Xbox Game Pass has become a go-to for gamers, offering access to major new releases like Black Ops 6 and Oblivion Remastered on launch day for both Xbox consoles and PC. For a single monthly fee, you unlock an expansive library filled with everything from massive 100-hour RPGs and relaxing farming simulators to intense cinematic adventures and strategic shooters.
But what exactly does this cost? In 2023, Xbox retired its Gold Membership, shifting its full attention to Xbox Game Pass as its primary subscription offering. The features of Gold were integrated into Game Pass, leading Microsoft to introduce more specialized plans designed to cater to individual preferences within Xbox’s online services. Following a “Standard” Game Pass tier launch in 2024 and previous price adjustments, 2025 brings yet another series of price increases. To soften the blow, these changes are accompanied by what Xbox describes as “new benefits” to enhance the overall value.
Let’s dive into each of the current Game Pass membership plans to help you understand the options and start playing without any confusion.
Exploring the Xbox Game Pass Plans
Currently, Xbox Game Pass offers four distinct subscription plans. What were once called Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Game Pass Standard have been rebranded to Xbox Game Pass Essential and Xbox Game Pass Premium, respectively. These changes, along with increased prices for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, were announced in October 2025, taking effect for existing subscribers in November.
We’ll break down each plan’s features, limitations, and costs, helping you determine which option best suits your gaming style. Remember that some plans are tailored for specific platforms, so choose carefully based on where you prefer to play.
Is There a Free Trial for Game Pass?
Not exactly a free one anymore. The updated Xbox Game Pass Premium plan includes a 14-day trial for just $1, which is a significant change from the truly free trials Microsoft previously offered, seemingly phased out around the release of Black Ops 6. However, you might still find one-month Game Pass Ultimate trials available as part of select purchases from retailers like Best Buy.
Xbox Game Pass: Plans and Latest Pricing (October 2025)
Xbox Game Pass Essential (PC, Xbox Consoles, Cloud Streaming) – $9.99/month
- Enjoy online console multiplayer for all your games.
- Dive into a curated collection of over 50 console games, all included at no extra cost.
- Receive exclusive deals and discounts on games, plus in-game benefits for popular titles like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone.
- Accumulate up to $25 annually in Xbox Store Rewards.
Xbox Game Pass Premium (PC, Xbox Consoles, Cloud Streaming) – $14.99/month
- Access online console multiplayer for all games.
- Explore a library of over 200 games playable on Xbox Consoles and PC.
- Get new Xbox-published games within 12 months of their original launch.
- Experience enhanced Cloud Streaming quality.
- Benefit from extra deals, discounts, and in-game perks for games like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone.
- Earn up to $50 annually in Xbox Store Rewards.
PC Game Pass (PC Platforms) – $16.49/month
- Unlock the extensive Game Pass library specifically for PC.
- Play brand-new games the very day they are released.
- Receive additional deals and discounts on games, including perks in games like League of Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone.
- An EA Play Membership is automatically included with this plan.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (PC, Xbox Consoles, Cloud Streaming) – $29.99/month
- Gain online console multiplayer for all games.
- Enjoy complete access to the entire Game Pass library across consoles, PC, and Cloud gaming devices.
- Play over 75 new games on their release day each year.
- Benefit from the absolute highest quality Cloud Streaming available.
- Receive exclusive deals, discounts, and in-game perks for titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and League of Legends.
- Includes memberships for EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.
- A Fortnite Crew Membership will also be included, starting in November.
A Closer Look at Each Xbox Game Pass Plan
Xbox Game Pass Essential – $9.99/month
Serving as the successor to Xbox Live Gold Membership and the former Xbox Game Pass Core, Game Pass Essential provides the fundamental online multiplayer services for your Xbox. Your subscription grants you access to Xbox’s online multiplayer features, along with various member-exclusive discounts and special offers.
While the Essential plan doesn’t include the entire Game Pass library for free downloads, it does give you access to a selection of over 50 games. This plan has not been impacted by the most recent price increases, and its included games can now be enjoyed on your Xbox console, PC, and other compatible devices. Additionally, subscribers receive in-game benefits for popular titles like League of Legends and up to $25 in Store Rewards annually.
This plan is ideal if your main priority is online multiplayer gaming with friends and you’re not overly concerned with having a vast, constantly updated game library.
Xbox Game Pass Premium – $14.99/month
This “middle-ground” tier, previously known as Game Pass Standard, has undergone several revisions. It offers a more extensive experience than Essential but with some key differences from the top-tier Ultimate plan.
With partial access to the Xbox Game Pass library, you can play over 200 games, featuring popular titles like Starfield, Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo Infinite, Diablo IV, and Sea of Thieves. This game collection is regularly refreshed, though Premium access to new releases is now more restricted. A notable distinction from the Ultimate plan is that new Xbox-published games will become available to Premium subscribers “within 12 months of launch” rather than on Day One.
The Xbox Game Pass Premium plan is perfectly suited for those seeking a broader monthly game library who aren’t in a hurry for immediate Day One access to every new release.
PC Game Pass – $16.49/month
Designed for PC gamers, this plan provides access to the dedicated Game Pass library for computer platforms. The price for this plan has recently increased to $16.49 per month (up from $11.99). It unlocks the PC Game Pass library and includes an EA Play Membership, allowing you to download titles like Fifa 23, Madden 23, The Sims 4, and Need for Speed: Unbound.
While the PC and console game libraries are largely similar, it’s worth noting a few titles remain console-exclusive, such as Grand Theft Auto 5, UFC 4, the Fable series, and Skate 3. Unlike other tiers, PC Game Pass subscribers now receive access to new Xbox-published games on their launch day. Since playing online on PC is generally free, this plan focuses purely on expanding your game library without additional console-specific multiplayer perks.
This plan is an excellent choice for PC-exclusive players looking to expand their game collection with Xbox exclusives and major third-party titles.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $29.99/month
The most comprehensive (and expensive) option, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, integrates all features from the other plans, plus a range of additional perks. Following a significant 50% price increase from $19.99 to $29.99 per month, Microsoft is emphasizing these extra benefits to justify the higher cost, partly by adjusting the offerings in lower tiers.
Subscribing to Ultimate gives you full access to online console multiplayer and the complete console and PC Game Pass libraries, boasting over 500 games with new additions monthly. Crucially, Ultimate members get access to all new Xbox-published games on their launch day – a feature that was previously more widely available but has since been concentrated in this tier. In light of the recent pricing changes, Xbox has confirmed over 45 new games are now available on the service, with a promise of 75+ “Day One” releases annually for Ultimate members, including all first-party Xbox titles.
Beyond the core Game Pass library, Ultimate includes an EA Play membership, a new collection of Ubisoft+ classics, and a Fortnite Crew membership starting in November. It also delivers the “highest quality” Cloud Streaming experience for gaming on the go.
For additional Xbox insights and updates, explore our recent overview of Xbox’s latest business announcements, which revealed details about a confirmed next-generation console. You can also consult our curated list of the best Xbox Series X and S games available today, many of which are included with Game Pass subscriptions.
Alternatively, if you’re considering ending your Game Pass subscription, we also have a guide to the best free Xbox games that require no subscription at all.