Xbox lowered the monthly price of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on April 21, 2026, but the service’s costs and benefits have shifted more than once. For your gaming budget, each price change can alter whether a subscription still fits. Day-one access means you can play a game through a subscription on the date it launches. The 2025 increases, plan differences, upcoming policy changes, and ways to judge value all matter when you choose what to keep. The right choice comes down to which games and subscription features you actually use.
Key Takeaways
- Ultimate and PC Game Pass became cheaper in April 2026.
- The current plans offer different games, devices, and release timing.
- Future Call of Duty games will arrive later on two plans.
- Cloud gaming hours will have monthly limits starting in November 2026.
- Your play habits can help show whether a lower tier fits.
- A Home Xbox lets other household members share benefits.
What the Xbox Game Pass Price Hike Means for Your Monthly Bill
As of April 21, 2026, Game Pass Ultimate costs $22.99 a month and PC Game Pass costs $13.99 a month in the US. Those current rates are below the 2025 peak, but the plans still cost more than some players paid before the increases. Ultimate remains above its $19.99 monthly price from before the 2025 increase.
Xbox Game Pass cost depends on the tier you choose. The two changed prices show the range: Ultimate is $22.99 monthly, while PC Game Pass is $13.99. For current plan details and game access, see this overview of Game Pass plans and games.
Three months of Ultimate at $22.99 per month totals $68.97 before taxes.
The $22.99 Game Pass Ultimate price answers how much Ultimate costs per month in the US. Your bill can change if you pick another tier, add a promotion, or have a different regional price.
In 2025, Ultimate climbed to $29.99 per month, a 50% increase. PC Game Pass rose to $16.49, an increase of more than a third. By the time of the 2025 change, Ultimate had risen nearly 77% since August 2024.
The later reductions came after Microsoft said it heard player feedback. Ultimate’s new price is below $29.99, though it has not returned to its earlier $19.99 rate. PC Game Pass also costs less than its 2025 peak.
Prices outside the US may differ, so your local amount can be higher or lower. The monthly rate also does not promise a lower annual price. Check current Xbox Store or retailer offers and their terms if you want a 12-month subscription.
Compare your account’s renewal amount with the games you expect to play next month. A special offer can end, and its renewal price may be different from the first payment. Check the renewal price shown on your account before deciding whether to keep the same plan.
What Each Xbox Game Pass Tier Includes
The four current plans range from $9.99 to $22.99 per month in the US, with PC Game Pass at $13.99. Each plan suits a different mix of devices and release timing, so more games does not always mean a better fit. Ultimate is the only listed tier that combines day-one releases with console, PC, and supported-device access.
Game Pass Core became Game Pass Essential, while Game Pass Standard became Game Pass Premium. The table compares each current plan’s library and main difference.
| Plan | US monthly price | Library size | Distinguishing inclusion or release timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Ultimate | $22.99 | 500+ games | Day-one games, EA Play, Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99 | 200+ games | Xbox-published games join within 1 year of launch |
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99 | 50+ games | Online console multiplayer |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99 | 300+ games | Day-one PC games and EA Play |
Microsoft’s Game Pass plan comparison also outlines subscription terms and features. Game availability can change by plan, region, platform, and time.
For Xbox Console Players: Essential, Premium or Ultimate
Ultimate suits console players who want day-one games and bundled extras. Its package includes EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and Ubisoft+ Classics alongside the game library.
Premium costs less each month and adds new Xbox-published games within a year of launch. It can fit players who accept a wait for those releases. Essential is the entry console tier, with 50+ games and online console multiplayer.
For PC Players: PC Game Pass or Ultimate
PC Game Pass includes 300+ games on PC, new games on day one, and EA Play. It gives PC players those benefits without Ultimate’s console and supported-device package.
Ultimate adds access across Xbox consoles, PC, and supported devices, plus its bundled extras. Game Pass Premium costs $14.99 per month, or $179.88 for twelve months at that monthly rate, before taxes. That total does not assume an annual discount.
Browse family-friendly console options if you are choosing a system for a household. Choose a plan by the games and devices you use, not by the largest library number alone.
What Changed for Call of Duty and Cloud Gaming?
New Call of Duty games are moving from day-one access to the following holiday season, about a year after launch. Existing titles already in the library remain available. The new timing applies to future releases, not every Call of Duty game in the catalog.
New Call of Duty Games Arrive Later
Beginning in 2026, future Call of Duty titles will not join Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. New games will arrive on those plans during the following holiday season, about one year later.
This change affects players who count on a subscription for a new release on launch day. Earlier Call of Duty games already in the library remain available, so the shift does not remove those titles.
Cloud Gaming Gets Monthly Hour Limits
Monthly cloud gaming limits begin in November 2026, not immediately. The allowance depends on the tier: Ultimate gets 15 hours, Premium gets 10, and Essential gets 5 hours each month.
- Ultimate subscribers receive 15 cloud gaming hours per month.
- Premium subscribers receive 10 cloud gaming hours per month.
- Essential subscribers receive 5 cloud gaming hours per month.
- Subscribers can buy more hours through the Xbox Store after using their allowance.
- Non-subscribers can buy hours to stream eligible owned games on supported devices.
