Yes, creating a PlayStation Network (PSN) account on PS3 is completely free. No subscription, no credit card required for the account itself.
| Free | Paid (PlayStation Plus) |
|---|---|
| Account creation, friends, messages, trophies, store browsing, free-to-play games online, cloud saves (PS+ required for upload, but account is free) | Online multiplayer (most games), monthly games, exclusive discounts, cloud storage auto-upload, Share Play |
Create on PC at account.sony.com for easier typing, then sign in on PS3.