How Much Does Poppy Playtime Cost?
Poppy Playtime operates on a tiered pricing model where Chapter 1 is free and subsequent chapters range from $9.99 to $19.99 on PC. Mobile versions cost $2.99-$4.99 per chapter, while console players can purchase a physical Triple Pack for $29.99.
The pricing structure reflects an escalating content scale—each chapter expands in length and complexity compared to its predecessor.
PC and Digital Platform Pricing
Steam and Epic Games currently host the base game, which includes Chapter 1 at no cost. This free entry point lets players test the horror puzzle mechanics before committing to paid content.
Chapter 2 costs $9.99 as a separate DLC. The developer initially promised $4.99 pricing based on early Steam page descriptions, but raised the price citing triple the content length compared to Chapter 1. This sparked discussion in the Steam community forums, though most players found the extended gameplay justified the increase.
Chapter 3 carries a $14.99 price tag. Released in January 2024, this installment introduced the Playcare orphanage setting and received positive reviews for substantially more content than earlier chapters. The price reflects the shift to Unreal Engine 5 and enhanced production values.
Chapter 4, released January 30, 2025, launched at $19.99—the highest individual chapter price. Early adopters noted the darkest tone yet and longest gameplay duration in the series. Steam currently offers periodic sales with 50% discounts on individual chapters.
Bundle options provide better value. A complete package containing Chapters 2, 3, and 4 costs $29.23 during standard pricing, representing a $15 savings compared to individual purchases. Sale events can push this bundle price down to $14.60.
Mobile Platform Pricing
iOS and Android versions follow different economics. Chapter 1 costs $2.99 on mobile platforms—significantly less than the original PC price point before it became free. The mobile port launched in March 2022, bringing touch-optimized controls and slightly compressed graphics.
Chapter 2 on mobile runs $4.99, half the PC DLC price. Performance varies by device, with some users reporting loading issues during chase sequences on older hardware.
Chapter 3 mobile edition costs $4.99, maintaining parity with Chapter 2’s mobile price despite higher PC pricing. The App Store version requires iOS 15.0 or later.
Chapter 4 mobile launched at an introductory $2.99 price in July 2025 for both iOS and Android. This promotional pricing represents the lowest entry point for the newest content across all platforms. Standard pricing typically settles around $4.99 for mobile chapters after launch periods.
Mobile chapters operate as standalone purchases rather than DLC, requiring separate downloads for each installment. The games support offline play once downloaded.
Console Editions and Physical Releases
Console availability arrived later in the franchise timeline. The Poppy Playtime Triple Pack launched October 31, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox platforms at $29.99 MSRP.
This physical edition bundles Chapters 1, 2, and 3 in a single package. The box includes a reversible cover sheet and sticker sheet as bonus materials. Retailers like GameStop, Best Buy, and Amazon stock the physical versions, with occasional sales dropping prices to $28.79.
The Triple Pack represents the only way to play Chapters 2 and 3 on consoles currently—individual chapter downloads aren’t available on PlayStation or Xbox stores as of 2025. This makes the bundle particularly valuable for console-only players.
Chapter 4 hasn’t received a console release yet. Given the pattern, expect either individual DLC releases or an updated physical collection including all four chapters sometime in 2025.
Regional Pricing Variations
Prices adjust by region and currency. Australian players report Chapter 3 costing 22 AUD, with speculation that Chapter 4 would reach 30-35 AUD. European pricing includes VAT in listed amounts on Steam.
Currency conversion doesn’t always favor direct exchange rates. Some regions see slightly elevated prices accounting for local economic factors and platform fees. Epic Games and Steam maintain separate regional pricing structures.
Mobile pricing shows less variation globally, though App Store and Google Play apply regional adjustments automatically based on user location.
Historical Price Changes
The pricing model evolved significantly since launch. Chapter 1 originally sold for $4.99 on Steam when it released October 12, 2021. The developer transitioned it to free-to-play by January 2025, using it as an accessible entry point to drive DLC sales.
