If you’re new to the world of Xbox and just starting to explore the console’s gaming ecosystem, this guide is for you. We’ll break down all the current Xbox subscriptions, explain how they differ, what benefits they offer, and which one might be the right fit for your gaming needs. It’s worth noting that Microsoft has made several significant changes in recent years, including price adjustments, conversion rate updates, changes to free online access, and the introduction of the new Xbox Game Pass Core subscription. In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the available options so you can make an informed choice.
What Xbox Subscriptions Are Available in 2025?
As of 2025, Xbox offers five main subscription options designed to cater to different types of gamers, each with its own set of features and benefits. These subscriptions fall into two primary categories:
✅ Official Microsoft Subscriptions: These are branded under the “Xbox Game Pass” umbrella and include three tiers—Game Pass Core, Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate. These plans vary in terms of game library size, platform availability, and additional perks, giving players flexibility depending on their gaming habits and preferences.
- Game Pass Core is the newest and most affordable plan, designed to provide access to online multiplayer features and a limited library of games, serving as an entry-level option for casual gamers.
- Game Pass (formerly known as Xbox Game Pass for Console or PC) expands the game catalog significantly and offers access to a wide range of titles on either console or PC, depending on the version you choose.
- Game Pass Ultimate combines the full benefits of Game Pass for both console and PC, plus additional perks like Xbox Live Gold, cloud gaming, and exclusive discounts, making it the most comprehensive option for dedicated gamers.
✅ Third-Party Publisher Subscriptions: These are specialized services offered by major game publishers to complement your Xbox experience.
- EA Play, from Electronic Arts, gives subscribers access to a vast library of EA titles, including popular franchises like FIFA, Battlefield, and The Sims. It often integrates seamlessly with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate but can also be purchased separately.
- Ubisoft Plus, offered by Ubisoft, provides access to their latest and classic games, including hits like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs, often with early access or exclusive content.
Each subscription is designed to meet different gaming needs—from casual online play to accessing vast game libraries and exclusive content. Understanding what each offers will help you choose the one that fits your gaming style and budget best.
Now, let’s dive deeper into each subscription to explore their features, pricing, and who they are best suited for.
1. Xbox Game Pass Core
What is it?
Xbox Game Pass Core is the entry-level subscription that replaced the legacy Xbox Live Gold. It provides access to online multiplayer on Xbox consoles, a curated selection of games, and exclusive subscriber discounts. However, it does not include the ability to play new game releases on day one.
What’s included?
✔ Online multiplayer for console games
✔ Access to a curated collection of around 25 games (updated regularly)
✔ Exclusive discounts of up to 50% on select titles in the Microsoft Store
✔ Free Play Days: limited-time access to select full-featured games
✔ Online multiplayer access for all paid Xbox games
✔ Free online multiplayer remains available for free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and others without a subscription
Why is online multiplayer paid?
Though it might seem counterintuitive, charging for online multiplayer is standard practice across major platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. While free-to-play games allow online play without a subscription, paid games require an active subscription to access their multiplayer modes.
Which games are included?
Microsoft maintains a rotating list of games available in the Core subscription, typically featuring popular titles such as Forza, Gears of War, Ori, Psychonauts, and others. The exact lineup fluctuates but usually includes around 25 games.
Who is it for?
- Beginners who primarily want online multiplayer access with a modest game selection
- Players focused mostly on multiplayer gaming
- Those looking for the most affordable way to enjoy Xbox’s basic online features
Price: Approximately $9.99 per month
Summary of Xbox Game Pass Core: Considering its price and features, subscribing to Xbox Game Pass Core alone may not be the best value today. While access to online multiplayer is a definite advantage, all online multiplayer features are also included in higher-tier Xbox subscriptions that provide much broader benefits at only a slightly higher cost. For most players, it makes more sense to explore the more comprehensive subscription options upfront to get greater value and versatility.
2. Xbox Game Pass Console
What is it?
Xbox Game Pass Console is the classic subscription designed specifically for Xbox console owners who want access to a vast library of games without including online multiplayer. The game catalog is updated twice a month—typically adding around 15 new titles and removing about 6–8 older or less popular games, which means you rarely feel the impact of the removals.
