Xbox Game Pass: Complete Guide to Plans, Prices & Games (2026)

• Xbox Game Pass has four main tiers: Essential ($9.99/mo), Premium ($14.99/mo), PC Game Pass ($13.99/mo), and Ultimate ($22.99/mo).
• Ultimate was cut from $29.99 to $22.99 in April 2026, but new Call of Duty titles no longer launch on the service day one.
• Ultimate includes 500+ games, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, and unlimited cloud gaming.
• A new Starter Edition (50+ games, 10 hrs cloud/month) is available as a free perk inside an existing Discord Nitro subscription.
• Games rotate — titles leave the library, so finish what you want before they go.
• You can play on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and via cloud streaming on mobile, tablet, and smart TV.

Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s gaming subscription service — and in 2026, it is going through one of the biggest shake-ups in its history. Whether you are new to the service or trying to figure out which plan to stick with after the recent price and tier changes, this guide covers everything. We break down every tier, what you actually get, how the pricing compares, and how to make the most of your subscription.

What Is Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass gives you access to a library of games for a fixed monthly fee. Instead of buying games one by one, you pay a subscription and get hundreds of titles to download or stream whenever you want. Think of it like Netflix, but for games.

The service launched in 2017 at $10 a month. Since then, it has grown into a multi-tier ecosystem covering Xbox consoles, Windows PCs, and cloud streaming on mobile and browser. Microsoft’s own first-party studios — Bethesda, 343 Industries, Playground Games, and others — release their games into the service on day one, which is one of the biggest draws for subscribers.

Xbox Game Pass Tiers: All Plans Explained

As of 2026, there are five Game Pass options. Here is a clear breakdown of each one.

Game Pass Starter Edition — Free Inside Discord Nitro

The Starter Edition is the newest version of Game Pass and is available exclusively as a free perk inside an existing Discord Nitro subscription. If you already pay for Discord Nitro ($9.99/mo or $99.99/yr), there is no extra charge — it is bundled in. It includes access to 50+ console and PC games, including Fallout 4 and Stardew Valley, plus 10 hours of cloud streaming per month.

This is a great entry point if you are already a Discord Nitro subscriber. You do not need a separate Microsoft billing setup — just link your accounts and go.

Game Pass Essential — $9.99/Month

Game Pass Essential, previously known as Xbox Game Pass Core, launched in September 2023. Unlike the higher tiers, it does not include new first-party games on launch day. Members can access titles like Fallout 76, Doom Eternal, and Gears 5. There is no cloud streaming on this tier.

Essential is the cheapest standalone tier. You get online multiplayer, a curated library of 50+ games, and member discounts. It is best for casual players who are not bothered about playing new Xbox releases on day one.

Game Pass Premium — $14.99/Month

Premium sits in the middle of the range. It offers a large rotating library, cloud gaming access, and is ideal for players who want more than Essential but do not need every day-one release. You get new Xbox-published games within a year of launch — with the exception of Call of Duty titles.

This is a solid option if you mainly game on console and you are happy to wait a while for big releases.

PC Game Pass — $13.99/Month

The PC Game Pass tier dropped from $16.49 to $13.99 per month as part of Microsoft’s April 2026 price adjustments. It includes day-one access to new Xbox-published PC titles. It is arguably the best value tier for PC-only gamers who want new releases without paying for Ultimate.

If you only game on Windows and want day-one access, this is your sweet spot.

Game Pass Ultimate — $22.99/Month

Game Pass Ultimate dropped from $29.99 to $22.99 a month starting 21 April 2026. It includes hundreds of games on Xbox console and PC, in-game benefits, online console multiplayer, and unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Ultimate offers a library of 500+ games playable across console and PC, as well as access to cloud streaming, and access to other memberships like EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew. This is the all-in option. It covers every platform and bundles in perks worth a significant amount on their own each month.

Xbox Game Pass Prices: Full Comparison Table

What Happened to the Game Pass Price and Tiers?

