What You Get With Each Xbox Subscription
Xbox offers two main subscriptions: Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. They are separate services with different purposes, though you can buy them together.
Xbox Game Pass is a library of games you can download and play. The standard tier includes hundreds of titles across console, PC, and cloud gaming. A higher tier called Game Pass Ultimate adds Xbox Live Gold, day-one access to new Microsoft games, and cloud gaming on phones and tablets. You pay a monthly fee and keep access only while your subscription is active.
Xbox Live Gold is the online multiplayer service. It lets you play games online with other people, access exclusive discounts, and claim free games each month. You need it to play most multiplayer games on Xbox console, though some free-to-play games like Fortnite do not require it.
Key Takeaways
- Game Pass is a game library you rent monthly; Live Gold is the service that lets you play online multiplayer on Xbox console.
- Game Pass Ultimate bundles both services together and adds cloud gaming, so you can play on your phone or tablet without a console.
- You can buy Game Pass and Live Gold separately, or buy Game Pass Ultimate to get both in one subscription.
- Free-to-play games like Fortnite and Apex Legends do not require Live Gold to play online, but most other multiplayer games do.
- Prices vary by region and change periodically, so check the Xbox website for your current local cost.
Game Pass Tiers and What Each Includes
Game Pass comes in three versions. Game Pass for Console works only on Xbox console and costs less than the other two. Game Pass for PC works only on Windows PC. Game Pass Ultimate works on console, PC, and cloud, and includes Xbox Live Gold as part of the subscription.
All three tiers give you access to the same game library, though the library changes monthly as games are added and removed. When a game leaves the library, you lose access to it unless you own it outright. Microsoft adds new games regularly, including new releases from Microsoft Studios on the day they launch.
Game Pass Ultimate also includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, which means you can stream games to your phone, tablet, or web browser without downloading them. This requires an internet connection fast enough to stream video smoothly, typically 10 Mbps or higher for 1080p quality.
Xbox Live Gold and Online Multiplayer
Xbox Live Gold is required to play online multiplayer on Xbox console. This means if you want to play Call of Duty, Minecraft multiplayer, or Halo online with other people, you need an active Gold subscription. The subscription also gives you access to two free games each month that you can keep permanently, even after your subscription ends.
Gold subscribers also get exclusive discounts on games and add-ons in the Xbox Store. These discounts are typically 10 to 50 percent off, and they change weekly.
On PC, you do not need Xbox Live Gold to play multiplayer games online. PC games use different online systems, and most do not require any subscription to play multiplayer. This is one reason why Game Pass for PC costs less than Game Pass for Console.
How to Set Up and Manage Your Subscription
To start a subscription, you need a Microsoft account. You can create one free at account.microsoft.com. Once you have an account, you can buy a subscription through the Xbox app on console or PC, or through the Xbox website.
When you buy a subscription, you choose how long you want it for — usually one month or one year. The cost is charged to your payment method immediately. Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year unless you turn off auto-renewal.
You can manage your subscription anytime through your Microsoft account settings. You can pause it, cancel it, or change which tier you are on. If you cancel, you keep access until the end of your current billing period, then it stops.
Game Pass Library Changes and Removals
The Game Pass library is not permanent. Microsoft adds new games regularly but also removes older ones to make room. When a game is about to leave, you get a notification in the Xbox app usually two weeks before it goes. At that point, you can buy the game at a discount if you want to keep playing it after it leaves the library.
Games from Microsoft Studios (games made by Microsoft-owned companies) typically stay in the library longer than third-party games. But even Microsoft games eventually rotate out to make room for new releases.
You can see which games are leaving soon in the Xbox app under the Game Pass section. The app also shows you which games are new to the library each month.
Free-to-Play Games and What Subscriptions You Actually Need
Some popular games are free to download and play, and they do not require any subscription. Games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzone, and Rocket League let you play online multiplayer without Xbox Live Gold on console. You still need a free Microsoft account to play, but you do not need to pay for Gold.
These free-to-play games are not part of Game Pass — they are available to everyone whether or not you subscribe to anything. They make money through cosmetic purchases (skins, emotes, battle passes) rather than subscriptions.
If you want to play paid multiplayer games like Call of Duty or Halo online on console, you need Xbox Live Gold. But if you only play free-to-play games, you do not need any subscription beyond a free Microsoft account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both Game Pass and Live Gold?
Not necessarily. If you only want to play single-player games or free-to-play multiplayer games, Game Pass alone is enough. If you want to play online multiplayer in paid games on console, you need Live Gold. Game Pass Ultimate includes both, so you do not have to buy them separately.
Can I play Game Pass games on my phone?
Only with Game Pass Ultimate, which includes cloud gaming. With cloud gaming, you can stream games to your phone or tablet over the internet. Standard Game Pass for Console or PC does not include this feature.
What happens to my games if my subscription ends?
Games you downloaded through Game Pass become unplayable once your subscription ends. Games you bought outright stay yours. Free games you claimed through Live Gold stay yours permanently. If you resubscribe later, your Game Pass library opens again.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
Yes, through Xbox's family group feature. You can add up to five other people to your family group, and they can use your Game Pass and Live Gold subscriptions on their own accounts. Set this up in your Microsoft account settings under family options.
Is Game Pass worth the cost?
That depends on how many games you play and whether you would buy them otherwise. If you play a few games heavily, buying them outright might be cheaper. If you like trying many different games, the library access usually costs less than buying each game separately.