Game Pass Ultimate, 3 months: $28
Save $17 vs. monthly plan
Xbox Live Gold, 3 months: $9
Save $21 vs. monthly plan
Now that it’s finally getting easier to find the next-gen Xbox Series X in stock (currently available Microsoft and: Walmart:), you may want to dive into the vast world of Xbox games. And one of the most effective ways to try out tons of different titles is with one of Microsoft’s game subscriptions. However, there are three different memberships, and to help you find the right one for your needs, we’ve outlined the key differences between them below.
We’ve also rounded up some of the best deals available so you can sign up for less. We’ll continue to update this page as deals come and go, so be sure to check back often for the best prices available.
Gold vs. Game Pass vs. Final:
There are not one, but three different services you can subscribe to to enhance your gaming experience on Xbox, so which one should you get? It really depends on what type of gamer you are. You can check our Detailed breakdown of Game Pass vs Live Gold herebut these are the key differences so you can choose the plan that’s right for you.
Gold
If you enjoy the multiplayer mayhem of online gaming, then a Gold membership is pretty much a must. To play almost any Xbox game online, whether it’s running and gunning in the latest competitive shooter or taking on a zombie land with your friends on the other side of the country, you need an Xbox Live Gold membership to do so. – except free to play games like Fortnite and Warzone. Gold costs $10 a month, or you can sign up for a three-month subscription for $25 and save a few bucks every month.
Game Pass:
If you prefer the single-player experience, Game Pass is a great deal. Signing up gives you access to over 400 games from the Xbox catalog. There is a huge range of games available, from mainstream titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum. Arkham Knight and Back 4 Blood, to charming little indies like Hades and Firewatch. Plus classics from the Xbox 360 era like Mass Effect and Fallout. New Vegas.
There are two versions of this subscription, one for console users and one for PC users, but both cost $10 per month. The only major difference is that the PC plan includes a subscription to EA Play, which adds a few more titles to your library and provides some exclusive rewards and content for select EA games.
Game Pass Ultimate
Game Pass Ultimate is the best of both worlds. For $15 a month, the Ultimate subscription bundles both Gold and Game Pass for $5 less than it would cost to sign up separately. You’ll have access to the entire Game Pass library on your console, PC, and mobile device, as well as a Gold membership so you can play games online, too. You’ll also get bonuses like exclusive offers and in-game content, and it includes a subscription to EA Play. For all-rounders who don’t want to compromise, this is your best bet.
The best subscription deals available right now
In contrast comparable subscriptions for PlayStation, there’s no annual membership plan for either Gold or Game Pass, which makes it a bit harder to find them at a consistently good value. While direct-from-Xbox deals occasionally pop up, they’re usually only for new subscribers. However, other retailers and third parties sometimes have deals on digital codes to help you save some cash each month. Here are the best ones we’ve found that are available right now.
Unless you’re a new subscriber, this CDKeys deal is the best value you’ll find on a Game Pass Ultimate subscription right now. Ultimate already saves you $5 per month by combining Gold and Game Pass membership, and this three-month subscription deal drops your monthly costs to $9 instead of the usual $15 per month. These codes can be purchased by existing or former Game Pass subscribers and can be stacked so you can load your membership a few months early for a lower price.
If you’re looking for multiplayer mayhem, this would be your best bet for a good value. This package from Best Buy costs $60 for a full year, which cuts the monthly cost in half to $5.
If you’re not entirely sure whether you need or want a Gold subscription, this is a great opportunity to try it out for a while before committing to a full year. CDKeys currently has a three-month Gold membership for about $9, which brings the monthly cost down to $3 instead of the usual $10. Just a note that this deal appears to be exclusive to console users.