Grinding Gear Games launched Path of Exile 2 into Early Access on December 6, 2024 across PC and consoles. It kicked off with three of six campaign acts and six playable classes, offering a substantial slice of endgame content right from the start.

During Early Access, PoE 2 isn’t free—it costs around $30 for the basic supporter pack, which also yields in-game points that can later be used on cosmetics and stash tabs. Once the game fully launches, the developer confirms it will transition to a free-to-play model—no paywall for the base game.
Officially, GGG said Early Access will last at least six months and extend "as long as needed", with the goal of wrapping up development by the end of 2025. Industry estimates vary:
Game director Jonathan Rogers emphasized quality over a rushed timeline, stating “it may not leave early access in 2025” and that the team remains “hopeful to complete it this year, but we’ll see how things go.” Reddit users echo this, noting a 6–12 month Early Access span is likely.
As a seasoned POE player, here’s my take:
If you’re comfortable supporting development and don’t mind investing early, the $30 pack can be worthwhile. But if your priority is just the finished product, holding out until the full, free version launches—likely in late 2025 or early 2026—makes sense.
TL;DR
Hope this gives you a clear picture of the timeline and whether to jump in or hold off until PoE 2 hits full release and goes free.