What is blocked when playing the free version of FF14?

Question

So what is and isn't blocked in FF14 free trial version?

Answer

You can find the details and restrictions of the trail version on the Square Enix site.

Here is the relevant extract:

The following terms and conditions apply to players who use the Free Trial (“Free Trial Players”):

• Free Trial Players are not required to purchase licensed software to use the Free Trial.
• One (1) Free Trial account may be registered to a Square Enix account so long as that Square Enix account has not been previously registered with any version of the game.
• Free Trial Players can purchase select in-game items from the FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online Store during the Free Trial. Not all in-game items are available for purchase by Free Trial Players (e.g., in-game item gift codes).
• Free Trial Players can create up to eight (8) playable characters, restricted to one (1) playable character per World.
• Free Trial account characters have all their levels capped at level sixty (60).
• Free Trial account characters can possess a maximum of 300,000 gil (in-game currency).
• Free Trial Players cannot use the "shout," "yell," or "tell" in-game chat options during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot access the in-game market board during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot trade with other players during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot send in-game letters using the moogle delivery service during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot hire retainers during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players can join a Linkshell or Cross-World Linkshell if invited but cannot create a new Linkshell or Cross-World Linkshell during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot create or join a Free Company during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players can join a party if invited or by using the Duty Finder but cannot assemble a party during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot create or join a PvP team or participate in The Feast (Ranked Match) or The Feast (Team Ranked Match) during the Free Trial.
• Free Trial Players cannot log into the Lodestone, the official forum, or Companion application during the Free Trial.

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Question

so what is the usual cap? is 60 halfway up? 3/4 up the levels?

Answer

The current level cap is 80. This could change in the future.

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Question

No Free companies (in generic MMORPG terms... what is that?)

Answer

Information can be found here. Extract:

Free Companies are player operated organizations similar to guilds in other MMOs. Players can only be in 1 Free Company at a time.

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Question

No parties (are they talking about player groups to quest together? that seems like a huge thing to block.)

Answer

Information can be found here. Extract:

Party is a group of players. Players can form a party to tackle many group activities such as dungeons, trials, FATEs, guildhests, Treasure Hunts and certain quests.

As stated in the list above, you can join parties if invited. You just can't create your own. I disagree that it is a huge thing to block - it's a FREE version, it's supposed to have features missing otherwise nobody would pay for the full version.