Is Call of Duty free to play on PC? Yes — Call of Duty: Warzone is completely free to download and play on PC. You can grab it from either Battle.net or Steam without paying a cent, and you never need to own another Call of Duty game to jump in. The yearly premium Call of Duty titles (with their campaigns and full multiplayer) are still paid purchases, but the battle royale that most people mean by "free Call of Duty" costs nothing.
If you are new to the series, the answer can be confusing because "Call of Duty" is really a whole family of games. This guide breaks down exactly which part is free on PC, where to download it, what costs money, and the basic hardware you need to play without spending anything.
What you need to know first
There are two kinds of Call of Duty on PC. The free one is Warzone, a standalone battle royale you can install through Battle.net (the Blizzard app) or Steam. The paid ones are the premium annual releases — the games that include a story campaign, traditional 6v6 multiplayer, and Zombies. You do not need any of those to play Warzone for free, so a brand-new PC player can start at $0.
The short answer for PC players
Warzone, the battle royale, is genuinely free on PC. There is no purchase, no subscription, and no trial that expires. You sign in with a free Call of Duty (Activision) account, download the game, and play. Money only comes into the picture if you choose to buy cosmetics or a separate premium Call of Duty title.
Where to download Warzone free on PC
You have two official launchers on PC, and both offer the exact same free download. The first is Battle.net (also called the Blizzard app), and the second is Steam. Search for "Call of Duty: Warzone," click Install, and the price will read Free. There is no checkout and no payment step — you only need a free Call of Duty account to sign in and start playing.
What is free vs. paid on PC
The free part is the whole battle royale: every map, the core modes, fast-paced Resurgence, Plunder, and all the seasonal gameplay updates. Each Battle Pass also includes a free tier. What costs money is optional or separate — the yearly premium Call of Duty game (campaign, 6v6 multiplayer, and Zombies), CoD Points (the premium currency), the premium Battle Pass track, and cosmetic operator and weapon blueprint skins. Crucially, paid items in Warzone are cosmetic; they do not sell you an advantage.
What your PC needs to play for free
To play Warzone at no cost, you need a Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) PC, the Battle.net or Steam client installed, and plenty of free disk space — modern Call of Duty installs are large, so plan for around 100 GB or more. A stable internet connection is required because the game is always online. That is the entire list: your real-world cost to start is $0.00, and anything beyond that is your choice.
Tips for playing free on PC
- Use one account across launchers. Your Call of Duty progress is tied to your account, so you can sign in on Battle.net or Steam and keep the same level, loadouts, and unlocks.
- Free the disk space first. The download is big and updates add more over time. Make sure you have headroom before you start so an install does not stall.
- Cross-play is included. Free PC players can squad up with friends on PlayStation and Xbox at no extra cost.
- Ignore the store if you want. You can play, rank up the free Battle Pass tier, and unlock plenty of content without ever buying CoD Points.
Troubleshooting
The store shows a price instead of "Free"
Make sure you are looking at Call of Duty: Warzone specifically. The premium annual game shares branding with Warzone, but it is a separate, paid product. The free battle royale will always list its price as Free.
It is asking me to pay during install
The Warzone download itself never charges you. If a payment prompt appears, you have likely clicked into a paid bundle, CoD Points, or a premium game add-on. Back out and choose the standard free install.
I cannot sign in to play
Warzone needs a free Call of Duty (Activision) account linked to your Battle.net or Steam profile. Create the account at no cost, link it, and then launch the game.
Frequently asked questions
Is Call of Duty free to play on PC?
Yes. Call of Duty: Warzone is free to download and play on PC through Battle.net or Steam. The premium annual Call of Duty games are separate paid purchases.
Do I need to buy a Call of Duty game to play Warzone on PC?
No. Warzone is a standalone free title. You can play the full battle royale without owning any other Call of Duty game.
Is Warzone free on both Battle.net and Steam?
Yes. Both PC launchers offer the same free download. Pick whichever client you prefer and install at no cost.
Does free Warzone include in-game purchases?
Yes, but they are optional and cosmetic. You can buy CoD Points, the premium Battle Pass, and skins, but none of them are required to play or to compete.
Is the Call of Duty campaign free on PC?
No. The single-player campaign comes with the premium annual game, which is a paid product. Only Warzone's battle royale is free.
Final thoughts
So, is Call of Duty free to play on PC? For the battle royale, absolutely — Warzone costs nothing to download or play on Battle.net or Steam, with no subscription and no required purchases. The only things that cost money are optional cosmetics and the separate premium Call of Duty titles. If you just want to drop in and play, all you need is a free account, a Windows PC, and some disk space. You can get started directly from the official Call of Duty: Warzone website.
