What you get with each Xbox subscription tier

Xbox offers two main subscription paths: Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass. They serve different purposes and can be bought separately or together. Xbox Live Gold is the older service that lets you play online multiplayer games, while Xbox Game Pass is a library of games you can read and play as long as your subscription is active.

Xbox Live Gold costs around $10 to $17 per month depending on whether you buy one month, three months, or a year at once. With Gold, you get online multiplayer access, free games each month (usually two to four titles), and discounts on games in the Microsoft Store. You do not get a library of games to choose from — you only get the specific free games Microsoft releases that month.

Xbox Game Pass costs around $11 to $17 per month for the standard tier, depending on your console type. Game Pass gives you access to a rotating library of hundreds of games you can read and play. The library changes monthly — Microsoft adds new games and removes others. Game Pass does not include online multiplayer on its own; you need Xbox Live Gold for that.

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox Live Gold ($10–$17 per month) covers online multiplayer and gives you two to four free games monthly, but does not include a game library.
  • Xbox Game Pass ($11–$17 per month) gives you hundreds of games to read, but the library rotates and you need Gold separately for online multiplayer.
  • Game Pass Ultimate ($17–$20 per month) bundles Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and cloud gaming into one subscription.
  • Prices vary by subscription length (one month, three months, or one year) and by console type (Xbox console, PC, or mobile).
  • Games you read through Game Pass stop working if your subscription ends, but games you own outright remain playable.

Game Pass Ultimate combines all three services

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier and bundles Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass for console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and cloud gaming into one subscription. It costs around $17 to $20 per month. If you want to play online multiplayer and also have access to the Game Pass library, Ultimate is the single subscription that covers both.

Ultimate also includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you stream games from Microsoft's servers to your console, PC, or phone instead of downloading them. This is useful if you have limited storage space or want to try a game before downloading it. Not every game in the Game Pass library is available through cloud gaming — the list varies.

If you already have Xbox Live Gold, you can upgrade to Game Pass Ultimate and Microsoft will convert your remaining Gold time into Ultimate time at a conversion rate (usually around 1:1 for recent purchases, but rates vary). Check the current conversion rate on the Xbox website before upgrading.

How subscription length and console type affect price

All three subscriptions offer discounts for longer commitments. A one-month subscription costs more per month than a three-month or one-year subscription. For example, Xbox Live Gold might cost $17 for one month but $10 per month if you buy a year upfront. The exact prices change periodically and vary by region.

Game Pass pricing also depends on which version you buy. Game Pass for Console works only on Xbox consoles and costs less than Game Pass for PC, which works only on Windows computers. Game Pass Ultimate includes both console and PC versions plus cloud gaming, so it costs more than either alone.

Microsoft occasionally runs promotional offers — for example, new subscribers might get the first month for $1, or existing Gold subscribers might get a discounted upgrade to Ultimate. These offers change frequently and are not always available to everyone. Check the Xbox website or your console's subscription menu to see what offers are currently available in your region.

What happens to games when your subscription ends

Games you read through Game Pass are tied to your subscription. If you stop paying, you lose access to those games — they will not launch even if they are still on your console's storage. If you own a game outright (you bought it, not subscribed to it), you keep it forever regardless of your subscription status.

Some games move between Game Pass and the store regularly. A game might be in Game Pass one month and removed the next, which means you would need to buy it if you want to keep playing. Game Pass tells you which games are leaving the service 30 days before they disappear, so you have time to decide whether to purchase them.

If you pause or cancel your subscription, your save files are stored in the cloud and will be there when you resubscribe. You do not lose your progress, but you cannot play the games until your subscription is active again.

Free games and monthly rewards with Gold

Xbox Live Gold members receive two to four free games each month. These games are yours to keep permanently — even if your Gold subscription ends, you keep the games you claimed while subscribed. Microsoft announces the free games for the current and next month on the Xbox website and in the Xbox app.

To claim the free games, you must read them while your subscription is active. If you do not read a game during the month it is free, you lose access to it (unless you buy it later). You claim games through the Microsoft Store on your console or PC.

Gold members also earn Xbox Rewards points for activities like playing games, completing achievements, and making purchases. These points can be redeemed for Game Pass time, Xbox gift cards, or other rewards. The number of points you earn varies by activity.

Family sharing and multiple accounts

One Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass subscription can cover multiple accounts on the same console. If you set up a console as your home console, any account on that console can use your subscription. This means family members can play online multiplayer and access Game Pass games without each having their own subscription.

On PC, Game Pass works differently — only the account that purchased the subscription can use it. You cannot share PC Game Pass with other accounts on the same computer the way you can on console.

If you want to use your subscription on multiple consoles or let someone else use it on their console, you will need to set up home console sharing through your Xbox account settings. Microsoft's terms of service allow home sharing for household members, but sharing with people outside your household may violate the terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Xbox Live Gold to play online multiplayer?

Yes, you need either Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate to play online multiplayer on Xbox consoles. Game Pass for Console alone does not include online multiplayer. On PC, many games do not require any subscription to play online, so check the game's requirements first.

Can I use Game Pass on my phone?

Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you stream games to your phone. You cannot read games directly to a phone — you can only stream them. You need a strong internet connection and a compatible controller or touch controls.

What is the difference between Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate?

Game Pass for Console gives you the game library on Xbox consoles only. Game Pass Ultimate adds Xbox Live Gold, PC Game Pass, and cloud gaming. If you want online multiplayer or PC access, you need Ultimate.

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Yes, you can cancel anytime through your Xbox account settings or the Microsoft Store. You will lose access to Game Pass games when ready, but you keep any games you own outright. If you prepaid for multiple months, you do not get a refund for unused time.

Do game prices drop if I have Game Pass?

Game Pass members often receive discounts on games in the Microsoft Store, usually 10 to 20 percent off. The discount applies whether the game is in Game Pass or not. Check the store listing for each game to see the member discount.