In player-run Free Companies you can play alongside other Warriors of Light and chat while you play.

You’d have to start a separate account to access the trial and start afresh. Unfortunately you can’t go back to the free trial if you’ve already owned it at some point. Returning players will need to re-subscribe and grab a copy of Shadowbringers to gain access to everything, even if you didn’t finish A Realm Reborn or Heavensward. If you decide you want to continue then buy yourself a copy of Shadowbringers (the latest expansion) as it will include all of the expansions with it. There are a couple of caveats (you can’t participate in the market system or join guilds, or Free Companies), but this is the best way to start. Covering both the base game and the first expansion (Heavensward), it’s basically the equivalent of two massive JRPGs back to back. If this is your first time playing and you’re a little unsure about investing in a monthly subscription, then you’re in luck: There’s an extremely generous free trial.

FFXIV beginners guide : Everything you need to know

Free trial heavensward download