Xbox Game Pass got cheaper in the US in April 2026 after a sharp price increase the previous October. US Game Pass Ultimate now costs $22.99 per month and PC Game Pass costs $13.99 per month, while future Call of Duty games will no longer arrive in either plan at launch. A separate cloud-gaming limit is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
How much is Xbox Game Pass now?
As of October 4, 2026, Xbox lists US monthly prices of $22.99 for Game Pass Ultimate and $13.99 for PC Game Pass, following reductions effective April 21, 2026. Xbox says prices may vary by region, so these dollar amounts should not be assumed to apply outside the US. Check the Xbox plan comparison for current local prices and plan details.
| Plan or price point | US monthly price | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate, current | $22.99 | Price effective April 21, 2026, per Team Xbox. |
| PC Game Pass, current | $13.99 | Price effective April 21, 2026, per Team Xbox. |
| Ultimate, October 2025 | $29.99 | Historical new-member rate listed by Microsoft for October 2025, not the current rate; individual renewal outcomes are not established by that table. See Microsoft’s worldwide price table. |
| PC Game Pass, October 2025 | $16.49 | Historical new-member rate listed by Microsoft for October 2025, not the current rate; individual renewal outcomes are not established by that table. See Microsoft’s worldwide price table. |
The October 2025 increase preceded the April 2026 reduction: US Ultimate moved from $19.99 to $29.99 per month for new members, and PC Game Pass from $11.99 to $16.49, according to Microsoft’s October pricing table. The April adjustment brought both below those October rates.
What changed with Ultimate and Call of Duty?
The lower US Ultimate price came with a change to when new Call of Duty games join the subscription. Beginning with future releases in 2026, new Call of Duty titles will not be included in Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. Xbox says they will instead be added during the following holiday season, about a year after release. Call of Duty games already in the Game Pass library remain available, according to Xbox’s April 2026 announcement.
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Ultimate continues to include hundreds of games across Xbox console and PC, in-game benefits, online console multiplayer, cloud gaming, and major day-one releases. Game availability and included features can vary by market, plan, platform, and time; consult Xbox’s plan comparison for the applicable details.
How many cloud gaming hours are included?
Xbox plans to introduce monthly cloud gaming allowances in November 2026. The announced allowances are 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential. The September 3, 2026 announcement says subscribers can buy additional cloud playtime through the Xbox Store after using the included hours, but it did not yet state the extra-hour price or detailed market availability. These limits are upcoming as of October 4, 2026, not yet in effect.
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Xbox estimates the change will affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That is the company’s estimate, not an independently verified count. The same announcement describes a new option, also beginning in November, to buy cloud playtime without Game Pass and stream eligible games a customer owns on supported devices; eligible games, markets, and prices had not yet been detailed. See Xbox’s cloud gaming update.
| Plan | Included cloud time from November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Ultimate | 15 hours per month |
| Premium | 10 hours per month |
| Essential | 5 hours per month |
How to decide whether a plan is worth the monthly cost
There is no universally best tier. Compare your local monthly price with the features you will actually use, rather than choosing by the headline price alone.
- Match the plan to your device: Consider whether you play on Xbox console, Windows PC, handheld, phone or tablet, TV, Meta VR headset, or browser. Xbox lists these device categories, but supported features and availability vary.
- Decide whether you want downloads or streaming: A game library you can download and play is not the same as access to cloud streaming. Check the plan comparison for the platforms and features available in your market.
- Account for console multiplayer and included games: If online console multiplayer or a rotating library of included titles matters to you, compare which tier offers the features you need.
- Value day-one releases realistically: Ultimate still includes major day-one releases, but future Call of Duty games follow the delayed schedule described above. Do not treat launch-day Call of Duty access as a current Ultimate or PC Game Pass benefit.
- Estimate cloud use against the coming allowance: If you rely on streaming, compare your typical monthly hours with the November allowance for your plan. If you use cloud gaming only occasionally, compare the standalone purchase option once local prices and eligible games are published.
Xbox warns that titles, game counts, features, and availability vary over time, region, plan, and platform. Its current comparison page is the place to check the terms that apply to your account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know about billing and cancellations
Xbox says recurring billing continues until you cancel. To avoid another charge, cancel before your next billing date. The plan comparison page also says charges may be increased with at least 30 days’ notice under Microsoft Store terms. Review your account’s billing date and local terms before making a change; see the Xbox plan comparison.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
