Top Video Game Subscriptions Across All Platforms

Remember when Xbox Game Pass first launched, and everyone thought it was just too good to be true? An all-you-can-eat buffet of games, right at your fingertips? Well, it turns out it wasn’t a dream—it’s now a reality for millions of gamers worldwide. Fast forward to today, and virtually every gaming giant has jumped on the subscription bandwagon. New services keep popping up, each offering vast libraries brimming with hundreds of games just waiting to be explored.

But with so many options out there, how do you decide which one is worth your hard-earned cash? To help narrow it down, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular gaming subscription services and selected the six best choices for you.

1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Best Overall

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership

• Price: $19.99 at Amazon
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, mobile phones and tablets, select TVs, Meta Quest headsets
• Pricing Options:
  • Game Pass Ultimate: $19.99/month
  • PC Game Pass: $11.99/month
  • Game Pass Core: $9.99/month
  • Game Pass Standard: $14.99/month
• Trial Period: First month for $1 (PC Game Pass only)

Xbox Game Pass set the bar high when it launched in 2017, quickly becoming known as the "Netflix of video games." With its ever-expanding catalog and stellar lineup of titles, it’s no surprise that Xbox doubled down on the service, making it accessible across multiple platforms.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the top choice for gamers, providing access to hundreds of titles, including day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios (which now includes Bethesda and Activision Blizzard). Think of it as instant gratification for blockbusters like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and upcoming masterpieces like Doom: The Dark Ages and Fable. Additionally, it comes with EA Play, unlocking a treasure trove of EA and BioWare classics. While it boasts AAA titles, the library is also packed with hidden gems like Chants of Sennaar, Unpacking, and Planet of Lana.

2. Nintendo Switch Online

Best for Nintendo Games

Nintendo Switch Online (Individual)

• Price: $3.99/month, $7.99/3 months, or $19.99/year
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch Online is a multi-faceted subscription service tailored for fans of classic Nintendo titles. At its core, it enables online multiplayer functionality for supported games. But that’s far from all it offers.

Subscribers also gain access to a growing library of Nintendo classics spanning four decades. The standard subscription includes NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis titles. For Nintendo Switch 2 users, you’ll also be able to play select GameCube games at launch with the Expansion Pack subscription.

The Expansion Pack takes things even further by adding Sega Genesis titles and DLC packs for popular games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. For Switch 2 owners, you’ll also get the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom upgrade packs as part of the Expansion Pack.

In late 2024, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app, a new perk for members. It streams and downloads iconic soundtracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Metroid.

3. PlayStation Plus

Best for PlayStation Games

PlayStation Plus

• Platforms: PS5, PS4, PlayStation Portal, PC/Mac, mobile devices and tablets
• Pricing Options:
  • Essential: $9.99/month, $24.99/3 months, $79.99/year
  • Extra: $14.99/month, $39.99/3 months, $134.99/year
  • Premium: $17.99/month, $49.99/3 months, $159.99/year
• Trial Period: None

When PlayStation Plus launched in 2010, it was free. Today, it’s a tiered subscription service required for online play on PS5 and PS4. All three tiers—Essential, Extra, and Premium—offer online multiplayer access, cloud storage for game saves, and exclusive content discounts on the PlayStation Store.

The real charm lies in the free monthly games. Regardless of tier, you’ll receive a rotating selection of games you can play anytime, as long as your subscription remains active.

PlayStation Plus Extra ups the ante by adding a curated library of downloadable games, including exclusives like The Last of Us Part I, God of War, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Demon’s Souls. It also grants access to Ubisoft+ Classics, featuring popular titles from the Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and The Division series.

PlayStation Premium is the cream of the crop, offering an even larger catalog of downloadable games from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras. You’ll also gain access to full game trials and a selection of movies from the Sony Pictures Catalog. Its best feature? PS5 Cloud Streaming, enabling you to stream many of the games in the PS Plus Game Catalog.

4. Apple Arcade

Best for Mobile Gaming

Apple Arcade

• Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro
• Pricing: $6.99/month
• Trial Period: 30 days free

Launched in 2019, Apple Arcade redefined mobile gaming by offering ad-free, in-app purchase-free experiences across more than 200 games. Its big draw is that the titles are genuinely good—enhanced versions of classic mobile favorites like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride, along with indie hits like Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley.

If you prefer larger screens, you can enjoy Apple Arcade games on your Apple TV or take them on the go with your iPad or Mac. All titles support popular third-party controllers like the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller over Bluetooth.

Since it’s exclusive to Apple devices, your save data syncs automatically via iCloud, ensuring continuity no matter which device you use. A single subscription can also be shared with your entire family, maximizing value.

5. Netflix

Best for Hybrid Gaming

Netflix Standard (With Ads)

• Price: $7.99/month
• Platforms: Everywhere (streaming), mobile phones and tablets (gaming)

Netflix has quietly become one of the largest gaming platforms, offering over 120 games for free to its subscribers. Despite its massive subscriber base, only a tiny fraction of users take advantage of this perk.

The library spans a mix of original IPs like Stranger Things and Squid Game, alongside heavy hitters like Hades, Dead Cells, Death’s Door, GTA: San Andreas, Civilization VI: Platinum Edition, Katana Zero, Sonic Mania Plus, and Monument Valley I-III.