Xbox Game Pass Vs Xbox Live Gold: Whats The Difference
Both subscriptions offer more gaming options for Xbox owners, but theyre not the same thing. We break down the differences.
Does the PS5 have an edge on the Xbox Series X/S in terms of its lineup of current and upcoming exclusive game titles? Maybe. But where Xbox has a distinct advantage is its Game Pass subscription option, which lets Xbox owners play more than 100 games for single flat fee . Its a great deal, but the only problem is that Microsoft has some confusing messaging around the available Game Pass options: There are three versions of the subscription, along with a Xbox subscription called Xbox Live Gold. Gold, meanwhile, is included in some versions of Game Pass, but not others.
Need help untangling the differences? Read on.
Keep An Eye Out For Free Trials
If youre still on the fence, Microsoft sometimes offers free trials of Xbox Live Gold with new consoles and some games. You may see a Try Gold For Free promotion for some free Xbox Live Gold time on your console, or you may have received a prepaid code you can redeem for trail time bundled with a game or console. However, theres no simple way to get a trial if your console doesnt offer one to you and you dont have a prepaid code. Youll need to sign up for the paid subscription instead.
When purchased from Microsoft, Xbox Live Gold costs $10 per month, $25 per three months , or $60 per year . If you plan on sticking with it for the long haul, the yearly subscription is the best dealalthough you cant cancel it and get your money back during the year youve paid for. Thats the catch.
RELATED:What Is Xbox Game Pass, and Is It Worth It?
Overall, Xbox Live Gold certainly seems like a more valuable service than Microsofts separate Xbox Game Pass subscription, which costs $10 per month. It offers no discount for buying more time, still requires a paid Xbox Live Gold subscription to play games offline, and offers access to a library of games that includes many games that were previously offered for free via Games for Gold in the past.
Also Check: How To Sell Gold Bars Rdr2 Online
How To Cancel Xbox Live Gold Subscription
Gamers can really benefit from an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Recurring payments can be a pain, though. Especially those months when you arent gaming much, or the budget is tight. Lets show you how to save some cash and cancel Xbox Live Gold. Well also show you how to delete your Xbox Live account for good if you so choose to. But first, lets find out which steps you want to take next.
Read Also: How To Get Free Golden Eagles In War Thunder Ps4
Microsoft Makes Shock U
ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES: It means the USD price for an annual Xbox Live Gold subscription has effectively double compared to 2020 pricing, when a 12-month Gold subscription cost $60. Last year Microsoft stopped offering 12-month subscriptions.
It also means that one month of Xbox Live Gold now costs just $4 less than an Ultimate subscription, which includes access to Game Pass.
Microsoft said that users looking to upgrade their Gold membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be able to convert their remaining Gold time directly to Ultimate.
Where Can You Download Xbox Games With Gold Games
First, head to the Store on your Xbox. Once there, open the Membership page – you’ll be able to see a link on the Store’s homepage.
Next, head to the Xbox Live Gold section. Here you’ll be able to find the games that are currently available to you through Xbox Games with Gold.
You can also queue your chosen Xbox Games with Gold for download on the Xbox Games with Gold homepage. These games will be stored in your account and are then downloaded once you turn on your console.
Once you’ve downloaded a game, you’ll be able to find it in ‘My games & apps’.
Don’t Miss: Golden Eagle Rdr2
Xbox Live Gold Gift Cards
If your looking for Xbox Live Gold gift cards ahead of the holiday season, youll be happy to learn you can gift a membership quickly and easily, whether youre buying through Microsoft or a third party like CDKeys or Amazon. Many retailers have their own gifting services, in which case youll just need your recipients email address but if you dont want to use this service, simply make a note of the code you receive with your order and pass it on to the recipient.
You can redeem your Xbox Live Gold gift card directly at Microsoft.
Xbox Live Gold Price Increase: Where You Can Still Buy 12 Months For $60
: Early Saturday morning, Microsoft announced it was rolling back the Xbox Live Gold price hike it revealed the day before. Prices will stay the same $9.99 for one month, $24.99 for three months, $39.99 for six months, and $59.99 for 12 months. Microsoft also revealed players will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play free-to-play games on Xbox. The original post is below.
Microsoft has announced plans to increase its Xbox Live Gold subscription pricing, a controversial move as the company looks to migrate its users to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
While Xbox Live Gold was once its definitive online membership, in recent years, Microsoft has also scaled up Xbox Game Pass, a Netflix-style service with access to hundreds of Xbox games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the latest addition, bundling Xbox Game Pass for Xbox and PC, EA Play, and Xbox cloud gaming into a single $15 monthly membership. And with the recent Xbox Live Gold changes, Microsoft is assumedly hoping more will flock to the value of its all-inclusive tier.
