Top Video Game Subscriptions Across All Platforms

It feels like just yesterday that Xbox Game Pass launched, and everyone thought it was too good to be true. An all-you-can-eat buffet of games, right at your fingertips? Impossible. Now, just a few years later, it seems like every company is jumping on the game subscription bandwagon. New services are popping up left and right, each boasting massive libraries with hundreds of games to sink your teeth into.

But with so many games to play already, which one is actually worth your time and money? We’ve rounded up the most popular video game subscription services and narrowed them down to six of the best options.

1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Best Overall

### Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership

1$19.99 at AmazonPlatforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, mobile phones and tablets, select TVs, Meta Quest headsets

Pricing:

Game Pass Ultimate - $19.99/monthPC Game Pass - $11.99/monthGame Pass Core - $9.99/monthGame Pass Standard - $14.99/monthTrial Period: First month for $1 (PC Game Pass only)

Since its launch in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has been at the forefront of revolutionizing gaming with its subscription model. Often dubbed the "Netflix of video games," it boasts an ever-expanding catalog of titles across multiple platforms, as emphasized in the "This Is an Xbox" campaign.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate stands out as the premier gaming subscription, offering access to hundreds of titles, including day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios, 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 such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Fable. The service also includes EA Play, providing a vast back catalog of EA and BioWare classics. While it's known for its big-name titles, the Game Pass library also features a robust selection of indie gems like Chants of Sennaar, Unpacking, and Planet of Lana.

One of the standout features of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is its cloud streaming capability, which allows you to play games on virtually any device with Wi-Fi, including a Fire TV Stick. This feature enables seamless gaming without the need for downloads or patches, letting you pick up right where you left off across different devices.

2. Nintendo Switch Online

Best for Nintendo Games

12 Month Subscription### Nintendo Switch Online (Individual)

0See it at AmazonPlatforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2

Pricing:

Nintendo Switch Online: Individual - $3.99/month, $7.99/3 months, or $19.99/year | Family - $34.99/yearNintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Individual - $49.99/year | Family - $79.99/yearTrial Period: 7 days free

Nintendo Switch Online is a versatile subscription service available on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. It primarily enables online multiplayer for supported games, but it's much more than that.

Subscribers gain access to a growing catalog of Nintendo classics spanning over four decades. The standard subscription offers a curated collection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds titles from the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, the Expansion Pack also includes select GameCube games at launch.

Beyond retro gaming, the Expansion Pack offers additional perks such as 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 receive the Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Upgrade Packs as part of the Expansion Pack benefits.

In late 2024, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app, an exclusive perk for Nintendo Switch Online members, allowing users to stream and download iconic tracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Metroid.

3. PlayStation Plus

Best for PlayStation Games

Essential, Extra, & Premium### PlayStation Plus

0See it at PlayStationPlatforms: PS5, PS4, PlayStation Portal, PC/Mac, mobile devices and tablets

Pricing:

Essential: $9.99/month, $24.99/3 months, or $79.99/yearExtra: $14.99/month, $39.99/3 months, or $134.99/yearPremium: $17.99/month, $49.99/3 months, or $159.99/yearTrial Period: None

Originally launched as a free service in 2010, PlayStation Plus has evolved into a multi-tiered subscription service required for online play on PS5 and PS4. All tiers—Essential, Extra, and Premium—offer online multiplayer access, cloud storage for game saves, and exclusive content and discounts on the PlayStation Store.

The highlight of PlayStation Plus is its monthly free games, which subscribers can add to their library and play as long as their subscription is active. PlayStation Plus Extra adds a curated catalog of downloadable games, including PlayStation exclusives like The Last of Us Part I, God of War, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Demon's Souls, along with a selection of Ubisoft+ Classics from the Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and The Division franchises.

PlayStation Premium expands the catalog even further, including PlayStation Classics from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras, full game trials, and a curated selection of movies from the Sony Pictures Catalog. A standout feature of PS Plus Premium is PS5 Cloud Streaming, allowing subscribers to stream many games directly from the PS Plus Game Catalog.

4. Apple Arcade

Best for Mobile Gaming

1 Month Free### Apple Arcade

0See it at ApplePlatforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro

Pricing: $6.99/month

Trial Period: 30 days free

Apple Arcade revitalized mobile gaming upon its launch in late 2019, offering a fresh alternative to the flood of in-app purchases and ads. With no ads or in-app purchases, Apple Arcade's 200+ game library provides a premium experience.

The service features enhanced versions of classic mobile titles like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride, as well as popular indie games such as Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley. Apple Arcade isn't just for phone users; you can enjoy these titles on the big screen with an Apple TV or take them on the go with an iPad or Mac. These devices support popular third-party controllers like the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller over Bluetooth.

With iCloud syncing, your save data is automatically backed up, allowing you to pick up where you left off across different Apple devices. A single subscription can be shared with your family, making it a cost-effective choice.

5. Netflix

Best for Hybrid Gaming

$7.99 Per Month### Netflix Standard (With Ads)

0See it at NetflixPlatforms: Everywhere (for streaming), mobile phones and tablets (for games)

Pricing:

Standard (with ads): $7.99/monthStandard: $17.99/monthPremium: $24.99/monthTrial Period: None

Most of us either have Netflix or know someone who does, but did you know that your subscription includes access to over 120 games? With over 300 million subscribers, it's surprising that less than 1% play these included games. If you own an Apple or Android device, you're missing out on some serious value.

Since its gaming service launch in 2021, Netflix has added a remarkable lineup of games, including heavy-hitters like Hades, Dead Cells, Death’s Door, GTA: San Andreas, Civilization VI: Platinum Edition, Katana Zero, Sonic Mania Plus, and Monument Valley I-III, alongside original IP-based titles like Stranger Things and Squid Game. Currently available on iOS and Android, Netflix is also testing game streaming on select smart TVs and directly through netflix.com. With your subscription, you also get access to Netflix's extensive streaming library, keeping you up-to-date with the latest shows and movies.

6. Humble Bundle

Best for Discounts

$11.99 Per Month### Humble Choice

0See it at Humble BundlePlatforms: 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 completely independently, and no special consideration was given to Humble Bundle with regards to this list.

Humble Choice is a subscription service for PC gamers from Humble Bundle, known for its "pay what you want" model and charitable contributions. Unlike Humble's themed bundles, Humble Choice offers a curated selection of about eight games each month that you keep forever, even if you cancel your subscription. You can skip months and resubscribe when the lineup appeals to you.

Games usually come with a Steam key for redemption on PC, Mac, or Linux, and many can also be played directly through the Humble app on Windows. Subscribers also gain access to the Vault, a collection of over 50 DRM-free indie games. Humble Choice members receive up to 20% off purchases in the Humble Store, and 5% of your subscription cost goes to charity.

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 offers a promotion for Game Pass Ultimate (aside from PC Game Pass), as Microsoft discontinued its $1 offer for consoles in late 2024. Similarly, Sony does not provide free trials for PlayStation Plus, except for occasional regional promotions.

How much should you spend on a gaming subscription?

The amount you should spend on a gaming subscription depends on your gaming habits. If you typically invest hundreds of hours into a single game, buying games à la carte might be more cost-effective. However, if you enjoy exploring various genres and building a diverse game library, subscriptions can offer great value.

Consider your monthly gaming expenditure. If you're budget-conscious, subscriptions provide access to numerous games at a relatively low cost. But if you regularly purchase new releases at launch, you might not benefit as much from a subscription, except for the occasional older title. One notable 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 service.