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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe October 2025 Xbox Game Pass price increases are no longer the latest pricing news. Microsoft later announced lower Ultimate and PC Game Pass prices in certain euro markets, while its U.S. price-change table records the earlier higher new-member rates. As of October 8, 2026, check Microsoft’s local plan page for the price you would actually pay: prices and features vary by market and plan.
What changed in the October 2025 price hike?
Microsoft’s worldwide price table lists U.S. new-member monthly prices of $19.99 for Game Pass Ultimate, up from $16.99, and $11.99 for PC Game Pass, up from $9.99. Those figures document the earlier increase; they are not a live checkout quote. The opened table does not establish its publication date, and Microsoft labels the prices for new members. See Microsoft’s worldwide price table.
The headline’s reference to a “new tier” is also historical. The current U.S. comparison page lists four plans—Ultimate, Premium, Essential, and PC Game Pass—not a single newly introduced plan that applies everywhere. Features and catalog access depend on region, plan, platform, and time. Microsoft’s current plan comparison is the practical starting point for evaluating what is available to you.
How much is Xbox Game Pass now?
There is no single worldwide current price. Microsoft’s April 21, 2026 Xbox Wire update, in its French localization, announced that Ultimate would move from €26.99 to €20.99 per month and PC Game Pass from €14.99 to €12.99 per month. These are euro-market prices, not U.S. prices, and should not be applied to other regions. Read the April 2026 Xbox Wire update for the localized announcement and use Microsoft’s plan page to check your own market.
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![Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Cloud Gaming Devices [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bMCG9v4vL._SL160_.jpg)
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
For a household budget, compare the recurring local charge rather than carrying forward a price from an old headline. Microsoft says subscriptions recur until canceled and that charges may be increased with at least 30 days’ notice. The listed price, billing terms, and available features at checkout matter more than a past announcement’s price table.
Which plan fits your platform and play habits?
The four-plan lineup requires a trade-off between price, games, devices, and extras. The official comparison page describes availability across consoles, PC, handhelds, and other supported devices, but not every feature or game is included on every plan or in every region.
Rank #2
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
| Plan | What to check before subscribing |
|---|---|
| Ultimate | Check the local recurring price, included catalog and release timing, platform support, multiplayer and extras, and the cloud allowance scheduled to begin in November 2026. |
| Premium | Compare its local price and included catalog against the games and platforms you actually use; its scheduled cloud allowance is lower than Ultimate’s. |
| Essential | Check whether its catalog, multiplayer, and other included features meet your needs; its scheduled cloud allowance is the smallest of the three plans with announced monthly limits. |
| PC Game Pass | Evaluate it for PC access and release timing, including the announced change to when future Call of Duty releases join the service. The opened plan comparison does not establish a cloud-hour allowance for this plan. |
The plan comparison is not a substitute for checking a specific title: game availability can change, and supported devices and benefits vary. If you mainly play on one platform, prioritize the catalog and features for that device rather than paying for benefits you will not use.
Is Call of Duty still coming to Game Pass on day one?
Not for future releases under Microsoft’s April 2026 announcement. The company said future Call of Duty games would be added to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass during the following holiday season—about a year after launch. It also said Call of Duty games already in the catalog would remain available. The announcement is in French on the localized Xbox Wire page; the English explanation here translates its stated timing.
Rank #3
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
This distinction matters when comparing plans: an existing catalog title and a future release do not necessarily have the same arrival date. If day-one access is a deciding factor, check the timing announced for the particular game instead of assuming that every major release will arrive on launch day.
How many hours of cloud gaming do you get?
Xbox announced monthly cloud-gaming allowances scheduled to begin in November 2026: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential. These limits are forthcoming as of October 8, 2026, rather than already in force on that date. Xbox said players could buy additional time, with availability and purchasing options varying by market. Its September 3, 2026 Xbox Wire announcement said the change was expected to affect 4% of Game Pass subscribers.
Rank #4
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Team Xbox acknowledged the impact: “We recognize that introducing limits is a meaningful change, particularly for players who regularly spend more time gaming through the cloud.” It also explained: “We’re introducing this model because the cost of providing cloud gaming grows as more people use it and play for longer.” If you stream frequently, compare your expected monthly hours with the allowance and verify whether additional time is available where you live.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical way to compare the cost
- Check your local recurring price. Use Microsoft’s plan page for your region and confirm the amount at checkout; neither the historical U.S. hike table nor the euro-localized April announcement is a universal current price.
- List the games and release timing you value. Confirm that they are in the plan’s catalog and account for the announced delay for future Call of Duty releases.
- Match the plan to your devices. Check support for your console, PC, handheld, or streaming device, since availability varies.
- Count the extras you would otherwise pay for. Compare multiplayer and any included benefits against the cost of obtaining those features separately, using only benefits listed for your market and plan.
- Estimate cloud use. If you play through the cloud, compare your expected hours with the allowance due to start in November 2026 and check local options for extra time.
- Revisit the renewal terms. Subscriptions recur until canceled, and Microsoft says it may raise charges with at least 30 days’ notice.
A plan is a better value only if its included games and features replace spending you would otherwise make. A higher tier can cost more without saving you money if you do not use its extra catalog, platforms, or benefits.
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Best Value
- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
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.
