What Xbox subscriptions cover and how they differ
Microsoft offers two separate subscription services for Xbox players: Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. They serve different purposes and you can buy them together or separately.
Xbox Game Pass is a library subscription. You pay a monthly fee and get access to play hundreds of games on your Xbox console, PC, or through cloud gaming. The games change — Microsoft adds new titles and removes others throughout the year. You do not own the games; you can only play them while your subscription is active.
Xbox Live Gold is a multiplayer and online service subscription. It lets you play online multiplayer games, claim free games each month, and get discounts on the Xbox store. You need it to play online with other people on most games, though some free-to-play games do not require it.
Microsoft also offers Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which bundles Game Pass for console, Game Pass for PC, Xbox Live Gold, and cloud gaming into one subscription at a higher monthly price than Game Pass alone.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Game Pass gives you access to a rotating library of games on console, PC, and cloud; Xbox Live Gold enables online multiplayer and monthly free games.
- Game Pass Ultimate combines both services plus cloud gaming into a single subscription, costing more per month than Game Pass alone.
- Game Pass games are available only while your subscription is active; you do not own them permanently.
- Some free-to-play games do not require Xbox Live Gold to play online, but most paid multiplayer games do.
- Prices vary by region and subscription length, and Microsoft periodically raises prices on existing plans.
Game Pass pricing and what's included in each tier
Game Pass comes in three versions with different prices and game libraries. Game Pass for Console works only on Xbox consoles and costs less per month than the other options. Game Pass for PC works only on Windows computers and has a separate monthly price. Game Pass Ultimate includes both console and PC access, plus Xbox Live Gold, cloud gaming, and day-one access to new Microsoft games — meaning games published by Microsoft Studios are available the day they release.
Prices vary by country and region. In the United States, as of 2024, Game Pass for Console and Game Pass for PC each have a standard monthly price, while Game Pass Ultimate costs more. Microsoft has raised prices multiple times in recent years, and prices may change again. Check the Xbox website for your region to see current pricing.
When you first sign up for Game Pass, Microsoft sometimes offers a discounted first month or a trial period. These introductory offers change frequently and are not always available to all users.
Xbox Live Gold pricing and online multiplayer access
Xbox Live Gold has a monthly price and also a yearly option that costs less per month when paid upfront. Like Game Pass, the exact price depends on your region and has increased over time.
With Xbox Live Gold, you get online multiplayer access for most games, the ability to join Xbox parties and chat with friends, and the right to claim free games each month. These free games are yours to keep even if your subscription lapses — you own them permanently once claimed. The selection of free games changes monthly.
Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone do not require Xbox Live Gold to play online. You can play them without any subscription. However, if you want to play online multiplayer in games you purchase, you almost always need Gold active.
Game Pass Ultimate and bundled pricing
Game Pass Ultimate is the most expensive option but combines the most services. You get Game Pass for Console, Game Pass for PC, Xbox Live Gold, and cloud gaming all in one subscription. This means you can play the Game Pass library on your Xbox, on your Windows PC, and stream games to your phone or tablet through the cloud.
The monthly price for Game Pass Ultimate is higher than Game Pass alone, but lower than paying for Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold separately. If you use both services, Ultimate usually costs less overall than buying them separately.
Game Pass Ultimate also includes day-one access to new games from Microsoft Studios. When Bethesda or 343 Industries releases a new game, it appears in Game Pass on the same day it launches elsewhere, rather than months or years later.
How to manage your subscription and cancel anytime
You manage your Xbox subscription through your Microsoft account settings on the Xbox website or through your console. You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your account or progress. When you pause, you are not charged, but you cannot play Game Pass games or use Xbox Live Gold features until you resume.
You can cancel your subscription at any time. If you cancel Game Pass, you lose access to the library when ready, but your save files and achievements stay in your account. If you cancel Xbox Live Gold, you can no longer play online multiplayer, but you keep the free games you claimed while Gold was active.
Your subscription renews automatically each month or year unless you turn off auto-renewal in your account settings. Microsoft sends a reminder email before each renewal, and you can cancel before the renewal date to stop being charged.
Game Pass library changes and what happens to games you're playing
The Game Pass library is not static. Microsoft adds new games regularly and removes others when licensing agreements end. When a game leaves Game Pass, you get a notification in advance, usually 30 days before removal. If you are in the middle of playing a game that's leaving, you can finish it, but once it leaves the service, you cannot play it unless you buy it separately.
Some games stay in Game Pass for years; others are available for only a few months. Microsoft does not publish a schedule of which games are leaving, but the Xbox app shows you which games are leaving soon when you open it.
If you want to keep playing a game after it leaves Game Pass, you can buy it at a discount. Game Pass members get a percentage off the purchase price of any game in the library, even after it leaves the service.
Cloud gaming and playing on different devices
Cloud gaming, included with Game Pass Ultimate, lets you stream games to your phone, tablet, or web browser instead of downloading them to a console or PC. You need a strong internet connection — Microsoft recommends at least 5 Mbps for 1080p resolution and 35 Mbps for 4K.
Not every game in the Game Pass library is available through cloud gaming. Microsoft lists which games support streaming in the Xbox app. Cloud gaming works on iPhones and iPads through the Xbox app, on Android phones and tablets, and through a web browser on Windows and Mac.
You need an Xbox controller or a compatible third-party controller to play through cloud gaming on most devices. Some games support touch controls, but most do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold?
Not necessarily. Game Pass lets you play single-player games without Gold. You only need Gold if you want to play online multiplayer or claim the monthly free games. If you play mostly single-player games, Game Pass alone is enough. If you want both, Game Pass Ultimate bundles them together.
Can I play Game Pass games on my PC and console with one subscription?
Only with Game Pass Ultimate. Game Pass for Console works only on Xbox consoles, and Game Pass for PC works only on Windows computers. Game Pass Ultimate covers both, plus cloud gaming on phones and tablets.
What happens to my games if I cancel Game Pass?
You lose access to the Game Pass library when ready. Your save files stay in your account, so if you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off. Games you own separately (purchased, not from Game Pass) remain playable.
Are the free games from Xbox Live Gold mine to keep?
Yes. Once you claim a free game through Xbox Live Gold, you own it permanently. If your Gold subscription lapses, you keep the games you claimed. You can play them anytime without an active subscription.
Can I play free-to-play games without paying for anything?
Yes. Games like Fortnite, Warzone, and Apex Legends do not require Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold to play online. You can read them free and play multiplayer without any subscription.