As of October 2026, Apple Arcade costs $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year in the US. In the UK it's £6.99 a month or £49.99 a year, and one subscription can be shared with up to five family members.
Apple Arcade is Apple's game subscription: hundreds of games with no ads and no in-app purchases, for one price. Apple gives you three ways to pay, monthly, yearly or inside an Apple One bundle, and a couple of ways to get it free for a while. Here's what it costs in the US, UK, Australia and Canada, and which option works out best.
Apple Arcade price by country
| Country | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| US | $6.99 | $49.99 |
| UK | £6.99 | £49.99 |
| Australia | A$9.99 | A$79.99 |
| Canada | CA$8.99 | Not listed by Apple Canada |
Apple's FAQ in the US says Apple Arcade is $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year, and the UK and Australian pages list a monthly and a yearly price in local currency. If you know you'll play for most of the year, the annual price is the cheaper way to pay.
What you get for the price
Apple describes Apple Arcade as unlimited access to hundreds of premium games, with new releases, award winners and favourites from the App Store, all without ads or in-app purchases. That last part is the real selling point for parents: no surprise purchases and no ads.
- Game types include action, puzzle, strategy, adventure, simulation, board, card and sports.
- New games and content updates are added all the time, and there's a Coming Soon section in the Arcade tab.
- You can play on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K and Apple Vision Pro.
- You can connect a game controller for a console style feel.
- The Apple Games app brings your Arcade and App Store games together, with challenges, leaderboards and in-game events.
Where to find the games
Once you subscribe, Apple puts everything in the Arcade tab of the App Store and the Games app, on iPhone, iPad and Mac. You can also search either app for a specific Apple Arcade game, and the Coming Soon section previews upcoming releases. Apple says every game is handpicked to cover a wide variety of play styles and ages, so it's built for households with mixed tastes rather than one hardcore gamer.
The Games app also adds a social layer: you can see what friends and family are playing, join them in favourite games, and pick up challenges, leaderboards and in-game events. Apple says it recommends new games based on what you and your friends already play, which helps you find something new without scrolling through hundreds of titles.
Sharing Apple Arcade with family
Apple says that with Family Sharing, you can share your Apple Arcade subscription with up to five family members. That means one subscription can cover a whole household of players. Split across a family, the yearly price goes a long way.
How to get Apple Arcade free
- Buy an eligible Apple device: Apple says you can get 3 months of Apple Arcade free when you buy one. The offer isn't available if you or your family have already accepted an Apple Arcade three months free offer.
- Start a free trial: Apple's pages show Apple Arcade renewing at $6.99 a month after a free trial.
- Use Apple One: Apple Arcade is included in every Apple One bundle, alongside Apple Music, Apple TV and iCloud+.
If you already pay for Apple Music or iCloud storage, compare the Apple One bundle and what each plan includes before you pay for Arcade on its own. And for the trial routes in more detail, there's a full guide to the Apple Arcade free trial.
Can you play offline?
If you want games for flights and car journeys, check which titles work without a connection before you travel. There's a separate guide on playing Apple Arcade games offline if that's how your family will use it.
Monthly or yearly?
- Start with the free trial or the 3 free months from a new device.
- If the household is still playing by the end, switch to the yearly plan rather than paying monthly.
- Turn on Family Sharing so up to five family members can play on the same subscription.
- If you'd pay for two or more Apple services anyway, check Apple One instead.
- If interest fades, turn off auto renewal before your next billing date.
How Apple Arcade compares with console subscriptions
Apple Arcade isn't trying to be a console service. It's built for Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K and Apple Vision Pro. If your household plays on a console, compare the Xbox Game Pass tiers or PlayStation Plus instead, because Arcade doesn't run there.
My verdict
At $49.99 a year shared across up to five family members, Apple Arcade is good value for families with iPhones and iPads, especially if you want games without ads or in-app purchases. Claim the free months from a new device first, then pay yearly if everyone's still playing. If you're the only player and only dip in now and then, the monthly plan for a month at a time is the more sensible spend.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is Apple Arcade?
As of October 2026, Apple Arcade is $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year in the US.
How much is Apple Arcade in the UK?
Apple lists Apple Arcade at £6.99 a month or £49.99 a year in the UK.
How much is Apple Arcade in Australia?
Apple Australia lists Apple Arcade at A$9.99 a month or A$79.99 a year.
Can I share Apple Arcade with family?
Yes. With Family Sharing, you can share your subscription with up to five family members.
Do Apple Arcade games have ads or in-app purchases?
No. Apple says Apple Arcade games come without ads or in-app purchases.
Can I get Apple Arcade free with a new iPhone?
Apple says you can get 3 months of Apple Arcade free when you buy an eligible Apple device, unless you or your family have used that offer before.
How much is Apple Arcade in Canada?
Apple Canada lists Apple Arcade at CA$8.99 a month.
Is Apple Arcade included in Apple One?
Yes. Apple Arcade is part of every Apple One plan.
What devices can play Apple Arcade?
iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K and Apple Vision Pro.
