Is Prime free in CS:GO?

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is one of the most popular multiplayer first-person shooter games available today. Launched in 2012, the game went free-to-play in December 2018, meaning anyone can download and play the game for free. However, CS:GO offers a premium "Prime" status upgrade that provides players with some benefits. This has led many to wonder – is CS:GO Prime free or do you have to pay for it?

What is CS:GO Prime Status?

CS:GO Prime Status is an upgrade available to CS:GO players that helps match them with other Prime players during matchmaking. Introduced in April 2016, Prime was originally given to players who owned CS:GO before the game went free-to-play.

The main benefit of Prime is it provides players with matches against others who have also upgraded to Prime. This means Prime players are matched together rather than with non-Prime players. The goal is to provide Prime users with matches that have less cheating and more serious, committed players.

Some other benefits of CS:GO Prime Status include:

• Get matched against other Prime players only
• Pair with players who are more likely to be serious and committed
• Reduce instances of playing against cheaters or smurfs
• Get access to exclusive souvenir drops, items, and weapon cases
• Earn Prime-exclusive Graffiti and medals
• Take advantage of Prime-only giveaways, promotions, and events

Overall, Prime provides a better matchmaking experience in CS:GO. But is it free or do you need to pay to upgrade?

Is CS:GO Prime Free?

CS:GO Prime Status originally started as a free upgrade to players who owned the game prior to the free-to-play shift in December 2018. However, for new players who start CS:GO today, Prime is no longer free.

Here‘s an overview of how to get CS:GO Prime Status:

• Previously Owned CS:GO: If you owned CS:GO before it went free-to-play, your account should automatically have Prime Status for free. No action needed.

• New Players: For brand new CS:GO players, the only way to upgrade to Prime is to purchase it. You can buy Prime Status directly through Steam for $14.99. This is a one-time purchase fee that upgrades your account permanently.

• Reach Level 21: Previously, new players could earn Prime for free by grinding XP and reaching profile Level 21. However, this was removed after the game went free-to-play. XP and levels are now capped, making getting to Level 21 impossible without paying.

So in summary, the only way for new players to get CS:GO Prime in 2022 is to purchase the upgrade. Existing players who owned the game before it went free-to-play luckily got Prime for free. But new players have no way to earn Prime other than buying it outright.

Is CS:GO Prime Worth It?

Now that we know Prime isn‘t free, the next question becomes – is it worth paying $14.99 for?

Here are some pros and cons to help decide if CS:GO Prime is worth it for you:

Pros of Buying CS:GO Prime

• Avoid cheaters and smurfs during matchmaking
• Get matched against more serious and committed players
• Rank up faster by playing against other Primes
• Gain access to Prime-exclusive items and drops
• Take part in Prime-only events and giveaways
• Experience less disruptive gameplay overall

Cons of Buying CS:GO Prime

• Costs $14.99 (one time purchase)
• Smaller pool of Prime players to match with
• Longer queue times for matchmaking
• Exclusive items aren‘t amazing
• Doesn‘t guarantee no cheaters or perfect matches

Overall, if you play CS:GO competitively and want the best matchmaking experience, Prime is worth it. The one-time $14.99 upgrade fee is reasonable for most players who take CS:GO seriously and play regularly. Prime mostly delivers on its promises by providing higher quality matches.

However, more casual CS:GO players may not find the benefits worth the cost. If you only play occasionally for fun, you can likely skip Prime. The smaller player pool and longer queue times may also not be ideal for players in less populated regions.

Tips for Getting CS:GO Prime Status

If you‘ve decided you want access to Prime matchmaking, here are some tips to get it:

• Buy in-game: The easiest way is to purchase Prime Status directly through CS:GO. Look for the "Upgrade to Prime Status" option in the main menu.

• Buy on Steam: You can also buy Prime by searching for CS:GO Prime Status Upgrade on the Steam store page. Add it to your cart and checkout.

• Buy Prime Status key: Various key sellers like Eneba and G2A sell CS:GO Prime Status keys for around $15. This grants Prime when activated.

• Wait for sales: Occasionally Prime goes on sale during special CS:GO events and promotions. You may be able to get it for under $10 if you time it right.

• Consider third-party services: Some third-party services claim they can upgrade accounts to Prime. Be very careful though as most are scams.

Your best options are to buy Prime directly in-game, through the Steam store, or via a legitimate key seller. Watch for sales around major CS:GO tournaments or holidays. And remember – new accounts can‘t earn Prime for free anymore.

FAQ About CS:GO Prime

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about CS:GO Prime Status:

Does prime matchmaking have better players?

Generally yes. Prime matchmaking pairs you against other Prime members which tend to be more serious about CS:GO. Players need to pay for Prime, so it weeds out players who are as invested.

Can you lose Prime status?

No. Once acquired, Prime Status cannot be removed or lost. Even if you take a long break from CS:GO, you‘ll still have Prime when you return. It‘s a one-time purchase that is permanent on your account.

Is there prime matchmaking in Wingman?

Yes, Wingman mode has Prime matchmaking. If you and your Wingman partner both have Prime, it will match you together against other Prime members.

If I buy Prime on one account, do all my accounts get it?

No. Prime Status is applied on a per account basis. If you have three CS:GO accounts, you‘ll need to purchase Prime for each one that you want to have upgraded.

Can I gift CS:GO Prime Status to a friend?

Unfortunately no. There is currently no way to gift or transfer Prime Status from one account to another. Every player has to purchase it themselves.

Is Prime the same as Trust Factor matchmaking?

No. Prime and Trust Factor are two separate matchmaking systems. Having Prime doesn‘t necessarily mean you also have a high Trust Factor score. They work independently from each other.

The Bottom Line on CS:GO Prime

While Prime used to be a free upgrade for CS:GO players, new players are now required to purchase Prime access for $14.99. For serious and competitive players, the benefits like better matchmaking quality and exclusive drops make Prime a worthy investment. More casual gamers may not find it necessary though unless they plan to really dive into CS:GO.

At the end of the day, evaluating your play style and priorities will determine if you should buy that Prime upgrade. With cheating still being an issue, Prime provides the best matchmaking experience CS:GO has to offer.