Xbox Game Pass Plans, Explained: How Much Does a Subscription Cost?
Which gaming subscription is right for you?
With the subscription service offering games like Black Ops 6 the day they hit shelves, Xbox Game Pass is one of the most cost-efficient ways to play brand-new games on your Xbox console or PC. For a monthly fee, you can access an almost overwhelming library of games, including everything from vast 100-hour RPGs and cozy farming sims to nail-biting cinematic adventures and tactical shooters.
But how much is that fixed cost? In 2023, Xbox sunset its Gold Membership and decided to fully focus on Xbox Game Pass as its central subscription service. Essentially, Gold rolled into Game Pass, with Microsoft adding more focused plans that allow you to pay for exactly what you want from Xbox’s online services. In 2024, a new "Standard" Game Pass tier was introduced, and, of course, we've already gotten price hikes. Let’s quickly run you through all of Game Pass’ membership plans so you can get stuck into some huge games without any of the hassle. In total, Xbox Game Pass has four plans: Xbox Game Pass Core, Xbox Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Below, we'll go through what each of these plans offers, the drawbacks and the price, so you can decide which works best for you. Note that most plans are exclusive to certain platforms, so make sure you’re buying the correct version of Game Pass depending on where you play. The equivalent to an Xbox Live Gold Membership, Game Pass Core focuses entirely on offering online multiplayer on Xbox consoles. Included in the price is access to Xbox’s online multiplayer services and all the discounts and offers made available for members. The Core plan doesn’t let you freely download titles from the full Game Pass library, but you will be able to access a slither of Game Pass’ offerings via a collection of over 25 games included in the membership price. Xbox has confirmed that the list will grow over time, with new games being added in the coming months. If you’re just looking to play some multiplayer with friends online and aren’t too bothered about accessing the full Game Pass library, then this is the plan for you. Providing PC players with access to the Game Pass library, Xbox Game Pass PC is the plan for those exclusively interacting with Xbox’s services via their computer. The plan unlocks access to the PC Game Pass library as well as granting an EA Play Membership, where you can download titles like Fifa 23, Madden 23, the Sims 4 and Need for Speed: Unbound. In terms of the differences between the console and PC games library, both lineups are largely very similar. There are a few console-exclusive titles, but some games like Grand Theft Auto 5, UFC 4, the Fable series and Skate 3 are only available on Xbox platforms. PC Game Pass has a few exclusives of its own, such as League of Legends, Valorant, Total War: Three Kingdoms and the Crysis trilogy. This plan is best suited for exclusively PC players looking to bolster their library with some Xbox exclusives and third-party hits. Considering playing online on PC is free, you also won’t be missing out on many of the perks of upgrading to the pricier Game Pass Ultimate plan. The Standard tier is the newest addition on this list, and was created alongside the Game Pass Ultimate price hike (see below) to offer an option for Xbox console players at the original "Game Pass" price of $16.99/month. With access to the Xbox Game Pass library, you’ll be able to play over 450 games, including Starfield, Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo Infinite, Lies of P, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Sea of Thieves and many more. This library is frequently updated, but the main drawback of the Standard plan vs. Game Pass Ultimate is there will be a waiting period before select first-party games are included in the Standard library. The Xbox Game Pass Standard plan is best suited to anyone who is looking to play a vast range of games exclusively on their console and isn't too worried about Day One access to new releases. The most expensive plan of the bunch, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate aims to be a combination of all three of the previous plans, with a few added extras sprinkled on top. After purchasing Ultimate for the month, you’ll gain access to online console multiplayer, both the console and PC Game Pass libraries, and an EA Play membership. The big difference between this and the "Standard" tier? Besides getting your Game Pass library across PC and console, you'll also get new games the same day the release. Which, yes, used to be part of the $16.99/month plan, but then Black Ops 6 happened, so here we are. Nonetheless, Game Pass Ultimate is the go-to package for those who frequently use Xbox’s services, especially as a console player. While there’s less incentive for PC-only users to upgrade from Game Pass PC, on a console, it offers a wide range of games and allows you to hop online with friends, making it the best deal for those wanting full access to everything Xbox has to offer. Looking for more Xbox news and updates? Check out our recent breakdown of Xbox's latest business update, which included confirmation of a next-gen console, or head over to our ranked list of the best Xbox Series X and S games you can play right now, which includes some of Game Pass’ biggest and best hits. You can also check out our list of free Xbox games that don't require a subscription at all if you plan on cancelling Xbox Game Pass.How Many Xbox Game Pass Plans Are Available?
Xbox Game Pass Plans and Pricing (as of November 2024)
Xbox Game Pass Core (Xbox Consoles) - $9.99/month
Xbox Game Pass Standard (Xbox Consoles) - $14.99/month
PC Game Pass (PC Platforms) - $11.99/month
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (Xbox Consoles and PC Platforms) - $19.99/month
Breaking Down Xbox Game Pass Plans
Xbox Game Pass Core (Xbox Consoles) - $9.99/month
PC Game Pass (PC Platforms) - $11.99/month
Xbox Game Pass Standard (Xbox Consoles) - $16.99/month
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (Xbox Consoles and PC Platforms) - $19.99/month
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