What you get with each Xbox subscription

Microsoft offers two main subscriptions for Xbox players: Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. They cover different things, and you may need one, both, or neither depending on how you play.

Xbox Game Pass is a library subscription. You pay a monthly fee and get access to hundreds of games you can download and play on your console or PC. Games rotate in and out — Microsoft adds new titles regularly and removes others. You lose access to a game if it leaves the service, though you can often buy it at a discount before that happens.

Xbox Live Gold is a multiplayer subscription. It lets you play online against other people on Xbox consoles. If you only play single-player games or games that don't require a subscription to play online (like Fortnite or Apex Legends), you don't need it. If you want to play Call of Duty multiplayer, Halo, or most other online games, you do.

A third option, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, bundles Game Pass for console, Game Pass for PC, Xbox Live Gold, and Xbox Cloud Gaming all together. It costs more than Game Pass alone but less than buying them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox Game Pass gives you access to a rotating library of hundreds of games for a monthly fee, but you lose access if a game leaves the service.
  • Xbox Live Gold is required to play online multiplayer on Xbox consoles, but not for free-to-play games or single-player titles.
  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combines Game Pass, Live Gold, and cloud gaming into one subscription at a middle price point.
  • Game Pass for PC works only on Windows computers and includes a different library than the console version, though there is overlap.
  • Prices vary by region and subscription length, and Microsoft occasionally runs promotional rates for new members.

Xbox Game Pass: the game library subscription

Game Pass works like a video rental service for games. You download titles to your console or PC and play them as long as your subscription is active. The library includes older games, recent releases, and day-one access to new Microsoft-published games like Starfield or Forza Motorsport.

The catch is that games leave the service. Microsoft typically gives you advance notice — usually a month or more — before removing a title. When a game is about to leave, you often get a discount code to buy it permanently if you want to keep playing after it's removed. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you're not using it, rather than canceling and losing your subscription history.

Game Pass comes in two versions: one for Xbox consoles and one for PC. They have different libraries, though many games appear on both. If you want both, you need both subscriptions, or you can get Game Pass Ultimate, which includes both.

Xbox Live Gold: the online multiplayer subscription

Live Gold is purely for online multiplayer. It does not give you games or cloud storage — it just lets you connect to Xbox's servers to play against other people. If a game supports online play and requires a subscription, you need Live Gold to use that feature on an Xbox console.

Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone do not require Live Gold. Single-player games do not require it. Games that use your own internet connection to host a private match (rare on modern consoles) do not require it. But if you want to join a public multiplayer match in most games, you need the subscription active.

Live Gold also includes two free games per month that you can download and keep permanently, even if your subscription lapses. These are usually older or smaller titles, not new releases.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: the bundled option

Game Pass Ultimate combines Game Pass for console, Game Pass for PC, Xbox Live Gold, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (the ability to play certain games through the internet without downloading them). It costs more per month than Game Pass alone, but less than paying for each piece separately.

Cloud Gaming is the main extra feature. It lets you stream games to your phone, tablet, or web browser instead of downloading them to a console. This is useful if you travel, want to play on a device you don't own, or have limited storage space. Not all games in the Game Pass library support cloud play — Microsoft maintains a list of which ones do.

Ultimate is the most complete option if you play both console and PC games, want online multiplayer, and are interested in trying cloud gaming. If you only play console games and do not care about cloud streaming, regular Game Pass plus Live Gold might be cheaper depending on current pricing.

Pricing and payment options

Subscription prices vary by region and change over time. In the United States, Game Pass for console typically costs less per month than Game Pass Ultimate, which costs less than buying Game Pass console plus Live Gold separately. Exact amounts depend on whether you pay monthly or commit to a longer term.

Microsoft frequently offers promotional rates for new members — sometimes a first month at a reduced price or a free trial period. These deals change regularly and vary by region. If you are considering subscribing, checking the Xbox website for your country will show the current offer.

You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time through your Xbox account settings or the Microsoft website. Pausing is useful if you know you will not play for a few months but want to keep your subscription active later.

Game Pass library rotation and what happens to your games

Games in the Game Pass library are not permanent. Microsoft licenses them from publishers for a set period, then the license expires and the game is removed. This happens regularly — typically a few games leave each month, and new ones are added.

When a game is about to leave, you receive a notification in your Xbox dashboard and an email. You usually have at least 30 days' notice. During that time, you can buy the game at a discount (often 10 to 20 percent off) to keep it permanently. If you do not buy it and your subscription is active when it leaves, you can no longer play it.

If your subscription lapses and you do not renew it, you cannot play any Game Pass games, even ones you downloaded. Your save files are preserved in the cloud, so if you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off.

Cloud Gaming and playing on other devices

Xbox Cloud Gaming, included with Game Pass Ultimate, lets you stream games to phones, tablets, computers, and some Samsung smart TVs. You need a stable internet connection — Microsoft recommends at least 10 megabits per second for 1080p quality, or 35 megabits per second for 4K.

Not every game in the Game Pass library works on cloud. Microsoft publishes a list of cloud-compatible titles on the Xbox website. The selection changes as games are added and removed from the service. Cloud Gaming is still expanding, so the number of available titles grows over time.

Cloud Gaming is included with Game Pass Ultimate at no extra cost. You cannot buy it separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Xbox Live Gold if I only play single-player games?

No. Live Gold is only for online multiplayer. If you play story-driven games, puzzle games, or any title without an online component, you do not need it. You do need Game Pass if you want access to the game library, but that is separate from Live Gold.

Can I play free-to-play games like Fortnite without any subscription?

Yes. Free-to-play games do not require Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass. You can download them directly from the Xbox Store and play online for free. You may need a free Xbox account, but no paid subscription.

What happens to my games if I cancel Game Pass?

You lose access to all Game Pass games immediately. Your save files stay in the cloud, so if you resubscribe later, you can resume where you left off. Any games you purchased separately (not through Game Pass) remain yours permanently.

Is Game Pass Ultimate worth it if I only play on console?

It depends on whether you want cloud gaming. If you never plan to stream games to your phone or tablet, regular Game Pass for console plus Live Gold might cost less. Compare the current prices on the Xbox website for your region to see which option is cheaper.

Can I share my Game Pass subscription with family members?

Yes, through Xbox's family sharing feature. You can add up to five other people to your family group, and they can access your Game Pass library on shared consoles. Each person has their own save files and achievements. The feature works best when people play on the same console; sharing across different households has restrictions.