The official price for this subscription is $11 per month, though regional offers often make it available at a lower cost. With this plan, you gain access to hundreds of games, including Microsoft exclusives and titles from various third-party developers. However, it’s important to note that online multiplayer is not included, so if you anticipate playing multiplayer games, you’ll need to consider additional subscriptions like Game Pass Core or Ultimate.
What’s included?
✔ Access to a library of over 400 games, featuring all Microsoft exclusives as well as a large selection of titles from various studios and publishers, including new releases for Xbox Series consoles and backward-compatible games from previous generations
✔ All Microsoft Studios games are available on day one of their release at no extra cost
✔ No online multiplayer in paid games (requires Game Pass Core or Ultimate for multiplayer access)
✔ Exclusive discounts on games and add-ons
✔ Ideal for players who prefer single-player campaigns and story-driven adventures
Who is it for?
Gamers who don’t need online multiplayer but want the widest variety of games through a subscription
Price: Around $10.99 per month
Summary: Xbox Game Pass Console is perfect for solo gamers who want to dive into a huge, ever-growing library without paying for online multiplayer features they don’t need. It’s a great value for those who primarily enjoy single-player experiences, though multiplayer enthusiasts will want to explore other subscription tiers.
3. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — The Best Choice
What is it?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the flagship and most comprehensive subscription plan Xbox offers — the preferred choice for the vast majority of gamers. It provides seamless access to games on console, PC, and through cloud streaming on mobile devices. This all-in-one plan is designed for players who want the fullest Xbox experience. With Game Pass Ultimate, you get new releases on day one, a vast library of hundreds of high-quality games, EA Play included, console multiplayer, cloud gaming, plus exclusive discounts, bonuses, and rewards for subscribers.
What’s included?
✔ Everything in Game Pass Console — access to hundreds of games on Xbox console
✔ Everything in Game Pass Core — including online multiplayer
✔ Access to Cloud Gaming (XCloud) — stream and play games on your phone or tablet anywhere with a stable internet connection
✔ PC Game Pass — a separate library of games available on Windows PCs (note: Xbox and PC game catalogs differ)
✔ EA Play subscription included at no extra cost
✔ Exclusive discounts, special offers, and additional subscriber bonuses
Who is it for?
- Gamers who want the full Xbox experience across console, PC, and cloud
- Players who value multiplayer gaming
- Those looking to save money by combining multiple subscriptions into one
Price: Around $16.99 per month
Why choose Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
If you plan to use all Xbox features from the start — console, PC, cloud, and online — Game Pass Ultimate is undoubtedly the best value. Nearly 99% of Xbox gamers choose this option for its versatility and convenience.
A Note on XCloud (Cloud Gaming): One of the standout features of Game Pass Ultimate is access to XCloud, Microsoft’s cloud gaming service. It lets you stream Xbox games from the Game Pass library directly to your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to play anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Gameplay is controlled via an external gamepad or specialized mobile accessories.
Limitations of XCloud: The biggest drawback of cloud streaming is input lag—the delay between your actions and their reflection on screen—which can significantly affect gameplay, especially in fast-paced titles. Additionally, the streaming quality may fluctuate, causing the image to “jump” or stutter even with a strong internet connection and a Bluetooth-connected controller. Due to these issues, long gaming sessions on XCloud can be uncomfortable and may not fully capture the experience of playing locally on console or PC.
4. EA Play
What is it?
EA Play is a subscription service from Electronic Arts that offers access to a curated library of their best games and editions, along with exclusive rewards, in-game content, and bonuses available only to Xbox subscribers.
What’s included?
✔ Popular EA franchises like FIFA, Battlefield, The Sims, STAR WARS, and more
✔ Trial access to new EA releases — typically up to 10 hours per game (trial length varies by title)
✔ Discounts on EA games and downloadable content
Who is it for?
- Players who primarily enjoy EA games and want access to their library without subscribing to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
- Gamers looking for EA-specific content and bonuses
Price: Approximately $4.99 per month
Tip: If you already have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, there’s no need to subscribe to EA Play separately — it’s included in the Ultimate plan.
