It feels like just yesterday that Xbox Game Pass launched, leaving many to wonder if it was too good to be true. An all-you-can-eat buffet of games, instantly accessible? It seemed impossible. Fast forward a few years, and now, game subscription services are popping up everywhere, each promising expansive libraries with hundreds of games to dive into.
With so many options, figuring out which service is worth your time and money can be overwhelming. We've sifted through the most popular video game subscription services and narrowed them down to six of the best options for you.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Best Overall
### Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership
Price: $19.99 at Amazon
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, mobile phones and tablets, select TVs, Meta Quest headsets
Pricing:
- Game Pass Ultimate - $19.99/month
- PC Game Pass - $11.99/month
- Game Pass Core - $9.99/month
- Game Pass Standard - $14.99/month
Trial Period: First month for $1 (PC Game Pass only)
Since its launch in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has revolutionized the gaming world by pioneering the subscription model. Dubbed the "Netflix of video games," it boasts an ever-growing catalog and an impressive array of titles. Microsoft has expanded the service across numerous platforms, highlighted in its "This Is an Xbox" campaign.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate stands out as the premier gaming subscription, offering access to hundreds of games, including day one releases from Xbox Game Studios (now including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard). This means instant access to major titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and upcoming blockbusters like Doom: The Dark Ages and Fable. It also includes EA Play, unlocking a vast back catalog of EA and BioWare classics. While it's packed with high-profile games, the Game Pass library also features quality indie games like Chants of Sennaar, Unpacking, and Planet of Lana.
One of the standout features of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is its built-in cloud streaming, which allows any device to "feel like an Xbox" in 2025. With cloud streaming, you can play most of the Game Pass library anywhere you have Wi-Fi, even on a Fire TV Stick. No downloads, no patches – just pick up and play. When you're back on your console or PC, you can seamlessly continue right where you left off.
Nintendo Switch Online
Best for Nintendo Games
12 Month Subscription### Nintendo Switch Online (Individual)
Price: See it at Amazon
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Pricing:
- Nintendo Switch Online: Individual - $3.99/month, $7.99/3 months, or $19.99/year | Family - $34.99/year
- Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Individual - $49.99/year | Family - $79.99/year
Trial Period: 7 days free
Nintendo Switch Online is a multifaceted subscription service available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. While it primarily offers online multiplayer for supported games, it's much more than that.
Subscribers gain access to a growing catalog of Nintendo classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription includes a curated collection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games. Nintendo Switch 2 owners can play select GameCube games at launch with the Expansion Pack.
Beyond retro games, the Expansion Pack includes Sega Genesis titles and select DLC packs for popular games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo Switch 2 subscribers will also receive the Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Upgrade Packs as an added benefit.
In late 2024, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app for Nintendo Switch Online members, allowing users to stream and download iconic tracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and more.
PlayStation Plus
Best for PlayStation Games
Essential, Extra, & Premium### PlayStation Plus
Price: See it at PlayStation
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PlayStation Portal, PC/Mac, mobile devices and tablets
Pricing:
- Essential: $9.99/month, $24.99/3 months, or $79.99/year
- Extra: $14.99/month, $39.99/3 months, or $134.99/year
- Premium: $17.99/month, $49.99/3 months, or $159.99/year
Trial Period: None
Initially a free service when it launched in 2010, PlayStation Plus has evolved into a multi-tiered subscription service for PS5 and PS4 users, required for online play. All tiers – Essential, Extra, and Premium – include online multiplayer access, cloud storage for game save data, and exclusive content and discounts on the PlayStation Store.
The standout benefit of PlayStation Plus is the monthly free games. Subscribers can add select titles to their library each month, playable as long as they maintain an active subscription.
PlayStation Plus Extra adds a curated catalog of downloadable games, including PlayStation's best exclusives like The Last of Us Part I, God of War, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Demon's Souls, and more. It also includes a selection of Ubisoft+ Classics from popular franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and The Division.
PlayStation Premium offers an even larger catalog of downloadable games, including PlayStation Classics from the PS1, PS2, and PSP era. Subscribers also gain access to full game trials and a curated selection of movies from the Sony Pictures Catalog. One of PS Plus Premium's best features is PS5 Cloud Streaming, allowing you to stream many games from the PS Plus Game Catalog.
