Xbox Game Pass, in short, is a monthly subscription-based gaming pass that comes in multiple tiers and gives you access to hundreds of games across console, PC, and cloud. And yeah, it kind of flips the whole “buy every game” idea on its head. If you have not checked in on the service recently, a lot has changed. This Xbox Game Pass guide will help you learn everything you need to know.
Everything you need to know about Xbox Game Pass
What Exactly Can You Expect Out of Xbox Game Pass?
If you have paid for and used media streaming platforms like Prime Video or Netflix, it’s similar, but this one is for games. Rather than paying a high price for something big, you just pay one monthly fee and jump into a huge, constantly changing library.
Here, we’re talking everything from day-one releases, like Minecraft Dungeons II, which is coming this fall, to smaller indie picks you probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise. Stuff like Call of Duty sitting right next to something like Hollow Knight. That mix is kind of the whole point.
That said, Game Pass in 2026 looks very different from what it used to be. In October 2025, Microsoft overhauled the pricing, rebranding tiers, shifting features, and pushing Game Pass Ultimate’s price up 50% from $19.99 to $29.99 per month. A recent report also claims that Microsoft might be adjusting Xbox Game Pass pricing once again.
What are the different Tiers of Xbox Game Pass?
There are four plans right now, each designed for a different type of player.
- Xbox Game Pass Essential at $9.99 per month is the entry-level tier. It covers online console multiplayer, around 50 games on console and PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming access, and member discounts in the Microsoft Store. Day one titles, EA Play, Ubisoft Plus Classics, and Call of Duty are not included. This Xbox Game Pass plan is best for players who stick to a few multiplayer games and want the lowest cost option.
- Xbox Game Pass Premium at $14.99 per month steps things up with 200+ games across console, PC, and cloud. New Xbox-published titles join the library within 12 months of launch, though Call of Duty is excluded even on that delayed basis. EA Play and day one access are still not part of this tier. For players who want a large library across platforms without paying the highest price, this is the best value of the four tiers.
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $29.99 per month is where you get the full package. You get 400+ games, day one first-party releases including Call of Duty, EA Play, Ubisoft Plus Classics, Fortnite Crew, and Xbox Cloud Gaming at up to 1440p with priority queue access. Microsoft has committed to 75-plus day one launches per year on this tier. The price is steep compared to what Ultimate used to cost, but frequent players who use all the bundled perks will find the value adds up quickly.
- PC Game Pass at $16.49 per month is built for Windows-only players. You get the full 400+ game library, day one titles including Call of Duty, EA Play, and Ubisoft Plus Classics. There is no console access, no Xbox Cloud Gaming on mobile or TV, and no Fortnite Crew. For PC-only gamers, it gives you most of what Ultimate offers at roughly half the price, making it one of the strongest deals in gaming subscriptions right now.
Image credit: Microsoft
How Do Games Come and Go From Xbox Game Pass?
This is something every Xbox Game Pass subscriber should understand. All Microsoft first-party titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard remain permanently on the service, with rare exceptions related to licensing issues. However, third-party games usually rotate out following predictable patterns, with monthly removal typically ranging from 5 to 12 games.
The good news for you is that Xbox Game Pass additions consistently outpace departures. It’s important to note that Microsoft usually gives advance notice before a game leaves, and subscribers get exclusive discounts to purchase departing titles if they want to keep them. Your save data stays safe through Xbox cloud saves even if you unsubscribe.
Do You Need an Xbox Game Pass Subscription for Xbox Play Anywhere?
Xbox Play Anywhere is a feature that gives you dual ownership of a game on both Xbox consoles and PC through a single purchase or subscription. In short, there is no additional cost for Xbox Play Anywhere. When you own a digital game that supports Xbox Play Anywhere, the ability to play on your Xbox console, Windows 10/11 PC, and supported gaming handheld device is included at no additional charge. If you start a game on your Xbox and want to continue on PC or a handheld like the ROG Xbox Ally, your save carries over seamlessly.
