If you own GTA 5 on PC, you can play it in two very different ways. One is the official online mode. The other is roleplay on community servers. Both are fun, but they are built for different moods. Here is the difference in plain words.
Key takeaways
- GTA Online is Rockstar's multiplayer mode and launched on October 1, 2013.
- GTA RP runs on community servers where everyone plays a character.
- Online is about missions and money; RP is about stories and people.
- You can try both with the same copy of the game.
What is GTA Online?
GTA Online is Rockstar's own multiplayer mode for GTA V. It launched on October 1, 2013, shortly after the main game came out on September 17, 2013. You make a character, earn money from missions and heists, buy cars and properties, and jump into sessions with other players. There are no strict roleplay rules: players can race, fight, cause chaos or just drive around.
What is GTA RP?
GTA RP is GTA 5 played on community servers through FiveM. Instead of just playing a game, you act as a character: a cop, a taxi driver, a mechanic, a gang member. Servers have their own city, economy and rules, and other players expect you to stay in character. Check our GTA RP starter guide to see how to begin.
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The main differences
| GTA Online | GTA RP | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Rockstar Games | Server communities (FiveM) |
| Goal | Money, missions, fun with friends | Live a story as a character |
| Rules | Few; chaos is part of the fun | Many; server rules matter a lot |
| Jobs | Missions and businesses | Player-run jobs and businesses |
| Setup | Launch the game | Install FiveM, pick a server |
Which one is right for you?
Choose GTA Online if you want quick action with friends and no rules to learn. Choose GTA RP if you like stories, acting, talking to people and a world that reacts to what you do. A police chase in RP feels very different, because the person you are running from is also a real player with a character to protect.
Can you play both?
Yes, and many people do. They are separate worlds with separate characters. FiveM is a mod made by Cfx.re, which Rockstar Games acquired on August 11, 2023, so it now belongs to the Rockstar family. You can keep your GTA Online progress and also try RP whenever you want.
Ready to try RP?
Browse the GTA RP server list and look for a server with players online right now. Our guide on how to choose a GTA RP server helps you pick one.
Which is right for you?
- Choose GTA Online if you want quick action, missions and cars with friends.
- Choose GTA RP if you like acting, talking and building a character.
- Try both and switch by mood. Many players do.
First steps for RP
- Read our GTA RP starter guide.
- Pick a server in your language from the server list.
- Learn the basic terms.
- Be kind. Everyone was new once.
