RuneScape membership costs $11.99 per month in the United States, with a one-time payment option at $29.99 for three months
RuneScape has one membership tier, not multiple levels. You pay $11.99 monthly or $29.99 for three months upfront. There is no annual plan. The three-month option works out to about $10 per month if you pay all at once, making it the better rate if you plan to stay subscribed.
Prices vary by region. Players in the United Kingdom pay £7.99 per month or £19.99 for three months. Australian players pay AU$16.95 per month. If you are outside the United States, check the RuneScape website for your country's pricing before committing.
You can cancel anytime. If you buy a three-month membership and cancel after one month, you do not get a refund for the unused time. The membership runs until the three months are complete, then stops automatically unless you renew.
Key Takeaways
- RuneScape membership costs $11.99 per month or $29.99 for three months in the United States, with no annual discount option available.
- Membership gives you access to all members-only quests, skills, areas, and items; free players can only use a limited portion of the game.
- Prices differ by country, so verify the cost in your region before purchasing.
- You can cancel at any time, but three-month prepaid memberships do not refund unused time.
What membership unlocks compared to free play
Free players can access only a small part of RuneScape. Members get access to the full game: all skills, all quests, all areas of the map, and all member-only items and equipment. The free version is essentially a long tutorial that lets you try the game before paying.
Members can train skills like Herblore, Crafting, and Construction, which free players cannot touch. You can also complete the full quest lines, which tell most of RuneScape's story. Free players are locked out of these entirely. Members also earn access to minigames, bosses, and dungeons that free players never see.
The membership also removes the trade limit. Free players can only trade with other free players and cannot use the Grand Exchange (the game's auction house) without restrictions. Members have full trading access and can buy and sell anything on the Grand Exchange.
How to buy membership and payment methods
You buy membership directly through the RuneScape website or in-game. Log into your account, go to the Members page, and choose your payment option. RuneScape accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can also buy membership through Steam if you play RuneScape through Steam, though the price may differ slightly.
When you purchase, the membership activates immediately. You can start playing members-only content right away. If you buy a three-month membership, all three months are added to your account at once, not spread out month by month.
RuneScape also sells bonds, which are in-game items you can buy with real money and then sell to other players for in-game currency. Some players use bonds to fund membership by earning enough in-game money to buy them from other players, though this requires significant playtime and is not a shortcut to free membership.
Membership renewal and auto-pay settings
If you buy a monthly membership, it renews automatically on the same date each month unless you turn off auto-renewal. You can disable auto-renewal in your account settings on the RuneScape website under Billing. If you do not turn it off, your payment method will be charged again when the month ends.
Three-month memberships also renew automatically after the three months end. You can cancel the auto-renewal at any time, and the membership will run until the end of the current period, then stop. Cancelling does not refund the time you have already paid for.
If your payment method fails or expires, RuneScape will attempt to charge you again. If it fails multiple times, your membership may lapse. You can reactivate it by updating your payment information and purchasing again.
Whether membership is worth the cost
Membership is worth the cost if you plan to play RuneScape regularly. The monthly price is lower than most other subscription games, and you get access to the entire game world. If you play a few hours a week, the cost breaks down to less than a dollar per hour of gameplay.
If you are new to RuneScape, try the free version first. Play for a few hours to see if you enjoy the game before spending money. The free portion is substantial enough to give you a real sense of whether the game is for you. Many players spend weeks in free-to-play before deciding to buy membership.
If you take long breaks from the game, the monthly option is better than the three-month option. You can cancel whenever you stop playing and only pay for the time you actually use. The three-month plan is better if you know you will play consistently for at least three months.
Comparing RuneScape membership to other games
RuneScape's $11.99 monthly membership is cheaper than World of Warcraft ($14.99 per month) and Final Fantasy XIV ($12.99 per month). It is comparable to Old School RuneScape, which is the older version of the game and costs the same amount. Both versions use the same membership, so buying one membership gives you access to both games.
Some games like Guild Wars 2 have no subscription at all, though they sell cosmetics and convenience items. Others like Elder Scrolls Online charge $14.99 per month for their premium membership, which is optional but gives you a monthly stipend of in-game currency and a crafting bag. RuneScape's membership is mandatory to access most of the game, not optional like these.
If you play multiple subscription games, the cost adds up quickly. RuneScape is one of the cheaper options, but you should decide whether you have time to play multiple games before committing to multiple subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I buy membership and do not like the game?
RuneScape does not offer refunds for membership purchases. You should try the free version first to make sure you enjoy the game before paying. If you buy membership and decide it is not for you, you can cancel auto-renewal to stop future charges, but the money you already spent will not come back.
Do I need membership to play RuneScape at all?
No. Free-to-play RuneScape is a complete game you can play without paying. You can reach high levels, complete quests, and earn money without membership. Membership just unlocks additional content, skills, and areas. Many players enjoy free-to-play for months or years before buying membership.
Is there a discount for buying a longer membership upfront?
Yes. The three-month membership at $29.99 costs about $10 per month, compared to $11.99 for a single month. There is no six-month or annual option. If you want a bigger discount, watch for occasional promotions during holidays or special events, though these are not may provide.
What happens to my membership if I stop playing for a while?
If you have auto-renewal turned on, your membership will continue to charge and renew every month even if you do not log in. You should turn off auto-renewal in your account settings if you plan to take a break. When you come back, you can buy membership again to resume playing members-only content.
Can I use membership on both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape?
Yes. One membership covers both games. You can play either version or both with the same account and the same monthly payment. If you only want to play one version, you still pay the same price.