This change generated controversy. Early purchasers who paid $4.99 felt misled, particularly after finding archived Steam pages promising future chapters would also cost $4.99. No retroactive refunds were issued, though the free transition occurred years after initial sales.
Chapter 2’s $9.99 price—double the original promise—caused additional friction in May 2022. Developer MOB Games justified the increase by emphasizing three times the content volume and new mechanics like the grappling hook and Green Hand power transfer system.
Chapter 3 and 4 continued the upward trajectory, establishing a pattern where each chapter costs roughly $5 more than its predecessor. The developer hasn’t confirmed whether Chapter 5 (planned for 2026) will exceed $19.99.
Value Comparison by Platform
Platform choice significantly impacts total cost. A player wanting all four chapters faces these scenarios:
PC via Steam during sales: $14.60 (bundle) + free Chapter 1 = $14.60 total
PC at full price: $44.98 for all chapters individually, or $29.23 for the three-chapter bundle + free Chapter 1 = $29.23 total
Mobile at full price: $2.99 + $4.99 + $4.99 + $2.99 = $15.96 for all four chapters
Console Triple Pack: $29.99 for first three chapters only (Chapter 4 unavailable)
Mobile currently offers the lowest total cost, though with graphical compromises and occasional performance issues. PC provides the definitive experience with best graphics and stability. Console players pay premium pricing for physical collection benefits.
Gameplay Length and Dollar-Per-Hour Analysis
Chapter 1 takes 40-60 minutes to complete. At free-to-play, this represents infinite value, though early adopters paid $4.99 for under an hour of content.
Chapter 2 runs approximately 2-3 hours at $9.99, calculating to roughly $3.33-$5 per hour of gameplay. The tripled length justified the price increase for most players.
Chapter 3 extends to 3-4 hours of content at $14.99, maintaining similar value at $3.75-$5 per hour. The Playcare orphanage setting offers the most exploration space yet.
Chapter 4 pushes 4-5 hours of gameplay at $19.99, improving value to roughly $4-$5 per hour despite the higher price. The darkest chapter features expanded lore revelations.
Compared to other horror games, Five Nights at Freddy’s typically costs $4.99-$7.99 for 2-3 hours per game. Bendy and the Ink Machine charges $19.99 for its complete five-chapter experience. Poppy Playtime falls in the premium range for episodic horror.
Free-to-Play Alternatives and Piracy
Some third-party APK sites claim to offer free versions of paid chapters. These typically violate copyright and risk device security. The developer doesn’t authorize distribution outside official app stores and Steam/Epic platforms.
Chapter 1’s free availability eliminates the need for unauthorized copies of the base game. The developer monetizes through merchandise, with the official Poppy Playtime store selling plushies, apparel, and collectibles.
YouTube playthroughs and Twitch streams provide free viewing alternatives for players unwilling to purchase chapters. Several content creators posted complete walkthroughs within days of each chapter’s release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poppy Playtime Chapter 1 still free?
Yes, Chapter 1 remains free on Steam, Epic Games, and mobile platforms as of 2025. The developer permanently removed the original $4.99 price point to serve as a free entry experience.
Why did Chapter 2 cost more than promised?
MOB Games initially stated future chapters would cost $4.99 each, but raised Chapter 2 to $9.99 citing three times the content and new gameplay mechanics. The company removed the pricing promise from the Steam page before Chapter 2’s release.
Will Chapter 5 cost more than Chapter 4?
No official pricing exists for Chapter 5, planned for 2026. Given the $5 increment pattern, speculation suggests $24.99, though the developer hasn’t confirmed continuing price increases.
Can I buy all chapters in one bundle?
PC players can purchase the three-chapter bundle (Chapters 2-4) at discounted rates during sales. Console players get the Triple Pack with Chapters 1-3 physically. No single bundle includes all current content across all platforms.
The variety of pricing tiers reflects both the episodic release structure and the franchise’s evolution from indie experiment to mainstream horror success. Each platform offers different value propositions depending on budget constraints and preferred gaming experience.