Xbox Game Pass Tiers Explained: Essential vs Premium vs Ultimate in 2026
Xbox Game Pass changed a lot in the last year. Microsoft rebuilt the tiers in October 2025, then cut the price of Ultimate and PC Game Pass in April 2026. This guide explains the four plans as they stand now, what each one includes and which one fits the way you play. If you own or are buying a console, our Xbox Series S guide covers price, storage and Series X vs Series S.
Game Pass Prices in the United States (2026)
| Plan | Price per month | Where you play |
|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99 | Console, PC and cloud |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99 | Console, PC and cloud |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $22.99 | Console, PC and cloud |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99 | PC only |
On April 21, 2026, Ultimate dropped from $29.99 to $22.99 and PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99. Existing subscribers move to the new price at their next billing date. Prices differ by country.
Game Pass Essential
Essential replaced the old Xbox Game Pass Core and Xbox Live Gold.
- Online multiplayer on Xbox consoles.
- A library of more than 50 games.
- Cloud gaming for games you own and the included library.
- Microsoft Rewards perks.
Game Pass Premium
Premium includes everything in Essential, plus:
- A larger library of more than 200 games.
- Games published by Xbox join Premium within about a year of their release. Call of Duty is not included in this rule.
Game Pass Ultimate
Ultimate includes everything in Premium, plus:
- Day one games: Xbox games and many games from other publishers on the day they launch.
- A library of more than 400 games.
- EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.
- Fortnite Crew.
- The best cloud gaming quality, with streaming up to 1440p.
Since April 2026, new Call of Duty games no longer join Ultimate or PC Game Pass on day one. They are expected to arrive about a year after launch, while existing Call of Duty games in the library stay.
PC Game Pass
PC Game Pass is for players who only play on a Windows PC. It includes a library of hundreds of PC games, day one Xbox releases on PC and EA Play. It does not include online multiplayer on Xbox consoles.
Which Game Pass Should You Get?
- Choose Essential if you mainly need online multiplayer for games you already own.
- Choose Premium if you like a big library but do not mind waiting for new Xbox games.
- Choose Ultimate if you want new releases on day one, EA Play and the best cloud streaming, or if you play on both Xbox and PC.
- Choose PC Game Pass if you only game on PC.
Tips Before You Subscribe
- Look at the game list on the Xbox app or Xbox website first, because games leave the service over time.
- Members get a discount when buying games that are in the library, so you can keep a game before it leaves.
- Check upgrade offers from Essential or Premium to Ultimate in the Xbox app, since the conversion terms changed in April 2026.
How to Change or Cancel Game Pass
- On the web, sign in at account.microsoft.com, open Subscriptions and choose Manage next to your Game Pass plan.
- On an Xbox, open Settings > Account > Subscriptions.
- Turning off recurring billing keeps your benefits until the end of the period you paid for.
Playing Game Pass on PC
PC games in Game Pass are installed through the Xbox app for Windows. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use for your subscription, then browse the Game Pass tab. EA Play games may also ask you to link an EA account the first time you play.
Game Pass vs PlayStation Plus
PlayStation also has three tiers with a game catalog and cloud streaming. See our comparison of PS Plus Essential, Extra and Premium for 2026 prices and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now?
$22.99 a month in the United States since April 21, 2026, down from $29.99.
Is Call of Duty on Game Pass on day one?
Not anymore. Since April 2026, new Call of Duty games join Ultimate and PC Game Pass about a year after release.
Do I need Game Pass to play online on Xbox?
For most paid games, yes. Game Pass Essential or higher includes online multiplayer. Free to play games such as Fortnite do not need it.
Does Game Pass Essential include cloud gaming?
Yes. Since the October 2025 changes, Essential includes cloud gaming, and Ultimate offers the highest streaming quality.
Last updated: October 18, 2026
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