5. Ubisoft Plus
What is it?
Ubisoft Plus is a subscription service from Ubisoft that grants full access to the publisher’s entire game library. This includes all major franchises and new releases such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs, The Crew, Rainbow Six, and more. A key advantage of Ubisoft Plus is that most games are available in their expanded Gold, Deluxe, or Ultimate editions, which include all available DLCs, season passes, and bonus content.
What’s included?
✔ Complete Ubisoft game catalog (including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, and others)
✔ Day-one access to all new Ubisoft releases
✔ Enhanced editions of games with all bonuses and add-ons
Who is it for?
- Ubisoft fans who want comprehensive access to the publisher’s entire library
- Players who prefer Ubisoft’s games and want all content available immediately
Price: $17.99 per month
Important: On Xbox, Ubisoft Plus is purchased separately and is not included in any Xbox Game Pass plans, including Ultimate. Its price is among the highest of all Xbox subscriptions, so it’s best suited for dedicated Ubisoft fans who regularly play the studio’s newest releases.
Comparison Table of Xbox Subsriptions
| Subscription | Online Multiplayer | Game Pass Library | EA Play Included | PC Games Access | XCloud (Cloud Gaming) | Price* |
| Game Pass Core | ✔ | 25 games | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | $9.99 |
| Game Pass Console | ✖ | 400+ games | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | $10.99 |
| EA Play (Standalone) | ✖ | EA games | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | $4.99 |
| Ubisoft Plus | ✖ | Ubisoft games | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | $17.99 |
| Game Pass Ultimate | ✔ | 400+ games | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $16.99 |
Which Xbox Subscription Should You Choose?
🔹 Just want online multiplayer and a few games — Game Pass Core
🔹 Want to play dozens of games but don’t need online multiplayer — Game Pass Console
🔹 Play exclusively on PC — PC Game Pass
🔹 Want the fullest experience including multiplayer — Game Pass Ultimate ✅ the best choice for most gamers
🔹 Big fan of EA games — subscribe to EA Play separately (if you don’t have Ultimate)
Where to Buy Xbox Gift Card
To replenish your Xbox account quickly, the easiest way is to purchase an Xbox Gift Card online. With an Xbox Gift Card, you can instantly top up your account and spend the balance on games, subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass, apps, movies, or in-game purchases — all without linking your bank card. Buying a gift card is a fast, secure, and convenient option, especially for those who prefer digital payments or want to give a gaming gift.
One of the best places to buy Xbox Gift Cards is Baxity Store, an official and trusted platform offering a wide selection of Xbox Gift Cards with instant email delivery. Baxity Store provides competitive prices, regular promotions, secure payments, and guaranteed valid codes. Whether you’re topping up your own account or buying a gift, Baxity Store makes the process simple and reliable.
How to Buy Xbox Gift Card on Baxity Store
Buying an Xbox Gift Card from Baxity Store is quick and easy:
✅ Visit Baxity Store
✅ Select the Xbox Gift Card with the amount you need
✅ Add it to your cart and proceed to checkout
✅ Choose a convenient payment method
✅ Receive your digital code by email instantly
After receiving the code, you can redeem it in your Microsoft or Xbox account and enjoy your balance for games, subscriptions, or entertainment.
Conclusion
If you want to experience the very best that Xbox has to offer, Game Pass Ultimate is the optimal choice, delivering the most comprehensive features for a reasonable price. It combines an extensive game library across console and PC, online multiplayer, cloud gaming, and access to EA Play, making it the go-to subscription for the majority of gamers.
However, if your gaming needs are more modest, the right subscription for you depends largely on how and what you intend to play. For example, if you only want access to online multiplayer and a small selection of games, Game Pass Core may suffice. If you prefer single-player adventures and don’t require online features, Game Pass Console offers great value with access to hundreds of titles.
Remember: free online multiplayer is only available in free-to-play games. For all other paid titles, an active subscription is mandatory to enjoy online features. Choosing the right subscription ensures you get the gaming experience you want without paying for extras you don’t need.
