Xbox Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Essential vs PC Game Pass
PC Game Pass costs $4 more a month ($48 a year) than Xbox Game Pass Essential. Here is exactly what that extra money buys.
Xbox Game Pass Essential
$9.99 a month
Best for: People who mainly buy their own games but need to play online with friends on an Xbox.
PC Game Pass
$13.99 a month
Best for: Someone who only plays on a Windows computer and wants new games on day one.
What you get by choosing PC Game Pass
- Brand new games on the day they come out: Included (instead of Not included)Without this, new Xbox games join the library about a year after they come out.
- How many games you can choose from: 200 to 300 games (instead of About 50 games)Games come and go from the library over time.
- EA Play included (EA SPORTS FC, The Sims and other EA games): Included (instead of Not included)
What only Xbox Game Pass Essential has
- Playing on an Xbox console: Included on Xbox Game Pass Essential, Not included on PC Game Pass
- Playing with other people online on a console: Included on Xbox Game Pass Essential, Not included on PC Game Pass
Same on both
playing on a computer (included), hours of streaming games each month (5), fortnite crew included (not included).
Which one should you pick?
It depends on what you actually use. If you don't need brand new games on the day they come out or how many games you can choose from or ea play included (ea sports fc, the sims and other ea games), Xbox Game Pass Essential does the same job for less. Answer a few questions and we'll tell you which plan fits.
Prices and features verified September 21, 2026 from Xbox Game Pass's official pages (source ↗). Prices are before tax and can change. See all Xbox Game Pass plans.