Xbox Cloud Gaming review

Xbox Cloud Gaming is the simplest way to get a big catalog of games on a screen you already own. Cloud play is part of every Game Pass tier except PC Game Pass: Essential costs $9.99 a month and lists 50+ games, Premium is $14.99 with 200+ games, and Ultimate is $22.99 with 500+ games, day-one releases, EA Play, Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics. Games stream in supported browsers, in the Xbox PC app, on Xbox consoles, on select LG, Samsung and VIDAA TVs, Fire TV, handhelds and VR headsets, and touch controls work in supported titles. You can also stream select games you own, including most Xbox Play Anywhere games. The main limit is time: Microsoft caps cloud playtime at 5, 10 or 15 hours a month by plan, which suits casual play more than daily sessions. Microsoft does not state a maximum resolution on its plan pages.

Who it is for

Players who want a large included catalog of console games on a phone, TV, browser or handheld for one monthly fee.

Price

Game Pass Essential from $9.99 per month with 5 hours of cloud playtime; Ultimate $22.99 per month with 15 hours.

then $9.99/month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Cloud gaming included with Game Pass Essential, Premium and Ultimate
• Essential lists 50+ games, Premium 200+ and Ultimate 500+
• Stream select games you own, including most Xbox Play Anywhere games
• Plays in supported browsers, on select LG, Samsung and VIDAA TVs, Fire TV and VR headsets
• Free-to-play games such as Fortnite stream at xbox.com/play with a Microsoft account

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Games are included in the subscription, so there is nothing else to buy
• Strength: Widest device support among the console services
• Strength: Fortnite and other free-to-play games stream without a subscription
• Weakness: Monthly cloud playtime is capped at 5, 10 or 15 hours depending on the plan
• Weakness: PC Game Pass does not include cloud gaming
• Weakness: Microsoft does not publish a maximum stream resolution on its plan pages

Key facts

• Essential: $9.99 a month, 50+ games, 5 cloud hours a month
• Premium: $14.99 a month, 200+ games, 10 cloud hours a month
• Ultimate: $22.99 a month, 500+ games, 15 cloud hours a month
• Intro offer: First 14 days for $1 for eligible new members
• Free play: Free-to-play titles like Fortnite at xbox.com/play

Where it ranks

Xbox Cloud Gaming is No. 2 in our Best Cloud Gaming Services verdict.