What Xbox Live Gold is and who needs it
Xbox Live Gold is a paid subscription from Microsoft that lets you play online multiplayer games on Xbox consoles. If you own an Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or Xbox 360, you need an active Gold subscription to connect to other players in games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Minecraft multiplayer mode.
The subscription also includes access to Games with Gold, a rotating selection of free games you can read each month. Gold members also get discounts on games and add-ons in the Microsoft Store, and priority access to Xbox support.
If you only play single-player games or games that don't require online multiplayer, you do not need Gold. Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone let you play online multiplayer without a subscription on any Xbox console.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Live Gold costs $9.99 per month, $24.99 for three months, or $59.99 per year, with prices varying slightly by region.
- You need Gold to play online multiplayer on Xbox consoles, but free-to-play games do not require it.
- Games with Gold gives you access to two free games each month that you keep as long as your subscription is active.
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold plus hundreds of games in one subscription, costing $16.99 per month.
- You can pause your subscription for up to 36 months without losing your account or saved data.
Monthly, quarterly, and annual pricing options
Microsoft offers three subscription lengths for Xbox Live Gold. The monthly plan costs $9.99 per month and renews automatically each month. The three-month plan costs $24.99 and renews every three months. The annual plan costs $59.99 per year and renews once a year.
Prices may vary by country and region. If you live outside the United States, check the Xbox website for your local pricing. Some retailers also sell Xbox Live Gold codes at a discount, though you should only buy from authorized sellers to avoid account problems.
You can change your subscription length at any time through your Xbox account settings. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-cycle, you will not get a refund for the remaining monthly time, but your new annual subscription will start when your current plan ends.
Games with Gold and what you get each month
Games with Gold is included in your Gold subscription at no extra cost. Each month, Microsoft releases two free games for Xbox One and two for Xbox 360 (if you have an older console). You read these games through the Xbox Store and keep them as long as your subscription stays active.
The games change on the first and sixteenth of each month. Past offerings have included titles like Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Gears 5, and Forza Horizon 4. You can see which games are coming next month on the Xbox website before they release.
If your subscription lapses, you lose access to Games with Gold titles until you renew. Your save data stays on your console, so you can resume playing if you resubscribe later.
How Xbox Live Gold compares to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a different subscription that includes Xbox Live Gold plus access to hundreds of games in the Game Pass library. Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99 per month and includes everything Gold offers — online multiplayer, Games with Gold, and discounts — plus the ability to read and play games from the Game Pass catalog.
If you plan to play a wide variety of games and want online multiplayer, Game Pass Ultimate may cost less over time than buying Gold and individual games separately. However, if you only play one or two games online and do not want access to the Game Pass library, Gold alone is cheaper.
| Feature | Xbox Live Gold | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Online multiplayer | Yes | Yes |
| Games with Gold (2 free games per month) | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Game Pass library | No | Yes (hundreds of games) |
| Cloud gaming | No | Yes |
| Monthly cost | $9.99 | $16.99 |
How to manage your subscription and pause it
You manage your Xbox Live Gold subscription through your Microsoft account on the Xbox website or through your console settings. Go to your account, select Subscriptions, and you will see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method.
You can pause your subscription for up to 36 months without losing your account, saved games, or achievements. When you pause, your subscription stops renewing and you will not be charged. Your account remains active, so you can resume whenever you want. To pause, go to your subscription settings and select the pause option.
If you want to cancel instead of pause, you can do that through the same menu. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you will not lose access mid-month. You will not receive a refund for the remaining time on your current plan.
Free-to-play games that do not require Gold
Some of the most popular games on Xbox do not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online. Free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzone, Rocket League, and Halo Infinite let you play multiplayer without paying for Gold.
You still need an Xbox account to play these games, but the account itself is free. You can create one on the Xbox website or during console setup. Free-to-play games may offer cosmetic items, battle passes, or other content you can buy separately, but the core multiplayer experience is at no cost.
If you are unsure whether a specific game requires Gold, check the game's store page on Xbox. It will clearly state whether online multiplayer needs a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Xbox Live Gold subscription with family members?
Yes, through Xbox's Home console feature. If you set your console as your Home Xbox, anyone with an account on that console can use your Gold subscription. However, you can only set one console as your Home Xbox at a time, and you must be signed in on that console for others to use your subscription remotely.
What happens to my Games with Gold if I cancel my subscription?
You lose access to Games with Gold titles when your subscription ends. Your save data stays on your console, so if you resubscribe later, you can resume playing. The games themselves are locked until you renew.
Is there a student or family discount for Xbox Live Gold?
Microsoft does not offer a dedicated student discount for Gold, but Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sometimes includes promotional pricing for new subscribers. Check the Xbox website for current offers. Family plans are not available for Gold alone, but Game Pass Ultimate can be shared through Home console settings.
Do I need Gold to watch Netflix or use other apps on Xbox?
No. Streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube work on Xbox without a Gold subscription. You only need Gold for online multiplayer gaming and to access Games with Gold.
Can I get a refund if I paid for Gold but did not use it?
Microsoft's refund policy depends on how long ago you purchased and whether you used the subscription. Refund requests go through your Microsoft account. Contact Xbox Support through the Xbox website to request a refund and explain your situation.