But with Xbox Live Gold codes stocked by most retailers, you can still find Xbox Live Gold subscriptions at $60 for 12-month codes, ahead of the price change. While stores are expected to adopt new pricing imminently, the days ahead could be your last opportunity to take advantage of the “old” price.
Xbox Live Gold
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Make that MJOLNIR yours
Don’t Miss: Freeze Golds Gym Membership
Is The Cost Of Xbox Live Gold Increasing
No while Microsoft previously outlined plans to increase the cost of its Xbox Live Gold membership, the company changed course following widespread backlash among users. The price of Xbox Live Gold would double for many under the proposed changes, changing to $60 for six months versus the previous $60 12-month subscription. Xbox Live Gold members on a per-month payment would also see their plans increase $1 per month, at $11 per month. This adjustment is no longer planned.
Microsoft first detailed plans to change Xbox Live Gold pricing back in January, citing “changes in regional marketplaces,” and increased investments in the Xbox network. The negative response saw it backtrack less than 24 hours later, with no planned changes to the value of Gold. It also used the opportunity to announce changes around free-to-play titles, which set work in motion over the following months.
While Xbox Live Gold pricing could increase later, Microsoft remains committed to current prices, at least right now. That further distances the subscription from the all-inclusive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, currently costing $15 monthly or $180 a year, including Xbox Live Gold alongside other benefits across the platform.
Best Xbox Live Gold Deals : Cheapest Subscription Prices
Looking for the best Xbox Live Gold deals? We’ve got you covered. Microsoft charges $10 per month or $25 per quarter but why pay that when you can find it much cheaper elsewhere?
We’ll explain all the benefits Xbox Live Gold membership below, but suffice to say it’s essential if you want to make the most of your Xbox Series X or Series S. .
As for the lowest prices on a 3-month, 6-month or 12-month subscription, we’ve listed the best Xbox Live Gold deals below. We’ve also spotted some sweet savings on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which provides access to 100+ games for one monthly fee.
Read on for where to find the biggest Xbox Live Gold discounts in the US, and let the price-busting commence!
- On a budget? Check out today’s best Xbox One deals
Don’t Miss: Free Golden Eagles Code
How To Download Xbox Games With Gold Games
To be eligible for Xbox Games with Gold you must have either an Xbox Live Gold membership or an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which will include access to Xbox Games with Gold.
These memberships cost:
- Xbox Live Gold – £6.99 / $9.99 / 6.99 per month
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – £10.99 / $14.99 / 12.99 per month
Once you’ve got your membership set up, it’s time to download some games!
What Is Xbox Live Gold And Is It Worth It
Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. Hes written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miamis NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion timesand thats just here at How-To Geek. Read more
If you have an Xbox One or Xbox 360, Microsofts Xbox Live Gold service is required to play multiplayer games online. A subscription costs $10 per month or $60 per year. Xbox Live Gold also includes additional benefits, like free games every month and discounts on some digital games.
Dont Miss: Kay Jewelers Certificate Code
Don’t Miss: How Much Is A Karat
What Do You Really Get When Sign Up Xbox Live Gold Membership
Xbox Live Gold membership has been running for over a decade, for those who have been using the service you probably already know what Xbox Live Gold membership offers you. But for those who never own an Xbox before, or never sign up the Gold membership, understanding what you get with Gold membership is important. And sometimes try to understand them could be intimidating because of the amount of overwhelming information from various places. Even if you are already a long-term member, you might not know the full extend of what it means to be enrolled in the Xbox Live Gold membership. I will take this opportunities to fully elaborate what it means and what you get with Xbox Live Gold membership. If Im wrong in any of the areas below, please feel free to correct me.
How Much Does Xbox Live Cost Full Pricing Details
It’s a golden opportunity.
Unless youre trying to play a free-to-play game, youll need an Xbox Live Gold membership to enjoy the online features of a game.
The Xbox Live Gold membership doesnt just grant multiplayer access to players, though, since other perks make the membership a wise investment. Alongside enjoying the multiplayer features of their favorite games, Xbox Live Gold members get two free games a month. Subscribers also receive up to 50 percent discounts for select titles in Microsoft Store, which means the subscription practically starts paying for itself.
Heres how much Xbox Live Gold costs.
- One-month Xbox Live Gold: $9.99
- Three-months Xbox Live Gold: $39.99
- Six-months Xbox Live Gold: $39.99
- 12-months Xbox Live Gold: $59.99
Players whod like to avoid paying the full price for their Xbox Live Gold membership can keep an eye on gift card discount deals. These deals allow players to get their Xbox Live Gold subscription for cheaper.