Image credit: Microsoft
Does Xbox Game Pass Work on PC?
Yes, through the Xbox app on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Xbox app now lets subscribers launch games directly from the cloud without installing them locally. If you use NVIDIA GeForce Now, you can also link your PC Game Pass account to stream your library through that service on top of Microsoft’s own cloud infrastructure.
Does Xbox Game Pass Have a Family Plan?
No, it’s not available right now. Microsoft reportedly tested the Friends and Family plan in limited markets from September 2022 through August 2023. At the time, it cost roughly $21.99 per month for up to five users. However, the company discontinued it without a wider launch. At the time, Phil Spencer reportedly acknowledged the plan remains on the roadmap. Well, in early 2026, Phil Spencer retired from the company. As of now, there’s no word on the relaunch of such a plan.
Image credit: Microsoft
How to Buy or Cancel an Xbox Game Pass Subscription?
You can sign up directly on your Xbox console through the Game Pass tab, or online at xbox.com. To cancel, go to My Microsoft Account on xbox.com and end your subscription before the next billing date. You can also check our dedicated guide to cancel Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. For PC players, we have another guide that talks about canceling Game Pass on PC. You will keep full access until the end of your current paid period, and your saved data remains even after cancellation.
Which Xbox Game Pass Plan is the Best for You?
If you only play a couple of multiplayer games and want the lowest cost, the Essential at $9.99 is enough. Those looking for a large library across console and PC and can live without day one releases, Premium at $14.99 is the best value per dollar. If you game heavily, want every major release on launch day, including Call of Duty, and get value from EA Play and Ubisoft Plus Classics, Ultimate at $29.99 is worth it. If you only play on PC, PC Game Pass at $16.49 gives you almost everything Ultimate does at a much lower price.
How Do You Save Money on Game Pass?
Microsoft does not offer an official annual discount on any Game Pass tier. However, prepaid three-month or longer subscription codes from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and CDKeys can be applied to your account and often go on sale. The Microsoft Rewards program is also worth using. You can earn points through Bing searches, daily tasks, and playing Game Pass games, then redeem those points for Game Pass codes or Xbox gift cards to effectively reduce your monthly cost.
Not to forget, you can also check our guide on different ways to get Xbox Game Pass for free. Just in case you are looking to gift an Xbox Game Pass to your family and friends, here’s another guide worth checking.
What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you play games anywhere you have a compatible internet-connected device. It works across phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and web browsers, streaming games directly from Microsoft’s servers so you can jump in without downloading or installing anything.
Xbox Cloud runs on servers built around Xbox Series X hardware, meaning you are effectively streaming from the most powerful console specs available. It is included in Essential, Premium, and Ultimate but not in PC Game Pass. Queue times vary by tier, with Ultimate getting priority access and the best streaming quality at 1440p.
Image credit: Microsoft
Cloud Gaming is also a smart way to test a game before committing to a large download. If you are an Ultimate subscriber and unsure about a title, streaming it for 15 minutes costs you nothing and saves potentially hours of download time.
FAQs related to Xbox Game Pass
Does Xbox Game Pass include online multiplayer?
Yes. Essential, Premium, and Ultimate all include online console multiplayer. On PC, multiplayer is generally free through the game’s own servers, so it is not a feature you need Game Pass to unlock there.
Can I keep my games if I cancel my Xbox Game Pass subscription?
No. You lose access to Game Pass titles the moment your subscription ends. You can buy games at a subscriber discount before cancelling, and your save data is preserved through Xbox cloud saves.
Do all Game Pass games support cross-save between Xbox and PC?
Most first-party titles do through Xbox Play Anywhere. Some games use their own systems. Not every third-party title in the library supports cross-save.
Is Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, major Call of Duty titles are available on Game Pass, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7. These are available on day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
Can I stream Game Pass games on my phone or TV?
Yes, through Xbox Cloud Gaming on Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. It works on Android phones, supported smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, tablets, and web browsers on most devices.