Microsoft has not yet shared the price for extra hours. The company says cloud gaming costs rise as more people use it and play longer.
Microsoft says the limits will support continued availability and investment in reliability and performance. It expects the November 2026 rules to affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers. A guide to VPN speed and privacy explains how network conditions, server distance, and congestion can affect performance.
The hours are monthly allowances, and the policy does not say unused time rolls over. Before November 2026, check which cloud-enabled tier you have and how often you stream games.
Is Game Pass Still Worth the Price?
Ultimate makes the strongest budget case for players who regularly use its bundled benefits and play a wide range of included games. Regular use matters more than the library’s headline size. If you rarely play the included games or use the extras, a lower tier may suit you better.
When Ultimate Earns Its Higher Monthly Cost
Ultimate can work well if you play new releases through day-one access and also use EA Play, Fortnite Crew, or Ubisoft+ Classics. Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ together would cost nearly $20 per month if bought separately.
That comparison helps only if you want both services. Paying for a bundle you do not use can still cost more than choosing a smaller plan. An average Ultimate subscriber would spend $550 to buy all the games they play in a year.
One way to judge value is to check whether the included games replace purchases you would make. If you play a few titles briefly, owning those games or choosing a monthly game bundle may fit better. This comparison of game bundle and retailer deals offers another way to weigh recurring costs.
Pay for the games and extras you use, not the full bundle just because it includes more.
US spending on game subscriptions rose 19% in January through July 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Revenue from those subscriptions grew 21% year over year in July 2025.
That growth includes subscription services such as PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online. It shows that game subscriptions are attracting spending, but it does not prove that any one plan is a good deal for you.
When Premium or Essential Is Enough
Premium or Essential can be a cheaper way to get Game Pass if day-one releases and bundled extras do not justify Ultimate’s higher cost. Players focused on catalog games may be fine with a smaller library.
Essential may also fit if online console multiplayer is the main feature you need. Use these questions to check what matters to your play:
- How many included games do you actually play?
- Do day-one releases matter to you?
- Do you need online console multiplayer?
Answering honestly can make the choice clearer than comparing library counts alone. A lower price is useful only when the plan still covers the features you use.
Sharing at Home and on Another Xbox
Game Pass benefits can be shared at home through a Home Xbox, but this is not a separate family plan. Set your primary console as your Home Xbox, and anyone signed in with their profile can use the subscription benefits there.
On another Xbox console, you can share benefits with everyone while you are signed in. The two rules differ: the Home Xbox supports household access, while the other console needs your active sign-in.
Review your play history before renewal and downgrade if the features you pay for rarely make it into your sessions.
Conclusion
The April 2026 reductions ease the bill, but they do not make every tier the right fit for every player. Ultimate and PC Game Pass now cost less than their 2025 peaks. Your best fit still depends on how often you play the included games and use each plan’s features.
Check your renewal date and plan in your account settings, then compare them with your recent play activity. If a benefit has sat unused for months, a lower tier may leave more room in your gaming budget. Check your next renewal and choose the plan that matches the games you genuinely expect to play.
FAQ
Why did Xbox Game Pass prices go up?
Microsoft paired the 2025 price increases with expanded plan benefits, then lowered two prices in April 2026 after player feedback. The changes mean your current renewal amount may differ from an earlier bill. Check the price attached to your account and the plan features you use before keeping the same subscription.
How much does Xbox Game Pass cost in the US?
The US monthly prices are $22.99 for Ultimate, $13.99 for PC Game Pass, $14.99 for Premium, and $9.99 for Essential. Each tier has a different mix of games and features. Your bill may also reflect a promotion or a price in another region, so check the rate shown for your account.
Can I buy a 12 month Xbox Game Pass?
Prepaid offers and eligible plans can vary, so a 12-month option may be available at some times or from some retailers. Do not assume the monthly rate includes an annual discount. Read the current Xbox Store or retailer terms before buying, including the renewal price and any limits on the offer.
Can you still get Xbox Live for $60 a year?
No, Xbox Live Gold is no longer the current tier name, and its old annual price should not be assumed to apply. Game Pass Essential is the current entry console tier and costs $9.99 per month. That monthly price adds up to $119.88 over twelve months before taxes, unless an offer changes the total.
Is there a cheaper way to get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Yes, Premium costs $14.99 per month and Essential costs $9.99 per month, but neither has Ultimate’s full set of benefits. Premium includes a larger catalog than Essential and adds Xbox-published games within a year of launch. Pick a lower tier only if its games and features cover what you plan to use.
Is Game Pass worth the money?
Game Pass is worth the money when the games and features you use match or exceed the plan’s monthly cost. An average Ultimate subscriber would spend $550 to buy the games they play in a year. Your own value depends on which included games you actually play, not on the full library count.
Can I share Game Pass with family?
Yes, you can share Game Pass benefits at home through a Home Xbox, but that is not a separate family plan. Anyone using their own profile on that designated console can use the subscription benefits. On another Xbox, you must stay signed in for others to use the benefits.
How can I get an Xbox Game Pass for free?
You can get it free only through an eligible trial or promotion when one is available. Offers may have limits on who can use them or how long they last. Before activating a trial, read its renewal terms and note when paid billing begins, so you can decide whether to keep it.
