What Xbox subscriptions do
Xbox offers two main subscriptions: Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. Game Pass is a library of games you can read and play on your console or PC — think of it like Netflix for video games. Xbox Live Gold lets you play games online with other people and gives you access to some free games each month. You can buy them separately or together as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which bundles both services.
The subscriptions renew automatically each month or year, depending on which plan you choose. You pay through the Microsoft account linked to your Xbox console or Windows PC. If you cancel, your access stops when the current billing period ends — you keep playing until that date, then the service turns off.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Game Pass gives you access to hundreds of games to read and play, with new titles added regularly and older ones removed.
- Xbox Live Gold is required to play online multiplayer games and includes a small selection of free games each month.
- Game Pass Ultimate combines both services and costs less than buying them separately.
- Subscriptions renew automatically each billing cycle and can be managed or cancelled through your Microsoft account settings.
Xbox Game Pass: What games you get
Game Pass includes hundreds of games across different genres — action, sports, puzzle, role-playing, and more. Microsoft adds new games to the library regularly and removes others, so the selection changes month to month. You can browse the full list on the Xbox app or Xbox.com before you subscribe to see if the current games interest you.
When you read a game through Game Pass, it works like any other game on your console or PC. You can play offline, earn achievements, and save your progress. If a game leaves the library, you can still play it if you own it separately, but Game Pass access ends. Some games offer discounts to Game Pass members if you want to buy them permanently.
Game Pass also includes Xbox Game Pass for PC, which has a separate library of games optimized for Windows computers. If you have Game Pass Ultimate, you get both the console and PC libraries.
Xbox Live Gold: Online play and monthly games
Xbox Live Gold is the subscription you need to play multiplayer games online with other players. Single-player games work without it, but any game that requires you to connect to other people — whether competitive or cooperative — needs Gold active on your account.
Gold also gives you access to a small selection of free games each month. These are permanent additions to your library — once you claim them, they stay in your account even if your Gold subscription ends. The free games rotate monthly, and you can see what's coming next on the Xbox website.
Gold also includes discounts on games and add-ons in the Xbox Store, though the savings vary by title.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: The combined option
Game Pass Ultimate bundles Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and Xbox Game Pass for PC into one subscription. It costs less per month than buying Game Pass and Gold separately. If you already have one subscription, you can upgrade to Ultimate and the system will credit the remaining time from your current plan toward the new one.
Ultimate also includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you play certain Game Pass games through the internet on your phone, tablet, or web browser without downloading them. Cloud Gaming works on Xbox, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, though you need a strong internet connection and a compatible controller.
Pricing and billing cycles
Xbox offers monthly and annual plans for each subscription. Monthly plans renew every 30 days; annual plans renew every 12 months. Prices vary by region and change occasionally, so check the Xbox website or your console settings for current rates in your area.
You can also buy prepaid subscription cards from retailers and redeem them on your Microsoft account. These work like gift cards — you enter the code and the time is added to your account. Prepaid cards are useful if you want to avoid automatic renewal or give a subscription as a gift.
If you have Game Pass or Gold through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you cannot downgrade to a lower tier mid-cycle. You can cancel anytime, but you keep access through the end of your current billing period.
How to manage your subscription
You can view, pause, or cancel your subscription through your Microsoft account on Xbox.com or through your console settings. On your console, go to Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions. You'll see all active subscriptions and their renewal dates. From there you can cancel or change your plan.
If you cancel, your subscription stays active until the end of the current billing cycle. After that date, you lose access to Game Pass games and online multiplayer, though any games you own separately still work. If you claimed free games through Gold, those stay in your library permanently.
You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want to take a break without cancelling. During the pause, you won't be charged, and when you resume, your renewal date picks up where it left off.
Game Pass on different devices
Game Pass works on Xbox consoles (Series X, Series S, Xbox One), Windows PCs, and through cloud gaming on phones and tablets. The console and PC libraries are slightly different — not every game appears on both platforms. When you read a game on one device, you don't automatically have it on another; you need to read it separately on each device you want to play it on.
If you have Game Pass Ultimate, you can play the same games across console, PC, and cloud. Your save files sync between console and PC for many games, so you can pick up where you left off on a different device. Cloud Gaming doesn't require a read — the game runs on Microsoft's servers and streams to your screen, though the experience depends on your internet speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Xbox Live Gold to play single-player games?
No. Single-player games work without any subscription. You only need Gold to play online multiplayer or to claim the free monthly games. Game Pass is separate and gives you access to a library of games regardless of whether you have Gold.
What happens to my games if I cancel Game Pass?
Games you downloaded through Game Pass stop working when your subscription ends. Games you own separately or purchased with your own money stay playable. Free games you claimed through Xbox Live Gold remain in your library permanently, even after Gold ends.
Can I use Game Pass on multiple consoles?
Yes, if they're linked to the same Microsoft account. You can read and play Game Pass games on any console signed into your account. However, only one person can play at a time on the same console unless you set up a second profile.
Is cloud gaming included in regular Game Pass?
No. Cloud Gaming is only included with Game Pass Ultimate. Regular Game Pass on console or PC requires you to read games. You can try Cloud Gaming free for a limited time to see if it works well with your internet connection.
Can I switch between monthly and annual plans?
Yes. You can change your plan type through your account settings. If you switch from monthly to annual, you'll pay the difference. If you switch from annual to monthly, the remaining time on your annual plan is credited toward the new plan.