Xbox Game Pass review

Xbox Game Pass ranks first because no other service on this list combines as many games with as many bundled extras. Microsoft sells four plans. Essential lists 50+ games, online console multiplayer and 5 hours of cloud play a month. Premium raises that to 200+ games, 10 cloud hours and new Xbox-published games within a year of launch. Ultimate lists 500+ games, new games on day one, 15 cloud hours, and includes EA Play, Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics, three services that cost extra elsewhere. PC Game Pass covers 300+ games on PC only with day one releases and EA Play. Cloud gaming lets you stream on phones, tablets, TVs and VR headsets without a download. The limits are the cloud hour caps and a thin Essential library. Xbox's US page lists plans from $9.99 a month for Essential.

Who it is for

Xbox and PC players who want new releases on day one

Price

Essential from $9.99 per month; Premium, Ultimate and PC Game Pass cost more.

Plans start at $9.99/month.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Ultimate lists 500+ games playable on console, PC and more devices
• Ultimate adds EA Play, Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics
• New games on day one on Ultimate and PC Game Pass
• Cloud playtime of 5, 10 or 15 hours a month on Essential, Premium and Ultimate
• PC Game Pass covers 300+ PC games and includes EA Play

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Largest listed library on this list at 500+ games on Ultimate
• Strength: Three other subscriptions bundled into Ultimate
• Strength: Online console multiplayer included from Essential up
• Weakness: Cloud play is capped at 15 hours a month even on Ultimate
• Weakness: Essential has 50+ games, a small fraction of the Ultimate library
• Weakness: Ultimate-only perks such as day one games and EA Play need the top console plan

Key facts

• Plans: Essential, Premium, Ultimate and PC Game Pass
• Essential: 50+ games, 5 cloud hours a month
• Premium: 200+ games, 10 cloud hours a month
• Ultimate: 500+ games, 15 cloud hours a month
• PC Game Pass: 300+ games on PC only

Where it ranks

Xbox Game Pass is No. 1 in our Best Game Subscription Services verdict.