Do You Have to Pay for FiveM GTA?
No, FiveM itself is free-to-download multiplayer mod for Grand Theft Auto V on PC. You can join and play on public FiveM roleplaying (RP) servers without paying anything as long as you already own GTA V.
FiveM transforms GTA V into an incredibly flexible multiplayer platform where server owners can build customized game modes, maps, mods, and worlds limited only by their creativity.
Over 250,000 players enjoy FiveM at peak times, showing the vast demand for ways to enhance GTA Online‘s roleplaying and modding capabilities.
I‘ve spent hundreds of hours exploring various FiveM servers over the years. In this beginner‘s guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know:
- How FiveM‘s pricing model works for small vs large servers
- Steps for safely installing and connecting to your first server
- Spotlights on popular roleplaying servers and their key features
Let‘s dive in!
FiveM Pricing Breakdown
One of the main reasons behind FiveM‘s growth is the free tier for servers up to 32 slots. This provides plenty of capacity for small friend groups or early communities to get started.
Here‘s how the pricing model scales:
| Year | Free Slots | 64 Slot Fee | 128 Slot Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 16 | $10 | $25 |
| 2022 | 32 | $15 | $50 |
As you can see, the free tier has doubled over the years while prices for larger servers have increased moderately.
This careful balance allows FiveM‘s creators Cfx.re to sustain and expand the platform‘s capabilities in response to its growing popularity, while not placing too much burden on smaller servers.
By comparison, competitor multiplayer mods often lack a free tier or have imposed slot limits retroactively after gaining traction. FiveM‘s upfront and transparent pricing provides confidence for server owners investing time into building lasting communities.
Is FiveM Safe to Use and Legal?
FiveM operates under explicit permission of Rockstar Games‘ parent company Take-Two Interactive. This was confirmed in 2016 after initial controversy over FiveM allowing unauthorized access to GTA Online assets.
The team shifted course by clean-room reverse engineering GTA V assets specifically for FiveM. They also implemented technical safeguards to prevent interacting with unofficial online services.
This keeps the project in compliance with Take-Two‘s terms of service. So you can feel safe installing and playing FiveM knowing account bans are not a risk like with outright piracy.
Over 4 million players have registered a CitizenFX account used across their various multiplayer mods for GTA and Red Dead Redemption 2.
What Are the System Requirements for FiveM?
FiveM requires a gaming PC that matches or exceeds GTA V‘s recommended specs for smooth performance:
| Component | FiveM | GTA V |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i5-6600K / Ryzen 5 2600 | Core i5 3470 / FX-8350 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| GPU | GTX 970 4GB / R9 290 | GTX 660 2GB / HD 7870 2GB |
| Storage | 80 GB SSD | 72 GB HDD |
So while FiveM needs extra RAM and SSD storage for its beefier multiplayer framework, the CPU and GPU demands are similar to GTA V.
If encountering low frame rates, some tweaks like reducing pedestrian/traffic density can help optimize for weaker graphics cards. Load times also benefit greatly from installing FiveM itself on an SSD.
Getting Started with FiveM in 4 Steps
Let‘s walk through getting FiveM set up from start to finish:
- Download and install the FiveM application
- Create a CitizenFX account to authenticate
- Find and connect to chosen servers through the FiveM menu
- Download any required mods/assets like custom game modes before joining
The entire process usually only takes a few minutes. Once up and running, there‘s a vast world of roleplaying potential to discover!
Some popular entry points I recommend are:
- Eclipse RP – polished, beginner-friendly city RP
- DoJRP – public law enforcement community with academy training
- VRPTM – hardcore survival-based crime and jobs
- Crucial RP – live out your rags-to-riches criminal journey
Each server strikes a different tone and gameplay style for endless possibilities catered to your preferences.
The freedom of FiveM‘s platform combined with passionate creators has resulted in the most vibrant and expansive GTA roleplaying landscape ever – all accessible free-of-charge.
So get out there and start your multiplayer adventure! Let me know if any questions come up along the way.
