It seems like just yesterday that Xbox Game Pass launched, and the idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet of games felt too good to be true. Now, a few years later, the game subscription model has taken off, with new services emerging frequently, each promising vast libraries packed with hundreds of games to explore.
With the gaming landscape flooded with options, it can be challenging to decide which service is worth your time and money. We've evaluated the most popular video game subscription services and selected the top six that stand out for their value and offerings.
1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Best Overall
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)
Launched in 2017, Xbox Game Pass pioneered the modern subscription-based gaming service, quickly earning the moniker "Netflix of video games" due to its expansive and ever-growing catalog of titles. Microsoft has since expanded the service across multiple platforms, as showcased in its "This Is an Xbox" campaign.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate stands out as the best overall gaming subscription, offering access to hundreds of games, including day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios, which now includes 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. The service also includes EA Play, unlocking a vast library of EA and BioWare classics. Beyond the high-profile titles, the Game Pass library is rich with quality indie games such as Chants of Sennaar, Unpacking, and Planet of Lana.
One of the standout features of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is its built-in cloud streaming, enabling virtually any device to "feel like an Xbox" in 2025. With cloud streaming, you can play most of the Game Pass library from anywhere with Wi-Fi, even on a Fire TV Stick, without downloads or patches – just pick up and play. When you return to your console or PC, you can seamlessly continue right where you left off.
2. Nintendo Switch Online
Best for Nintendo Games
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 the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. While it primarily facilitates online multiplayer for supported games, it offers much more. Subscribers gain access to a growing catalog of Nintendo Classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription includes NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, the Expansion Pack also allows access to select GameCube games at launch.
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 receive additional benefits such as the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Upgrade Packs.
In late 2024, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app, a new perk for Nintendo Switch Online members, allowing them to stream and download iconic tracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and more.
3. PlayStation Plus
Best for PlayStation Games
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
Originally a free service when it launched 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 – include online multiplayer access, cloud storage for game saves, and exclusive content and discounts on the PlayStation Store.
The standout feature of PlayStation Plus is the monthly free games, available to subscribers of all tiers, which can be played as long as the subscription remains 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.
PlayStation Premium offers an even larger catalog of downloadable games, including PlayStation Classics from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras, full game trials, and a curated selection of movies from the Sony Pictures Catalog. One of the best features of PS Plus Premium is PS5 Cloud Streaming, allowing subscribers to stream many games from the PS Plus Game Catalog.
4. Apple Arcade
Best for Mobile Gaming
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro
Pricing: $6.99/month
Trial Period: 30 days free
Apple Arcade made its debut in late 2019, revitalizing mobile gaming with a subscription model free from ads and in-app purchases across its 200+ game library. The service's game quality is another major draw, featuring enhanced versions of classic mobile titles like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride, along with indie hits such as Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley.
Apple Arcade isn't limited to phones; you can play on Apple TV, iPad, or Mac, all of which support popular third-party controllers like the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller via Bluetooth. iCloud automatically syncs your save data across devices, allowing seamless gameplay transitions. A single subscription can be shared with the entire family, making it a cost-effective option for multiple users.
5. Netflix
Best for Hybrid Gaming
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
Many of us have a Netflix subscription, but did you know it includes access to over 120 games? Despite Netflix's massive subscriber base, less than 1% engage with these games, which is a missed opportunity for many.
Since its gaming launch in 2021, Netflix has expanded its library to include 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 games like Stranger Things and Squid Game.
Currently, these games are available on iOS and Android devices, but Netflix is exploring game streaming for certain members on select smart TVs and through netflix.com. Plus, your subscription also grants access to the entire Netflix streaming library, keeping you up-to-date with the latest shows and movies.
6. Humble Bundle
Best for Discounts
Platforms: PC (via Steam/Windows), Mac/Linux (via Steam – certain titles)
Pricing: $11.99/month, $129/year
Trial Period: None
Humble Choice, from Humble Bundle, offers a curated selection of about eight games each month for PC gamers. The standout feature is that these games are yours to keep, even if you cancel your subscription. The service allows you to skip months when the lineup doesn't appeal to you and resubscribe when something catches your eye.
Games typically come with a Steam key for redemption on PC, Mac, or Linux (when supported), 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 available through the app.
Humble Choice members enjoy up to 20% off purchases in the Humble Store, offering more titles for PC, Mac, and Linux. Additionally, 5% of your subscription cost goes to charity, adding a feel-good factor to your gaming.
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 1-month trial. Xbox no longer offers a promotional trial for Game Pass Ultimate (except for 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 limited-time regional promotions.
How much should you spend on a gaming subscription?
The cost-effectiveness of a gaming subscription depends on your gaming habits. If you focus on a single game for hundreds of hours, buying games individually might be more economical. However, if you enjoy variety and exploring different genres, subscriptions can offer excellent value. Consider your typical monthly game spending; subscriptions can be budget-friendly, providing access to numerous games for a modest fee. For those who buy new releases at launch, subscriptions might not be as beneficial, except for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes day-one access to Xbox first-party titles, potentially covering the cost of several months with just one new game purchase.
