If you’ve spent any time browsing indie game recommendations, you’ve almost certainly seen Terraria pop up. The legendary 2D sandbox adventure has been a fan favorite for over a decade, thanks to its endless building options, challenging boss fights, and constant free updates. If you’re ready to jump in for the first time, you’ve probably asked how much does Terraria cost, and if it’s worth paying full price for a game that’s been around so long. I’ve bought Terraria three times across three different platforms over the years, so I’ve seen firsthand how prices shift and which versions offer the best value. This guide breaks down every pricing scenario, so you don’t overpay for one of the best indie games ever made.
How Much Does Terraria Cost Across Popular Platforms?
Terraria’s base price changes drastically depending on the platform you buy it for, so it’s worth checking prices for all devices you own before making a purchase. All versions of the game get the same core content updates, but there are small differences in mod support and control schemes that may make one version a better fit for you. Mobile versions of Terraria have full feature parity with PC as of the 1.4.4 Labor of Love update, so you won’t miss out on content if you choose the cheaper mobile option first.
On PC, the standard base price for Terraria is $9.99 across Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. The GOG version is DRM-free, which is a nice perk if you prefer to own your game files outright, while the Steam version has built-in workshop support for easy mod installation. Console versions have higher base prices: you’ll pay $14.99 for the PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, and $19.99 for the Nintendo Switch version at full price. Mobile versions for iOS and Android have the lowest base price at just $4.99, with no extra in-app purchases required to access all content.
Keep in mind that these are full, non-sale prices, and you can almost always find a discount if you’re willing to wait a few weeks. Cross-play is supported across most platforms now, but you won’t get access to the game on other devices if you buy it for one platform. That means if you start on mobile and later want to play on PC, you’ll have to buy the game a second time.
What Extra Costs Should You Expect When Buying Terraria?
One of the biggest perks of Terraria is that there are no mandatory extra costs once you buy the base game, but there are a few optional add-ons you can pick up if you want to support the developers or get extra physical or digital goodies. Terraria has no paid in-game content or mandatory DLC, so you’ll never hit a paywall mid-playthrough or have to buy extra items to beat a boss. All extra costs are completely optional, and you can get hundreds of hours of play out of just the base game.
If you do want to splurge on extra content, here are the most common optional costs associated with the game:
- Official digital soundtrack: $4.99 on most storefronts, perfect for long building or exploration sessions, and includes every track from the 1.4.4 update
- Physical collector’s edition: $29.99 to $49.99 depending on platform, includes physical art books, sticker packs, a physical copy of the soundtrack, and exclusive in-game cosmetic items
- Console online membership: Required for multiplayer on PlayStation and Xbox, starting at $4.99 per month if you don’t already have a subscription; Switch online membership is not required for Terraria multiplayer
You don’t need to pay for any extra content to enjoy the full game, but the soundtrack is a fan favorite if you like the game’s retro-inspired music. Physical collector’s editions are only restocked occasionally, so if you want one, you’ll have to grab it when it’s available, or pay a higher price for a secondhand copy from resellers. If you only plan to play single-player, you won’t have to worry about any online membership costs at all.
The Best Times to Buy Terraria for Less
Terraria goes on sale extremely often across all platforms, so it’s almost never worth paying full price unless you want to play immediately. You can almost always find a 25% off or higher discount if you wait for major seasonal sales, and discounts can go as high as 75% off during peak sale events. I’ve picked up copies of the game for as little as $2.49 on Steam during holiday sales, which is an absolute steal for the amount of content you get.
The biggest sales happen during major seasonal events: Steam Summer and Winter Sales, Nintendo eShop Black Friday and holiday sales, PlayStation Store monthly sales, and Xbox Store seasonal sales. The Epic Games Store has also given away Terraria for free multiple times in the past, so it’s worth checking their weekly free game listings every so often if you don’t mind waiting for a free copy. Humble Bundle also frequently includes Terraria in their charity game bundles, where you can pay what you want for the game plus a handful of other indie titles, with a portion of proceeds going to charity.
If you’re buying for a console, keep an eye out for platform-specific sales that happen every few months, even outside of major holiday periods. Mobile versions of Terraria go on sale fairly often too, sometimes dropping to as low as $0.99 for limited periods. Just make sure you’re buying the official version of the game from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, as third-party versions may be outdated or contain malware.
Is Terraria Worth the Cost?
Even if you end up paying full price for Terraria, it’s one of the best values in gaming right now. The average playtime for casual players is over 100 hours, and dedicated players can easily sink thousands of hours into the game between playthroughs, modded runs, and multiplayer sessions with friends. Even at full price, Terraria offers more replay value than most $60 AAA titles released today, and you’ll never have to pay extra for future content updates.
All post-launch content updates for Terraria are completely free for all owners, no extra purchase required. The developers have released 10 major content updates since the game launched in 2011, adding hundreds of new items, bosses, biomes, and gameplay features without ever charging extra. They’ve confirmed that while there are no more major content updates planned, they will still release small bug fix and quality of life updates for free in the future. If you like sandbox games, survival games, or action-adventure games with lots of progression, you’ll almost certainly get your money’s worth.
If you’re on a very tight budget, the $4.99 mobile version is a great way to test out the game before buying it for a different platform. It has all the same content as the PC version, and touch controls are surprisingly well-optimized for both exploration and combat. You can even connect a controller to your phone if you prefer physical controls, making it almost identical to the console version for a fraction of the price.
At the end of the day, how much does Terraria cost depends entirely on when and where you buy it, and what extra features you want. Base prices range from $4.99 to $19.99 at full price, but you can often find discounts of 50% or more if you wait for seasonal sales. No matter which version you pick, you’re getting a game that will keep you entertained for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours with no hidden paywalls or mandatory extra costs. If you’ve been on the fence about buying it, even the full price is a steal for the amount of content you get.