Theres also another subscription system that Microsoft offers, which can be more cost-efficient for most players. Not only does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate provide the same benefits as Xbox Live Gold, but it also grants players access to more than 100 high-quality games and EA Play.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription costs $14.99, and like other memberships, itll renew itself every month unless players manually cancel their subscription.
Read Also: Spectrum Gold Package Price
Which Multiplayer Games Will Be Free
Microsoft made a sweeping change across the Xbox platform, unlocking multiplayer across all free-to-play content on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. That includes many of today’s best Xbox games, including Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends. Other highlights include Destiny 2, Hyper Scape, ROBLOX, SMITE, Warframe, and World of Tanks, to name a few. Future titles that launch for free on Xbox consoles will come with the same exemption from Xbox Live Gold restrictions. Here’s the full list of free-to-play titles that don’t require Xbox Live Gold on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S:
- 3on3 FreeStyle
- Dead or Alive 5 Last Round: Core Fighters
- Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters
- Defiance 2050
- The Four Kings Casino and Slots
- Too Human
Microsoft Cancels Xbox Live Gold Price Increase Following Criticism
Prices will remain the same after Microsoft admits it ‘messed up.’
UPDATE 1/23: When Microsoft announced Xbox Live Gold subscription prices were set to increase yesterday, the news was met with a lot of criticism and anger. Microsoft was listening, and in a surprise move has decided to cancel the price hike as well as remove the need for a Gold subscription for free-to-play games.
A new statement posted on yesterday’s Xbox Wire post explains:
“We messed up today and you were right to let us know. Connecting and playing with friends is a vital part of gaming and we failed to meet the expectations of players who count on it every day. As a result, we have decided not to change Xbox Live Gold pricing.
Were turning this moment into an opportunity to bring Xbox Live more in line with how we see the player at the center of their experience. For free-to-play games, you will no longer need an Xbox Live Gold membership to play those games on Xbox. We are working hard to deliver this change as soon as possible in the coming months.
If you are an Xbox Live Gold member already, you stay at your current price for renewal. New and existing members can continue to enjoy Xbox Live Gold for the same prices they pay today. In the US, $9.99 for 1-month, $24.99 for 3-months, $39.99 for 6-months and $59.99 for retail 12-months.
Thank you.”
You May Like: What Does Bacardi Gold Mix Well With
The Best Xbox Live Gold Deals In Canada
If you’re looking for an XBOX Live subscription to access exclusive deals and free XBOX games all year long, you’re in the right place!
We put together a list of all the best deals on XBOX Live Gold that you can get in Canada, as well as where you can buy a subscription.
The recommended retail price for a 12-month subscription is $69.99 CAD, but we’ll keep our eyes out for any and all online deals that will get you even a penny less than that! And if it’s games you’re after, check out these deals on XBOX games!
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
If you want to combine your Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, you can save with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. On top of your free monthly games courtesy of Live Gold, youll also get access to the entire Xbox Game Pass library for one price.
While you can only grab three month memberships at the moment, buying both Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass separately through a rolling subscription with Microsoft will set you back $59.94/£44.94 for those three months. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will save you at least $15/£12, and thats before youve even taken a look at the great deals below.
Wed recommend starting off with the $1/£1 introductory month available through your Xbox console, before cancelling your auto-renew and grabbing one of these amazing discounts.
You May Like: 400 Ounces Of Gold
What Is Xbox Game Pass And Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Games Pass gives you access to well over 300 games to download and play on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S for one monthly fee.
If you upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you also get Xbox Live Gold, PC Game Pass, EA Play and access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, all for the same price.
You can download the games and play them as often as you like, as long as you continue to pay the monthly fee. Some titles might become unavailable as others are added, but you also have the option of buying any of the collection outright at discounted prices.
Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games are part of the line-up, the latter two through backward compatibility, so there are plenty of top titles to choose from.
Microsoft adds releases of its own and many third-party games on the same day they are released in stores. This includes Halo Infinite and Bethesda’s new, forthcoming sci-fi RPG, Starfield.
The included Xbox Live Gold also gives subscribers exclusive discounts on many games on the Xbox Store.
Should I Get Xbox Live Gold Or Xbox Game Pass
This depends on your gaming habits. Xbox Live Gold’s biggest selling point is not the free games, but it’s being able to play online. Are you someone who is going to play a few games online and only those games on a regular basis? Then you’ll want Xbox Live Gold.
On the other hand, if you want what is the equivalent to “Netflix for video games,” then Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is an easy choice. You have more than 100 games to choose from, and you’ll be able to play them from multiple devices. Tack on Xbox Live Gold, and you get a tremendous value for $15 a month. Put another way, you get to play dozens of games per year for the price of just three new console games purchased at retail .
If you subscribe to only one CNET newsletter, this is it. Get editors’ top picks of the day’s most interesting reviews, news stories and videos.
You May Like: Gold In Dubai Online
