(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
The Lord of the Rings Online - Play for Free!
The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20121009104831/http://www.lotro.com:80/free.php
To get started, click the SIGN UP NOW button to the right.
  • Play up to level 75 for Free.
  • Experience hundreds of hours of exciting game play as you explore Middle-earth.
  • Build your hero from the classic races (Men, Elves, Dwarves, or Hobbits) and fight against Sauron's forces as one of seven unique classes.
After your first LOTRO Store Purchase, Get More Free!
All Premium Players receive:
  • Everything Free Players get PLUS:
  • Additional Character Slot
  • Gold Limit Increase
  • Faster Login
All VIP Players receive:
  • Everything Free Players get PLUS:
  • Unlimited access to all quests and areas within The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar
  • Fight as a monster against other players in Monster Play PvMP
  • VIP Perks - More Character Slots, Gold Limit Uncapped, Traits Expanded and additional Perks like Rest XP and Priority Login
  • Receive 500 Turbine Points every month that can be used in the LOTRO Store on buffs, potions, cosmetic outfits, mounts and much more!

Free-to-Play opens up more choices and options so you can play your way. You can download the game for free and start playing without a subscription or even a credit card. read more

PLAYER TIER VIP PREMIUM PLAYER FREE PLAYER
 
TURBINE POINTS 500/month Free
(can purchase more) or earn thru gameplay		 Purchasable
or earn thru gameplay		 Purchasable
or earn thru gameplay
 
CONTENT
World Access Free Free Free
Epic Story Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Races 4 4 4
Core Classes All 7 Included All 7 Included All 7 Included
Premium Classes* Purchasable Purchasable Purchasable
Level Cap 75 75 75
Character Slots* 5 per server
(can purchase more)		 3 per server
(can purchase more)		 1 per server
(can purchase more)
Quest Packs* Eriador, Lothlorien Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land, Lonelands
(can purchase more)		 Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land, Lonelands
(can purchase more)
 
KEY FEATURES
Inventory 5 bags 3 bags
(can purchase more)		 3 bags
(can purchase more)
Gold Limit Maximum 5 Gold
(can purchase cap removal)		 2 Gold
(can purchase cap removal)
Priority Login Priority High Standard
Chat Unlimited Limited Limited
Auction 30 active listings
20 active bids		 5 active listings
(can purchase more)
20 active bids		 Listings purchasable
20 active bids
Mail Maximum Limited by currency cap Cannot mail currency
Rest XP Automatic Not available Not Available
Shared Bank Purchasable Purchasable Purchasable
Skirmishes Maximum 11
(can purchase more)		 11
(can purchase more)
Legendary Items 6 slots
(can purchase more)		 6 slots
(can purchase more)		 6 slots
(can purchase more)
Traits All 1 or 2 slots per trait type
(can purchase more)		 1 or 2 slots per trait type
(can purchase more)
Crafting Tier 1-7 available Tier 1-7 available Tier 1-7 available
Crafting Guilds Unlimited Purchasable Purchasable
Housing Available Available Available
Music Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Hobbies Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Cosmetic System 3 outfits
(can purchase more)		 3 outfits
(can purchase more)		 3 outfits
(can purchase more)
Shared Wardrobe 20 slots
(can purchase more)		 Purchasable Purchasable
Destiny Points Can earn and spend Can earn but cannot spend Can earn but cannot spend
Monster Play Unlimited Reaver class available
(can purchase others)		 Reaver class available
(can purchase others)
Official Forums Read/Post Read/Post Read/Limited posting
In-Game Support Full access Full access for 30 days following the purchase of Turbine points Self-service online
Technical Support Full access Full access Full access
Account Management Full access Full access Full access

(*): Purchasers of the Mines of Moria™ expansion get access to the Mines of Moria region and content, premium classes (Rune-Keeper and Warden), legendary items feature, Tier 6 crafting feature, 2 extra character slots and a level cap of 60. Purchasers of the Siege of Mirkwood™ expansion get access to the Siege of Mirkwood region and content, a level cap of 65 and the Siege of Mirkwood skirmishes.

Join the world's greatest fellowship of players in the award-winning online re-creation of J. R. R. Tolkien's legendary Middle-earth. In the Lord of the Rings Online™, adventure through Middle-earth as you have never seen it before, battle and win glory against the ravenous hordes of the Dark Lord Sauron, and forge your own legend in the epic story of the War of the Ring. And you can do it all without paying a thing with LOTRO Free-to-Play! Free-to-Play opens the door to adventure so you can play your way without a subscription or even a credit card. Earn free Turbine Points as you adventure in the massive world of Middle-earth, and spend them in the LOTRO Store to access hundreds of items, expansion packs, premium content, character customization, and more! And you may also purchase Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store whenever you choose. The legend is yours, and the adventure is free!

Anyone can join the game for free as a Free player when LOTRO Free-to-Play is available. You will automatically be upgraded from Free player to Premium player status with your first purchase of Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store.

And for a monthly fee, LOTRO's VIP program offers the best value and the most options for players who like the convenience of having unlimited access to all of LOTRO's game content and features.