives.
- Three worlds: Willow Creek and Oasis Springs, which have ready-made homes, venues and families, plus Newcrest, which is empty lots for you to build on.
- Base game careers, skills and aspirations. Skills range from Charisma and Cooking to Rocket Science and Writing. Our Sims 4 skill cheats guide lists the base game skills.
- The Gallery, where you can download Sims, houses and rooms that other players have made and shared.
- Every free update since 2014. Pools, ghosts, toddlers (added in 2017) and infants (added in March 2023) all arrived as free base game updates.
Free updates are still coming. In 2026, base game patches added free children's and toddler clothes and items in September, and free elder outfits and furniture in October, along with new options to switch weight and muscle changes on or off.
On PC and Mac, you can also add free mods and custom content made by other players. See how to install Sims 4 mods and CC for the steps.
What costs money
| Content | What it adds | How you buy it |
|---|---|---|
| Expansion packs | The biggest packs: new worlds, careers and major systems | Platform store; recent ones cost $39.99 at launch |
| Game packs | Smaller themed features, often with a new world | Platform store |
| Stuff packs | A small set of furniture and clothing, sometimes with a little gameplay | Platform store |
| Kits | The smallest packs, with furniture or clothing only | EA app, Steam or the in-game Marketplace on PC and Mac; Marketplace with Moola only on console |
| Maker Packs | Items made by approved community creators | In-game Marketplace with Moola only |
There are 21 expansion packs so far, the latest being Royalty & Legacy (February 12, 2026), plus 12 game packs. See all Sims 4 expansion packs in order for the full list.
Moola is the game's virtual currency, added with the in-game Marketplace in March 2026. You buy it through your platform's store and spend it on Maker Packs and kits. Expansion, game and stuff packs can't be bought with Moola; you pay for those normally. Our Marketplace and Moola guide has the details.
Do you need any packs?
No. The base game is complete on its own, and you can play for as long as you like without spending anything. Packs add new worlds, careers, life states and objects, so they're worth considering once you know what you enjoy most. Many players start with the free game, then pick a pack that matches their play style, such as pets, university or seasons.
Things to know before you download
- You need an EA account. Depending on your country, you may need to be 13 or 16 or older to create one.
- You need internet to activate the game. After installation and activation, EA says you can play offline. Online features, such as the Gallery and the Marketplace, still need a connection.
- It's rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
- Your computer needs to meet the requirements. The base game needs at least 4 GB of RAM and 25 GB of free space on PC. See our Sims 4 system requirements guide for the full list.
- The game includes optional purchases of virtual currency (Moola). Nothing in the base game requires it.
If you bought The Sims 4 before it went free
You keep everything you own, including any packs. Nothing changed for existing players except that new players could join for free. Players who had bought the base game could also claim the Desert Luxe Kit as a thank-you gift between September 14 and October 17, 2022; that offer has ended.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Sims 4 still free in 2026?
Yes. The base game has been free to play since October 18, 2022, and it's still free on every platform. You only pay if you want extra packs or Marketplace content.
Is The Sims 4 free on Steam?
Yes. You can download the base game for free on Steam, but you'll also need an EA account and the EA app, and you'll have to link your EA and Steam accounts.
Is The Sims 4 free on PS5 and Xbox?
Yes. The base game is free on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Packs bought on console only work on that platform.
What do you get in the free version of The Sims 4?
You get the full base game: Create a Sim, Build mode, Live mode, three worlds, base game careers and skills, the Gallery, and every free update released since launch. It isn't a trial and has no time limit.
Are Sims 4 expansion packs free?
No. Expansion packs are paid add-ons, and recent ones cost $39.99 at launch. Game packs, stuff packs, kits and Maker Packs are paid too.
Do you need an EA account to play The Sims 4?
Yes. Every platform requires an EA account to install and register the game, and you need internet to activate it. After that, you can play offline.