Game Pass went through a major restructuring in October 2025. Tier names changed, features moved between plans, and the Ultimate subscription saw a significant price increase at the time. The old Core tier became Essential, and the old Standard tier became Premium.

Then in April 2026, Microsoft reversed course. The price of Game Pass Ultimate was cut from $29.99 to $22.99 a month, effective immediately. PC Game Pass also dropped from $16.49 to $13.99. The shift was driven by new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, who had identified in an internal memo that Game Pass had become too expensive for too many players.

The Call of Duty Change: What It Means for You

This is the biggest change affecting subscribers right now.

New Call of Duty titles will no longer launch into Game Pass. Starting in 2026, new entries in the franchise will be added to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass approximately one year after release — typically during the following holiday season. Existing Call of Duty titles already in the library are staying put. Nothing is being removed retroactively.

Microsoft tied this change directly to the price reduction. The two announcements landed on the same day, 21 April 2026, and the official Xbox Wire post confirmed both in a single breath.

What this means in practice:

• If you are a casual gamer who is not chasing new CoD releases, the price drop to $22.99 is a straight win.
• If CoD day one matters to you, you will need to buy new titles separately — which adds cost back on top of your subscription.
• PC Game Pass subscribers are in the same boat from 2026 onwards.

What Games Are on Xbox Game Pass?

The library varies depending on your tier, but here is a general sense of what is available.

First-Party Xbox Games

One of the biggest selling points of Game Pass is Microsoft’s own studios. Ultimate subscribers get 75+ new games per year arriving on day one — that is Microsoft’s current confirmed commitment, not an estimate. These include titles from Bethesda (Starfield, Fallout series, The Elder Scrolls), 343 Industries (Halo), Playground Games (Forza Horizon), and The Coalition (Gears).

EA Play

Game Pass Ultimate bundles in EA Play, giving you access to a growing collection of EA’s titles. This includes games from the EA Sports FC series, Battlefield, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and more. EA Play also gives you early access trials of new EA games before they launch.

Ubisoft+ Classics

Ubisoft+ Classics is included with Game Pass Ultimate, giving you access to 50+ iconic Ubisoft games. This covers titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6, Watch Dogs: Legion, Rainbow Six Siege, and more.

Fortnite Crew

Fortnite Crew is bundled into Ultimate. A standalone Fortnite Crew subscription costs $11.99 a month, so this alone significantly offsets the net monthly cost of Ultimate when you factor it in alongside EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.

Third-Party and Indie Games

Beyond first-party content, Game Pass includes a wide range of third-party and indie titles. These rotate regularly — games come and go each month. You can check the full current library at xbox.com/game-pass/games.

Games Leaving Game Pass

This is important. Games do leave the library, usually with about two weeks’ notice. Microsoft shows an upcoming leaving soon list in the Game Pass app and on the Xbox website. Keep an eye on it so you do not miss your chance to finish a game before it goes.

If a game you own through Game Pass leaves the service, you can often purchase it at a member discount before it exits.

Xbox Cloud Gaming: Play Without a Console

Cloud gaming lets you stream games directly to your device without downloading them. Xbox Cloud Gaming now offers 1440p streaming and has exited beta, with improved performance across supported tiers.

You can stream on Android phones and tablets, iOS devices, web browsers, and select smart TVs. Ultimate subscribers get unlimited cloud streaming with the shortest wait times and best stream quality. Premium and PC Game Pass subscribers also get cloud access. Essential members do not have cloud gaming.

Cloud gaming is especially useful for playing on devices that cannot run games natively — like a low-spec laptop or a phone. It is also handy for starting a session quickly without waiting for a download.

For more on how cloud gaming works, read our guide to how Xbox Cloud Gaming works. If you want step-by-step instructions, check out our Xbox Cloud Gaming setup guide.

Which Xbox Game Pass Tier Should You Get?

Here is a simple breakdown to help you choose.

Get Essential If:

• You mainly play on Xbox console.
• You are not fussed about playing the latest releases on launch day.
• You want the cheapest standalone entry point.
• You game casually and just want a solid rotating library.