Apple Arcade
Best for Mobile Gaming
1 Month Free### Apple Arcade
Price: See it at Apple
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro
Pricing: $6.99/month
Trial Period: 30 days free
Apple Arcade launched in late 2019, revitalizing mobile gaming with a critical reception that signaled a new era after years of shovelware and in-app purchases. The service's main draw is its ad-free and in-app purchase-free library of over 200 games.
Apple Arcade boasts high-quality games, with enhanced versions of classic mobile titles like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride, alongside indie hits such as Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley.
If playing on your phone isn't your thing, you can enjoy Apple Arcade titles on larger screens with an Apple TV or on the go with an iPad or Mac. These platforms support popular third-party controllers like the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller via Bluetooth. Since Apple Arcade is exclusive to Apple devices, your save data syncs automatically via iCloud, allowing you to pick up where you left off across devices. A single subscription can also be shared with the entire family, making it an excellent value.
Netflix
Best for Hybrid Gaming
$7.99 Per Month### Netflix Standard (With Ads)
Price: See it at Netflix
Platforms: Everywhere (for streaming), mobile phones and tablets (for games)
Pricing:
- Standard (with ads): $7.99/month
- Standard: $17.99/month
- Premium: $24.99/month
Trial Period: None
Most of us are familiar with Netflix, but did you know that your subscription includes access to over 120 games? Despite Netflix having over 300 million subscribers, less than 1% play the included games, meaning many are missing out on significant value if they have an Apple or Android device.
Since its gaming launch in 2021 with just five games, Netflix has added an impressive lineup of titles at no extra cost, including Hades, Dead Cells, Death’s Door, GTA: San Andreas, Civilization VI: Platinum Edition, Katana Zero, Sonic Mania Plus, Monument Valley I-III, and more. While the games are currently available only on iOS and Android devices, Netflix is testing game streaming on select smart TVs and directly through netflix.com. Alongside these games, subscribers also get access to the entire Netflix streaming library, keeping them up to date with the latest shows and movies.
Humble Bundle
Best for Discounts
$11.99 Per Month### Humble Choice
Price: See it at Humble Bundle
Platforms: PC (via Steam/Windows), Mac/Linux (via Steam – certain titles)
Pricing: $11.99/month, $129/year
Trial Period: None
*Disclosure*: Humble Bundle is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of IGN. Humble Bundle and IGN operate independently, and no special consideration was given to Humble Bundle for this list.
Humble Choice is a subscription service for PC gamers from Humble Bundle, the site famous for its "pay what you want" model for game bundles, often contributing a portion of proceeds to charity.
Unlike Humble's themed bundles, Humble Choice offers a curated selection of about eight games each month as part of the subscription. The best part is that these games are yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your subscription. The month-to-month service allows you to skip a month if the lineup doesn't appeal to you and resubscribe when something catches your eye.
Games often come with a Steam key for redemption on PC (and Mac or Linux, when supported), but many can also be played directly through the Humble app on Windows. Your subscription also includes access to the Vault, a collection of over 50 DRM-free indie games available through the app.
Humble Choice members get up to 20% off purchases in the Humble Store, where you can grab even more titles for PC, Mac, and Linux. Plus, 5% of your subscription cost goes to charity, adding an extra layer of value to your gaming experience.
Gaming Subscriptions FAQ
Which game streaming services have free trials?
As of now, the services offering free trials are Nintendo Switch Online with a 7-day free trial, and Apple Arcade with a generous 1-month trial. Xbox no longer promotes Game Pass Ultimate (aside from PC Game Pass), as Microsoft pulled its $1 offer from consoles in late 2024. Similarly, Sony doesn't offer free trials for PlayStation Plus, except for limited-time regional offers.
How much should you spend on a gaming subscription?
This depends largely on your gaming habits. If you spend hundreds of hours on a single game, a subscription might not be the best value; you might be better off buying games à la carte. However, if you enjoy exploring different genres and building a diverse backlog, game subscriptions can be highly beneficial.
It's also worth considering your typical monthly game expenditure. If you're budget-conscious, subscriptions offer excellent value, providing access to hundreds of games for a relatively low price. If you regularly buy new releases at launch, you might not find much value in a subscription beyond the occasional older title you missed. An exception is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes day-one access to Xbox first-party titles, making the cost of a single new game cover several months of Game Pass.
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