I’ve used Xbox Game Pass across different types of gaming, and I’ve found that the cheapest plan is not always the best fit. I currently use PC Game Pass, since I mainly play on PC and do not need console features.
The price difference between tiers can be significant, especially if you only play on one platform.
As of September 2026, Xbox Game Pass costs $9.99 to $22.99 per month for paid plans in the US, while Starter Edition is available free with eligible subscriptions. Here’s what each plan costs and what you get for the price.
A Quick Look at Xbox Game Pass Prices
Here is the quick answer before the details.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Pass Essential | $9.99 | Console |
| Xbox Game Pass Premium | $14.99 | Console, Cloud |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99 | PC only |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $22.99 | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition | Free (with Discord Nitro or Meta Horizon+) | Console, PC, limited Cloud |
Prices are shown in USD and apply to the US market. Microsoft sets different pricing by region, so check xbox.com for your local rate.
How Much Is Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass costs $9.99 to $22.99 per month for paid plans in the US. Essential costs $9.99, Premium costs $14.99, PC Game Pass costs $13.99, and Ultimate costs $22.99 per month. You can use Game Pass to access games on Xbox, PC, and supported devices, depending on the plan.
There is also a free Starter Edition for eligible Discord Nitro and Meta Horizon+ subscribers. It offers a smaller selection of games and limited cloud gaming, while the paid plans provide broader access depending on the tier.
What is the Price of Xbox Game Pass Essential?
Essential costs $9.99 a month and is the entry-level console tier, previously known as Game Pass Core.
It includes:
- Access to a rotating library of 30+ games, including titles like Fallout 76 and Doom Eternal
- Online console multiplayer
- Discounts of up to 50% on select game purchases, with refunds for eligible games available through Microsoft’s refund process
- Free Play Days access for select titles
The main trade-off is that Essential does not get new first-party Xbox games on launch day. If day-one access to titles from studios like Bethesda or 343 Industries matters to you, this tier will disappoint.
Essential works best for casual console players who mainly want online multiplayer and occasional discounts.
How Much Does Xbox Game Pass Premium Cost?
Premium costs $14.99 a month. It replaced the old Standard tier in late 2025 and kept the same price while expanding the library to 200+ games.
Premium adds cloud gaming on top of everything in Essential, so you can stream games to a phone, tablet, or browser. New Xbox first-party games do eventually arrive on Premium, but often after a delay of up to a year, and Call of Duty titles are excluded even then.
This is a solid middle option for regular console players who want a bigger library and cloud access but don’t need every new release immediately.
What is the Price of PC Game Pass?
PC Game Pass costs $13.99 a month, down from $16.49 after Microsoft’s April 2026 pricing update. It covers Windows PC only and is designed for PC gaming, without console or cloud access.
For PC-only players, this tier is usually a better deal than Ultimate, since you are not paying extra for console features you will never use. It includes the full PC game library, Xbox app access, and PC-specific perks and deals.
However, some games in the library have much higher hardware requirements than others. If your PC struggles with newer Game Pass titles, you may need to upgrade components such as the RAM, storage, or graphics card. And if you are unsure where to start, you can read our guide on how to upgrade your PC to identify the upgrades that can make the biggest difference.
What is the Price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Ultimate costs $22.99 a month, reduced from $29.99 following Microsoft’s April 21, 2026 price rollback after subscriber backlash.
Ultimate is the all-in-one plan and includes:
- Full console, PC, and cloud gaming access
- A library of 500+ games
- EA Play inclusion
- Ubisoft+ Classics
- Fortnite Crew perks
- Day-one access to most new first-party Xbox releases
The one notable gap is Call of Duty. New Call of Duty titles no longer launch on Game Pass day one, which changes the value equation for players who joined mainly for that series.
Ultimate still makes sense for anyone who plays across console, PC, and cloud, or who wants the broadest library without piecing together multiple subscriptions.
Is the Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition Free?
Yes, the Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition is free, but it is only available as a perk with an existing Discord Nitro or Meta Horizon+ subscription. It is not sold as a standalone Game Pass plan.
Starter Edition includes access to 50+ console and PC games, such as Fallout 4, along with a limited number of cloud gaming hours each month. It is best viewed as a bonus for existing subscribers rather than a reason to subscribe to Discord Nitro or Meta Horizon+ on its own.
How Much Does Xbox Game Pass Cost Per Year?
Microsoft does not sell most tiers as a standard 12-month plan, but knowing the annualized cost helps with budgeting.
- Essential: about $119.88 a year
- Premium: about $179.88 a year
- PC Game Pass: about $167.88 a year
- Ultimate: about $275.88 a year
These figures are based on twelve regular monthly charges, not a discounted annual product.
Retailers occasionally sell prepaid codes or run promotional bundles, but those deals vary by region and should be checked individually. Do not treat an introductory trial price as your actual ongoing cost.
Which Xbox Game Pass Plan Is the Best Value?
The platform you currently own can also affect how you look at the value of Game Pass.
For example, someone using an older PlayStation 4 may start considering an Xbox if the console is becoming unreliable or no longer meets their gaming needs.
The following important points can help you make a decision:
- Casual console player: Essential covers online multiplayer and occasional discounts at the lowest paid price.
- Regular console player: Premium adds cloud access and a larger library without the jump to Ultimate.
- PC-only player: PC Game Pass gives you the full PC library without paying for console features you won’t use, making it a good fit if you mainly play PC games such as Minecraft.
- Multi-platform or day-one player: Ultimate makes the most sense if you play across console, PC, and cloud or want broad access to new first-party releases.
Matching the plan to your actual gaming habits is the easiest way to avoid paying for features you do not need.
Final Thoughts
Xbox Game Pass costs $9.99 to $22.99 per month, depending on the plan you choose. Essential is the cheapest paid option, while PC Game Pass suits PC players and Ultimate offers the broadest access.
Starter Edition is also available as a free perk for eligible subscribers. I’d choose based on where you actually play and which features you use most, rather than paying for a higher tier you may not need.
People Also Ask
Microsoft does not sell a standard 12-month Xbox Game Pass plan for most tiers. You can only subscribe month-to-month, though some retailers occasionally offer prepaid multi-month codes as limited promotions.
No. As of April 2026, new Call of Duty titles no longer launch on Game Pass on release day, even for Ultimate subscribers.
Yes, through the Starter Edition, which is bundled free with an existing Discord Nitro or Meta Horizon+ subscription. It offers a smaller game library than the paid tiers.
PC Game Pass is usually the better value, since it covers the full PC library at a lower price than Ultimate without console-only features.
There is no widely available official family plan, but the Home Xbox feature lets anyone signed into your home console use your Game Pass library for free