Get Premium If:

• You want access to a larger library than Essential.
• You are happy to wait up to a year for new Xbox games.
• You want cloud gaming access without paying for Ultimate.
• Budget matters and $22.99 feels too steep.

Get PC Game Pass If:

• You only game on Windows PC.
• You want day-one access to new Xbox releases on PC.
• You do not need console access or the Ultimate bundle perks.

Get Ultimate If:

• You play on both Xbox and PC.
• You want the full 500+ game library with day-one access.
• You want EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew included.
• You want unlimited cloud gaming on any device.
• You are not dependent on new Call of Duty at launch.

Is Xbox Game Pass Worth It in 2026?

The short answer: yes, for most gamers. But it depends on how you play.

If a new game costs around $70, playing just one day-one release every three months already equals roughly $23 per month in game value. When you factor in the size of the library, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew, the value case for Ultimate at $22.99 is strong for players who game regularly.

If you play fewer than 10 hours a month, the maths gets trickier. At that level, buying individual games on sale might cost you less over the year.

The Call of Duty change is the biggest sting for franchise fans. If CoD is your main game and you want it at launch, you will need to buy it separately — which adds cost on top of your subscription.

For a direct comparison with other options, see our article on Xbox Cloud Gaming vs Game Pass, and to find out what is free, read is Xbox Cloud Gaming free?

How to Sign Up for Xbox Game Pass

Signing up is straightforward. Here is how to get started:

1. Go to xbox.com/game-pass.
2. Choose your tier — Essential, Premium, PC Game Pass, or Ultimate.
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account or create one for free.
4. Add a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal).
5. Confirm your subscription and start downloading or streaming games.

For a full walkthrough, see our getting started with Xbox Game Pass guide.

Xbox Game Pass Free Trial: Can You Try It First?

Free trial codes exist and are distributed through official Microsoft promotions and hardware bundles. Most official trials are limited to accounts that have never had Game Pass before. A payment method is required even for free trials — Microsoft will auto-charge when the trial ends unless you cancel.

The Premium tier occasionally offers a 14-day trial for $1, available for first-time users. This is the most reliable route to test the service without full commitment.

Check our dedicated article on the Xbox Game Pass free trial for the latest offers.

How to Cancel Xbox Game Pass

Cancelling is easy and can be done at any time. Here are the steps:

1. Go to account.microsoft.com/services.
2. Sign into your Microsoft account.
3. Find your Xbox Game Pass subscription and click Manage.
4. Select Cancel subscription or Turn off recurring billing.
5. Confirm your cancellation.

Your subscription will run until the end of the current paid period after cancellation. If you are on a free trial, cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged for the first full billing cycle. To request a refund, visit the Xbox Support website.

Xbox Game Pass Rewards

Ultimate subscribers can earn up to 100,000 Rewards points per year — enough to cover a month or two of subscription costs if redeemed carefully. Points are earned by playing games, completing quests in the Xbox app, and making purchases on the Microsoft Store.

Premium subscribers earn a smaller amount of Rewards points, and Essential members earn the base rate. You can redeem points for Microsoft Store credit and gift cards at microsoft.com/rewards.

Xbox Game Bar and Game Pass: How They Work Together

If you are using Game Pass on PC, Xbox Game Bar is your built-in overlay for monitoring performance, recording clips, and managing audio. It works alongside Game Pass titles seamlessly.

To get the most out of Game Pass on PC, it is worth setting up your Xbox Game Bar correctly. Start with our best Xbox Game Bar settings for PC guide. If you run into problems, we have fixes for common issues including Xbox Game Bar not opening, the performance widget not showing, and the record button being greyed out. You can also browse the full Xbox Game Bar shortcuts list to speed up your workflow.

For a full overview of everything Game Bar can do, visit our complete Xbox Game Bar guide.

How to Install or Update Xbox Game Pass

The Xbox app on PC is updated automatically through the Microsoft Store. If you are having trouble getting the latest version, our guide on how to install and update Xbox via the Microsoft Store walks you through the process step by step.

Frequently Asked Questions