PS Plus vs Game Pass: Which Subscription Is Worth It?
PS Plus vs Game Pass: tiers, prices, games and day-one releases compared for 2026, to help you choose the subscription that's worth paying for.
Gaming subscriptions have quietly become one of the biggest decisions you make as a player. They decide whether you can play online, how many games you have access to, and sometimes whether you get the biggest new releases on day one without buying them.
Both PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass have changed a lot over the last two years, with new tiers, price rises and, in Game Pass’s case, a price drop. Here’s how they compare in 2026, and which one makes sense for you.
The short answer
- If you play on PlayStation, PS Plus is your only option. Essential is required for online play. Extra is worth it if you play lots of different games.
- If you play on Xbox or PC, Game Pass Ultimate is the best value in gaming if you’ll use the day-one releases. Otherwise, a cheaper tier may be enough.
- If you’re choosing a console, Game Pass’s day-one releases are the biggest difference between the two services, but many Xbox games now also come to PS5 as regular purchases.
The tiers explained
PlayStation Plus
| Tier | What you get |
|---|---|
| Essential | Online multiplayer, monthly games to keep while subscribed, cloud saves, discounts |
| Extra | Everything in Essential, plus the Game Catalog: hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games to download |
| Premium | Everything in Extra, plus classic PlayStation games, timed game trials and cloud streaming |
Xbox Game Pass
| Tier | What you get |
|---|---|
| Essential | Online multiplayer on console, a small rotating selection of games, cloud gaming |
| Premium | A larger library, including Xbox-published games within a year of release |
| Ultimate | Everything, including new Xbox games on day one, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics and cloud gaming |
| PC Game Pass | The PC library, including day-one releases, without console benefits |
How much do they cost?
At the time of writing (October 2026), the monthly prices in Europe are roughly:
| Subscription | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| PS Plus Essential | €9.99 |
| PS Plus Extra | €15.99 |
| PS Plus Premium | €18.99 |
| Game Pass Essential | €8.99 |
| Game Pass Ultimate | €20.99 |
Sony raised PS Plus prices in May 2026, while Microsoft actually lowered the price of Game Pass Ultimate in April 2026 after a big increase the previous autumn. Both services are usually cheaper per month if you pay for a year up front, and both run discounts during big sales.
Day-one games: the biggest difference
This is where the two services really split.
Game Pass Ultimate (and PC Game Pass) includes Microsoft’s own new games on the day they release. That means big titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard (including Call of Duty) show up in the library at launch with no extra cost. If you’d otherwise buy several of those games a year at full price, Ultimate pays for itself quickly.
PS Plus does not include Sony’s big new releases at launch. Games like the latest God of War or Spider-Man usually arrive in the Extra catalogue months or even years later. In exchange, the Extra catalogue is strong: it’s full of excellent PlayStation exclusives from previous years and plenty of big third-party games.
There’s one more twist. Microsoft now releases many of its games on PS5 too, so PlayStation players can still buy and play them, just not as part of a subscription.
Which library is better?
Both libraries are big and rotate regularly, with games joining and leaving every month.
PS Plus Extra shines with PlayStation’s back catalogue: years of first-party hits like Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima, Returnal and Ratchet & Clank, plus a steady stream of third-party games. If you’ve just bought a PS5, it’s a fantastic way to catch up.
Game Pass Ultimate shines with new releases, a huge range of indie games that often launch straight into the service, and the extra libraries from EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics.
Online multiplayer
On consoles, both companies require a subscription for most online multiplayer:
- PlayStation: you need at least PS Plus Essential.
- Xbox: you need at least Game Pass Essential.
Free-to-play games like Fortnite, Apex Legends and Warzone don’t need a subscription on either console, and on PC, online play is free.
Cloud gaming
Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you stream many games to a phone, tablet, smart TV or browser without downloading them. PS Plus Premium also offers cloud streaming of PS5 and older games to your console and PC. Both depend heavily on your internet connection, so test them before relying on them.
Who should get what?
Get PS Plus Essential if you play on PlayStation and mainly buy a few big games a year. You need it for online play anyway.
Get PS Plus Extra if you’re new to PS5 or play lots of different games. The catalogue alone can keep you busy for years.
Skip PS Plus Premium unless you specifically want the classic games or cloud streaming.
Get Game Pass Ultimate if you play on Xbox and want Microsoft’s big releases. It’s also great for trying lots of indie games.
Get PC Game Pass if you play on PC and like the idea of a rotating library with day-one Microsoft games.
Frequently asked questions
Is PS Plus Extra worth it?
If you play more than a few games a year, yes. The catalogue includes many excellent PlayStation exclusives and third-party games, and it’s a great way to try games you’d never buy.
Does Game Pass include Call of Duty?
New Call of Duty games are included in Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on day one.
Can I play online without PS Plus or Game Pass?
On console, only in free-to-play games. On PC, online play is free.
Which is better value?
For Xbox and PC players who want new Microsoft games, Game Pass Ultimate. For PlayStation players who like catching up on great games from the last few years, PS Plus Extra.
Still deciding between consoles? Our PS5 vs PS5 Pro guide covers the PlayStation side.
