Best Cloud Gaming · pricing · Updated June 2026
Xbox Cloud Gaming pricing (2026)
Xbox Cloud Gaming starts at $9.99/mo (Game Pass Essential), across 4 plans. Best for Console gamers wanting day-one Xbox first-party titles. Every figure links to Xbox Cloud Gaming's own page and the date we captured it.
At a glance
- Entry price: $9.99/mo (Game Pass Essential)
- Free tier: No · 1-day trial
- Compliance: HIPAA — · SOC 2 — · GDPR —
- Best for: Console gamers wanting day-one Xbox first-party titles; Players who want a curated library without buying individual games; Mobile/tablet gamers streaming console titles via xCloud; EA Sports fans (EA Play bundled on Ultimate and PC tiers)
Xbox Cloud Gaming plans & pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Billing | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Essential | $9.99 | — | flat | 50+ games, cloud gaming included (xCloud), online multiplayer. Renamed from 'Core' on October 1, 2025. No day-one titles. First month $1 promotional offer. Cloud gaming stream quality up to 1080p/60fps. | xbox.com |
| Game Pass Premium | $14.99 | — | flat | 200+ games, cloud gaming included, new Xbox-published titles within 1 year of launch (not day-one). Renamed from 'Standard' on October 1, 2025. First 14 days $1 promotional offer. | xbox.com |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $22.99 | — | flat | 500+ games, cloud gaming, day-one releases (excluding Call of Duty as of April 21, 2026), EA Play included, Ubisoft+ Classics. Raised to $29.99 on October 1, 2025; reduced to $22.99 on April 21, 2026 when day-one Call of Duty access was removed. | xbox.com |
| PC Game Pass | $13.99 | — | flat | 300+ PC games, day-one PC titles, EA Play on PC included. Does not include console cloud streaming (xCloud); PC game streaming requires a compatible device and the Xbox app. First 14 days $1 promotional offer. | xbox.com |
Last verified 2026-06-14. Primary source: official Xbox Microsoft Store product page (xbox.com/en-US/games/store/game-pass-ultimate/cfq7ttc0khs0) fetched 2026-06-14 — rendered actual USD prices: Ultimate $22.99/mo, Premium $14.99/mo, Essential $9.99/mo, PC Game Pass $13.99/mo. Wikipedia Xbox Game Pass article (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Game_Pass) corroborates the tier structure and confirms an April 21, 2026 price reduction for Ultimate and PC Game Pass; the pricing table in Wikipedia shows $9.99/$14.99/$22.99/$13.99 which matches live store values. Cloud gaming (xCloud) is available on Essential, Premium, and Ultimate tiers; PC Game Pass does not include console cloud streaming. Cross-checked against en.wikipedia.org.
Capabilities
Integrations: EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew (Ultimate), Xbox app (Windows, iOS, Android), Microsoft Rewards.
Key features: Curated game library included in subscription (no bring-your-own required); Day-one first-party Xbox releases on Ultimate and PC Game Pass; EA Play bundled into Ultimate and PC Game Pass (access to EA library + trials); Ubisoft+ Classics bundled into Ultimate; Cloud gaming (xCloud) on phones, tablets, TVs, browsers — no console required on Essential/Premium/Ultimate; Microsoft Rewards points multiplier (4x on Ultimate); Fortnite Crew bundle on Ultimate; 500+ game library on Ultimate tier.
Plan limits: No free tier — lowest paid tier starts at $9.99/mo; First month $1 promo on Essential; first 14 days $1 on Premium and PC Game Pass; Cloud streaming (xCloud) not included on PC Game Pass tier; Day-one Call of Duty access removed from Ultimate as of April 21, 2026; Cloud stream quality varies by tier: best quality on Ultimate; No announced monthly hour cap as of 2026-06-15.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Xbox Cloud Gaming cost?
Xbox Cloud Gaming starts at $9.99/mo (Game Pass Essential); it has 4 published plans. Verified 2026-06-14.
What are cheaper alternatives to Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Cheaper cloud gaming than Xbox Cloud Gaming (entry $9.99/mo) include NVIDIA GeForce NOW at $8.33/mo. Verified 2026-06-14.
Does Xbox Cloud Gaming support HIPAA?
Xbox Cloud Gaming HIPAA support: —. SOC 2: —. GDPR: —.
Does Xbox Cloud Gaming have a free plan?
Xbox Cloud Gaming free tier: No; 1-day free trial.
Xbox Cloud Gaming vs alternatives
Compare all cloud gaming → · Xbox Cloud Gaming alternatives → · Open data · MCP
Cheaper cloud gaming alternatives
- NVIDIA GeForce NOW from $8.33/mo