Gaming subscription services have redefined the console market over the past few years. All three major players — Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo — offer them, giving subscribers access to plenty of online and downloadable titles in return for a monthly fee. But what about desktops? You may have heard about Xbox Game Pass for PC, but is it worth it?
Can You Use Xbox Game Pass on PC?
Game Pass is available on PC in two forms — Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Before deciding if the service is worth it for you, you need to understand how these subscriptions work.
Xbox offers four Game Pass tiers, but only two of them let you play games on your desktop. The most straightforward option is PC Game Pass, a PC-only version of Microsoft’s monthly gaming package. The other, Game Pass Ultimate, combines this PC service with all the perks of the console-only tiers.
The terminology can get confusing, especially because you’ll access PC Game Pass through the Xbox app. In short, though, the big takeaway here is that PC Game Pass gives you monthly titles to play on your computer, while Ultimate does the same for both PC and Xbox consoles.
Xbox Game Pass vs. PC Game Pass
Because PC has its own service, what you get from it differs slightly from what you’d see on consoles. Here’s a closer look at what each offers to help you understand if PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate is worth it.
Price
Game Pass on PC is cheaper than most Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The service costs $12 a month — $3 less than the consoles’ Standard package and $8 less than Ultimate.
There is another console tier — Xbox Game Pass Core — for just $10 a month, but this service offers little beyond online play. It doesn’t come with many games, so it’s not comparable to the desktop plan, especially because the PC platform doesn’t require a subscription to use the internet.
You used to be able to get a 14-day PC Game Pass trial, but Microsoft quietly ended the promotion ahead of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s release. It’s taken it away only to bring it back later before, though, so keep your eyes peeled for future deals. Current users can also refer a friend to give them a free two-week trial, which is a solid option if you know someone with a Game Pass subscription.
Games
Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass also have different games available. While there is a lot of crossover between the two, the PC version offers just over 450 titles, compared to 500 currently available on Game Pass Ultimate. However, the Standard console tier has just over 360 games, making the PC version the better deal between the two.
Keep in mind that the library on both consoles and PC changes from month to month. Consequently, you’ll have to compare the available selection on Xbox’s website whenever you’re ready to choose one or the other.
Naturally, PC Game Pass titles are only playable on PC. Likewise, Xbox Game Pass Standard and Core offerings are console-only. Ultimate gives you access to everything on both platforms, but you’ll have to pay $20 a month for it.
Features
There are also a few differing features between Xbox Game Pass and the PC version you should know about. PC Game Pass gets several perks that you’d need an Ultimate subscription to access on consoles.
With your PC Game Pass subscription, you’ll get some day-one game releases. Some titles come to the service on their release day, and these can include some big names ever since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard back in 2022. On consoles, you can only do that with Game Pass Ultimate.
Similarly, PC Game Pass includes EA Play, which adds several EA-published games to your library — another Ultimate-exclusive feature on Xbox. One Ultimate function you won’t get is Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you stream games instead of having to download and run them locally.
Pros and Cons of Game Pass on PC
Looking at the differences between Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, some key ups and downs emerge. The biggest advantage of the PC version is its most obvious distinction — it runs on PC. You’ll get access to a huge library of games without needing a console, and computers have a larger game selection than consoles to begin with.
PC Game Pass is also a great financial deal. It costs less than Xbox Game Pass Standard but offers more titles. Getting EA Play and day-one releases without having to pay for Ultimate is a nice perk, too.
On the downside, PC Game Pass doesn’t support consoles. You’ll need an Ultimate subscription if you have both an Xbox and PC and want to use Game Pass between them. The library also differs from the console selection, which can be frustrating if there’s a console-only title you’d like to play.
Is Game Pass Worth the Money?
All in all, PC Game Pass is a great deal if you’re an avid PC player or want day-one access to new titles. It’s less appealing if you play consoles more or don’t buy new games frequently enough to justify a monthly fee instead of paying for titles upfront.
Alternatives to Game Pass on PC
You may like the idea of Game Pass on PC but don’t love the specific service. In that case, there are a few alternatives you could consider.
Sony’s answer to Game Pass — PlayStation Plus — supports both consoles and PC if you have a Premium subscription. It’s like Ultimate but with a different selection of games. There aren’t quite as many available titles, but you do get some Sony exclusives. It costs $18 a month — less than Game Pass Ultimate but more than PC Game Pass.
Alternatively, there’s Nvidia GeForce NOW if cloud gaming is the feature you’d most want. This service offers a free tier and several paid tiers above that, but it doesn’t include a library of playable games. So, it’s not a good replacement for PC Game Pass but could be a low-cost alternative to Game Pass Ultimate if you’re most interested in cloud gaming.
PC Game Pass Is a Good Deal for Some but Not All
Overall, Game Pass on PC is a stellar option for people who find themselves buying a lot of new games on PC. Be aware, though, that it isn’t a one-to-one equivalent to Xbox Game Pass. Review these pros and cons to make an informed decision about what suits your needs.
Recent Stories
Follow Us On
Get the latest tech stories and news in seconds!
Sign up for our newsletter below to receive updates about technology trends