
ESO Online Free Trial (2025) – Play On Steam Now
An ESO Online free trial is not currently available. While Bethesda occasionally hosts Free Play events that let you try the game for a limited time, there isn’t one running at the moment. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the game at a great price.
Right now, Steam is offering a 75% discount on The Elder Scrolls Online, dropping the standard price from $19.99 to just $4.99. And if you change your mind after purchasing, you can request a refund within 14 days—provided you haven’t played the game for more than 2 hours.
ESO also offers a premium membership called ESO Plus, which includes a host of in-game perks like increased experience gain, access to all DLC game packs, and a monthly stipend of Crowns.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the ESO Online free trial—what’s available, what’s not, how to save money, and what to expect in terms of features, limitations, refunds, and more.
Keep reading to explore your options!
ESO Online Free Trial: In A Nutshell
An ESO Online free trial is not currently available. That said, players still have plenty of opportunities to explore the game affordably. While a permanent free trial does not exist, Bethesda frequently hosts limited-time Free Play events where you can enjoy the base game.

These Free Play events typically last between seven and fourteen days. During that time, players can access the base game and sometimes expansions like Morrowind. You get full access to core features, and your progress is saved if you later decide to buy the game.
Bethesda has hosted Free Play events around big updates or seasonal promotions. For example, events in April 2024 and November 2023 gave players access to special DLC and seasonal content. These events are announced on ESO’s website and social media channels.

Even though there’s no free event at the moment, the game is deeply discounted on Steam. Right now, you can purchase The Elder Scrolls Online Standard Edition for just $4.99, down from its regular price of $19.99, a great deal for new players.

If you’re not sure about committing, Steam also offers a generous refund policy. You can request a refund within 14 days of purchase, as long as you haven’t played more than two hours. It’s a solid way to test the game risk-free.
In addition to buying the base game, players can subscribe to ESO Plus. It’s a premium membership that offers various perks such as extra bank space, experience boosts, unlimited crafting material storage, and monthly Crowns to spend in the in-game store.

ESO Plus also unlocks all DLC game packs except for the latest Chapter release. It’s a valuable option for players who want to explore more zones, storylines, and dungeons without buying every expansion separately. Subscription plans are available monthly or yearly.
I’ll talk about the discount, how to claim it, pricing structure, and more further in the article. Stay tuned!
Steps for Claiming ESO Online Free Trial
An ESO free trial is not available right now. However, you can still save money by grabbing the 75% off Steam deal. Just follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Head over to the official Elder Scrolls Online Steam page.
Step 2: Click on the green “Add to Cart” option near the discounted price.

Step 3: Click on “Continue to payment.”

Step 4: Enter your payment information and click on “Continue.”

Step 5: After purchase, go to your Steam Library and find The Elder Scrolls Online. Click “Install” to start downloading the game files. Once installed, you can launch the game directly from Steam.
Congratulations! You have successfully claimed your ESO 75% discount on Steam.
Features Included With The ESO Online Free Trial
Here’s what you get with the discounted Standard Edition of The Elder Scrolls Online:
- Explore the full base game content
- Access the Morrowind Chapter and storyline
- Unlock and play as the Warden class
- Join the Fighters, Mages, and Undaunted guilds
- Play in PvP battles across Cyrodiil
- Enter Imperial City and Craglorn zones
- Complete the main quest in Coldharbour
- Begin in any alliance starter zone
Limitations of The ESO Online Free Trial
The discounted edition is great for starters, but here’s what it doesn’t include:
- No access to newer chapter expansions
- DLC zones and quests are locked
- Cannot unlock Thieves Guild or Brotherhood skills
- Some dungeons and trials remain inaccessible
Making The Most Of Your Free Trial
Just grabbed the ESO deal? Start strong with these tips:
- Complete main quests for fast early leveling
- Join guilds for skills and daily quests
- Explore all three alliance starter zones
- Use crafting to gear up affordably
- Participate in PvP to earn Alliance Points
- Loot everything for gold and trade value
- Experiment with different builds and classes
- Check the Crown Store for free limited items
- Watch for upcoming Free Play bonus events
ESO Online Pricing & Plans
If you’re thinking about jumping into The Elder Scrolls Online, the good news is you only need to pay once for the base game. ESO uses a buy-to-play model, so there’s no mandatory subscription required to play.

ESO has two editions– the Standard Edition and the 2025 Premium Edition. Here’s a quick table comparing the prices of the two plans:
Plan | Price | Discounted Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|
Standard | $19.99 | $4.99 | $15 |
Premium | $79.99 | – | $0 |
The base game usually costs around $19.99, but right now, Steam is offering a massive 75% discount. While there’s no discount for the Premium Edition, it is perfect for those who want a comprehensive gaming experience with add-ons.
While ESO doesn’t require a monthly fee, it does offer an optional subscription called ESO Plus. This membership gives you a ton of value, especially if you play regularly or want access to all the DLC game packs without buying them individually.

