As of October 2026, Xbox Game Pass costs $9.99 a month for Essential, $14.99 a month for Premium and $22.99 a month for Ultimate in the US. PC Game Pass, the PC only plan, is $13.99 a month.
Game Pass now comes in four plans, and the gap between them is bigger than the prices suggest. These are the four plans and prices on Xbox's own US Game Pass page, plus how many games each includes and the refund rule that can save you a month's charge.
Xbox Game Pass plans and prices
| Plan | Price a month | Games | Where you play | Cloud playtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99 | 50+ | Console, PC and more devices | 5 hours a month |
| Premium | $14.99 | 200+ | Console, PC and more devices | 10 hours a month |
| Ultimate | $22.99 | 500+ | Console, PC and more devices | 15 hours a month |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99 | 300+ | PC only | Not listed |
Xbox's page shows every plan with a first 14 days for $1 offer before the monthly price starts. Each plan continues automatically until you cancel.
What each Game Pass plan adds
Essential
Essential is the entry plan. It gives you 50+ games, online console multiplayer, 5 hours a month of cloud playtime and in game benefits for titles like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone. If your main reason for paying is online play with friends, start here.
Premium
Premium raises the library to 200+ games and the cloud playtime to 10 hours a month. Xbox says new Xbox published games join Premium within 12 months of launch, not on day one.
Ultimate
Ultimate is the full package: 500+ games, new games on day one, EA Play, Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics, plus 15 hours a month of cloud playtime. Xbox also says that with Ultimate you can earn up to $100 a year in the Store through Rewards.
PC Game Pass
PC Game Pass is for people who only play on a computer. It includes 300+ PC games, new games on day one and EA Play, but no console play.
Day one games: the real difference
If you buy big new releases, this is the line to read carefully. Xbox says Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play new games, including new Xbox published games and third party games, on the day they're released. Premium gets new Xbox published games within 12 months instead. Essential doesn't list new releases at all.
So if you'd otherwise buy a couple of new games at full price each year, the extra for Ultimate or PC Game Pass may cover itself. If you're happy playing older titles, Premium is the better value.
The refund rule worth knowing
Xbox says recurring billing is switched on by default, so you'll pay for a new period automatically when the current one ends. But its FAQ adds something most players don't know: if you didn't want to be charged and forgot to switch recurring billing off, you're still entitled to a refund of your most recent recurring charge if you cancel within 30 days after payment.
Xbox says that refund right is limited to one time per Microsoft account, per subscription product, and you request it through Xbox Support. Keep it for a real mistake, as you can't use it every month.
Rewards points add a little back
Every Game Pass plan earns Microsoft Rewards points, but the rate rises with the plan. Xbox's page lists Rewards points on Essential, 2x Rewards points on Premium and PC Game Pass, and 4x Rewards points on Ultimate. It's not a reason to pick a plan on its own, but if you're torn between two tiers, it tips the value towards the higher one.
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Game Pass or PlayStation Plus?
PlayStation's US page lists PlayStation Plus Essential at $10.99 a month, Extra at $16.99 and Premium at $19.99. The entry tiers are close in price. The difference is at the top: Game Pass Ultimate's selling point is new games on day one, while PlayStation Plus Premium focuses on classics, game trials and cloud streaming.
How to choose your Game Pass plan
- If you only play on PC, compare PC Game Pass with Ultimate. PC Game Pass is cheaper and still gets day one games.
- If you mainly want online console multiplayer, start with Essential.
- If you want a big library but don't need new releases on day one, pick Premium.
- If you buy new games at launch or want EA Play and Fortnite Crew, go for Ultimate.
- Switch recurring billing off in your Microsoft account if you only want one month.
Not sure where to start once you're in? My guide to the Game Pass games worth starting first helps, and if you're still choosing hardware, read PS5 vs Xbox Series X.
My verdict
For most console players, Premium at $14.99 a month is the sensible middle ground: a big library and online play without paying for day one access. If you buy new releases at launch, Ultimate at $22.99 earns its price through day one games and the bundled extras. PC only players should pick PC Game Pass at $13.99. And if a renewal ever catches you out, use the one time refund rule within 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Xbox Game Pass a month?
As of October 2026, Xbox lists Game Pass Essential at $9.99 a month, Premium at $14.99, Ultimate at $22.99 and PC Game Pass at $13.99.
How much is Game Pass Ultimate?
Game Pass Ultimate is $22.99 a month in the US, with 500+ games and new games on day one.
Does Game Pass Premium get new games on day one?
No. Xbox says new Xbox published games join Premium within 12 months of launch. Day one games are on Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Can I get a refund on Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox says you can get a refund of your most recent recurring charge if you cancel within 30 days after payment, once per Microsoft account per subscription product.
Is there a cheap Game Pass trial?
Xbox's page shows a first 14 days for $1 offer on each plan before the monthly price applies.
Which Game Pass plan is for PC?
PC Game Pass, at $13.99 a month, with 300+ PC games, day one games and EA Play.
