Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Ultimate ~$22.99 per mo
PlayStation Plus
Essential ~$10.99 / Extra ~$16.99 / Premium ~$19.99 per mo
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a huge rotating library and Xbox first-party games on day one, across console, PC, and cloud, for about $22.99. PlayStation Plus is tiered, with online play and monthly games on Essential and a catalog on Extra and Premium. Game Pass wins on day-one value; PS Plus wins on flexible tiers and PlayStation exclusives.
Pick Xbox Game Pass Ultimate if you want the best day-one value, a large rotating library, and play across console, PC, and cloud.
Pick PlayStation Plus if you game on PlayStation, want a cheaper entry tier for online play, and value Sony's exclusives over time.
Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are the two big console gaming subscriptions, and they differ in philosophy. Game Pass Ultimate puts a large rotating library plus every Xbox first-party game on launch day into one subscription, playable across Xbox consoles, PC, and the cloud, for about $22.99 a month. PlayStation Plus is split into three tiers: Essential ($10.99) covers online multiplayer and monthly free games, Extra ($16.99) adds a game catalog, and Premium ($19.99) layers on classics and trials.
The headline difference is day-one games. Xbox adds its big first-party releases to Game Pass the day they launch; Sony generally keeps its biggest exclusives off the subscription for a while after release. That makes Game Pass the better deal for new releases, while PS Plus offers cheaper entry and the strength of PlayStation exclusives over time.
We compare price and tiers, day-one games, library size, online play, and platform reach.
| Quick facts | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | PlayStation Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Top-tier price | Ultimate ~$22.99/mo | Premium ~$19.99/mo |
| Cheapest tier | Lower PC/Core tiers | Essential ~$10.99/mo |
| First-party games day one | Yes | Usually no |
| Plays on PC + cloud | Yes | Cloud (higher tiers) |
| Best for | Day-one + variety | Tiers + exclusives |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | X Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | P PlayStation Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Large rotating library | Yes | Extra / Premium |
| First-party games on launch day | Yes | No |
| Online multiplayer included | Yes | All tiers |
| Monthly games | Library model | Essential monthly games |
| Console + PC + cloud | Yes | Console + cloud (tiers) |
| Classic / retro catalog | Some | Premium |
| Cheaper entry tier | PC/Core | Essential |
| Game trials | Some | Premium |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
Game Pass adds first-party games on day one, which PS Plus generally does not, but Ultimate is the pricier subscription.
PS Plus is cheaper to start (Essential at $10.99) and has stronger marquee exclusives, but you usually wait for them to hit the catalog.
Both raised prices recently, so the "incredible value" framing is weaker than it was a couple of years ago.
The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Plus, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.
See how the price has moved