Here’s a quick table of ESO Plus membership prices:
Plan Duration | Total Price | Equivalent Monthly Cost | Savings Compared to Monthly Plan |
---|---|---|---|
1 month | $14.99 | $14.99 | $0 (No savings) |
3 months | $41.99 | $13.99 | $6.00 (Save $2 per month) |
6 months | $71.94 | $11.99 | $17.94 (Save $3 per month) |
12 months | $139.99 | $11.67 | $40.89 (Save $3.32 per month) |
As you can see from the table, the more extended plans help you save more.
Members of ESO Plus enjoy several perks, like:
- Unlimited storage for crafting materials
- Double bank space
- Bonus experience and gold
- Faster crafting research
- Monthly Crown currency
You also get access to all DLC packs released before the most recent expansion.

The subscription works across all platforms, including PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation. Just note that console players still need Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus for online access, even if they’re not paying for ESO Plus itself.
ESO Online Refund
When you decide to buy The Elder Scrolls Online or ESO, knowing the refund policy is important. Refund rules depend on where you purchase the game. Steam and the official ESO website each have their own policies to keep in mind.

If you buy ESO on Steam, you have 14 days to request a refund. To qualify, you must have played the game for less than 2 hours. Refunds are processed back to your original payment method once approved through Steam’s system.
Purchasing directly from the official ESO website means that refund rules can be stricter. Generally, refunds are only given for technical problems or unauthorized charges. For any refund questions, it is best to contact ESO customer support for help.

Subscriptions like ESO Plus and downloadable content usually follow the same refund guidelines as the base game. Refund eligibility depends on the platform where you made the purchase. Always check those specific terms before subscribing or buying DLC.
To make refund requests easier, track your purchase date and playtime carefully. Submit your refund request as soon as possible if you decide the game is not for you. Contact customer support for help if you face any issues during the process.
ESO Online Discount: Is It Available?
If you have been waiting to try The Elder Scrolls Online, now is a great time. Steam is currently offering a massive 75% discount on the Standard Edition of ESO. This makes the game available for just $4.99.

This special sale includes the base game along with the Morrowind Chapter. It is an excellent deal for new players and returning fans alike. You get access to a large amount of content at a very low price, making it hard to resist.
To grab this offer, visit the official ESO page on Steam before the sale ends. The discount is available for a limited time only.
Conclusion: ESO Online Is Available At 75% Off
While ESO does not have a free trial, Steam offers an incredible 75% discount on the Standard Edition of ESO. This deal reduces the price to just $4.99 and includes the base game plus the Morrowind Chapter. It’s an excellent opportunity for new and returning players to save big.
If you purchase ESO on Steam, you have 14 days to request a refund if you have played less than two hours. This refund policy provides peace of mind, allowing you to try the game without a long-term commitment.
ESO Plus is an optional subscription that adds great value with perks like experience boosts, access to DLC packs, and monthly Crowns. Longer subscription plans offer more savings and unlock additional content for a richer gameplay experience.
Now is a perfect time to jump into ESO and explore Tamriel’s vast world. Keep an eye on future Free Play events and discounts to get the most out of your adventure. Ready to start your journey?
Claim your 75% discount before the offer ends!
FAQs
Can I transfer my ESO progress from the Free Play event to the full game?
Progress made during Free Play events is saved and will carry over if you purchase the full game, allowing you to continue without losing your character or achievements.
Are there any differences in content or features between PC and console versions of ESO?
The core game content is the same across platforms, but console players need Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus for online play, which PC players do not require.
How often does Bethesda usually run these Free Play events?
Free Play events typically coincide with major updates, expansions, or seasonal promotions, occurring several times a year but without a fixed schedule.
Does ESO Plus subscription auto-renew, and can it be canceled anytime?
ESO Plus subscriptions auto-renew by default (except for the 6-month plan) but can be canceled anytime before the next billing cycle through your platform’s account management.
What happens to my DLC access if I cancel ESO Plus?
Access to all DLC game packs unlocked through ESO Plus ends once the subscription is canceled; you’ll need to purchase DLC separately to regain access.
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Product Information
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Price:
Free Access
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Explore the full base game content:Available
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Access the Morrowind Chapter and storyline:Available
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Unlock and play as the Warden class:Available
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Join the Fighters, Mages, Undaunted guilds:Available
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Play in PvP battles across Cyrodiil:Available
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Released:
July 4, 2025
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Last Updated:
July 4, 2025