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Fanatical vs Xbox Game Pass

Fanatical logo

Fanatical

Gaming

Authorised key store built around build your own bundles of mostly Steam titles

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xbox Game Pass logo

Xbox Game Pass

Gaming

Play together with friends, new games and classic favorites

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Fanatical has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Fanatical almost everything activates on Steam, so the Steam account rules, regional restrictions and library policies apply and the store is a discount channel rather than an independent platform.; Xbox Game Pass day-one access to new Xbox-published games is only included on the Ultimate tier, not on Essential or Premium
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fanatical and Xbox Game Pass actually diverge.

Attributes where Fanatical and Xbox Game Pass differ
AttributeFanaticalXbox Game Pass
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelOne-time purchasesubscription
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Gaming).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Fanatical

  • Build your own bundle
  • Star Deals
  • Authorised sourcing
  • Mixed media bundles
  • Steam first catalogue
  • Wishlist alerts

Only in Xbox Game Pass

Nothing recorded that Fanatical does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Fanatical

  • Filling a Steam library with back catalogue titles at a few pounds each through a build your own bundlenot Xbox Game Pass
  • Buying a recent release at a discount from a source with publisher agreements rather than a grey marketplacenot Xbox Game Pass
  • Picking up a headline title on a Star Deal that undercuts the concurrent Steam sale pricenot Xbox Game Pass
  • Buying several copies of an inexpensive multiplayer game for a group without paying full price eachnot Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

  • Access hundreds of games without individual purchasesnot Fanatical
  • Play new AAA titles on day one of releasenot Fanatical
  • Stream games across multiple devices seamlesslynot Fanatical
  • Earn rewards points while gaming and shoppingnot Fanatical
  • Experience multiplayer gaming with online friendsnot Fanatical

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Fanatical

  • Almost everything activates on Steam, so the Steam account rules, regional restrictions and library policies apply and the store is a discount channel rather than an independent platform.
  • Bundle pools are weighted towards older and low profile titles, and the advertised saving is measured against list prices that the same games rarely sell at any more.
  • There is no refund once a key has been revealed, which is stricter than Steam and leaves no route out of an impulse purchase.
  • Duplicate keys from bundles have no resale route because an activated Steam key cannot be transferred, so overlapping bundle purchases are simply wasted money.
  • Some titles carry regional activation locks, and prices are set per currency rather than tracking exchange rates, so buyers outside the main markets can end up paying more than the local store price.

Xbox Game Pass

  • Day-one access to new Xbox-published games is only included on the Ultimate tier, not on Essential or Premium
  • Cloud gaming quality is explicitly tiered, with the vendor stating Premium gets improved cloud quality and only Ultimate gets premium cloud gaming

Pricing, plan by plan

Fanatical

Free
  • Store accountFree
    • Free account, you pay per title or per bundle
    • Build your own bundles at a fixed price for a chosen number of titles
    • Most keys activate on Steam

Xbox Game Pass

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xbox Game Pass review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Fanatical if

  • You need build your own bundle.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want star deals.
Fanatical review

Choose Xbox Game Pass if

Nothing in the data separates Xbox Game Pass from Fanatical on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Xbox Game Pass review

Questions people ask

Is Fanatical or Xbox Game Pass better?
Neither clearly leads. Fanatical starts at Free and Xbox Game Pass at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fanatical or Xbox Game Pass?
Fanatical has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fanatical and On request for Xbox Game Pass.
Does Fanatical or Xbox Game Pass run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Fanatical for free?
Yes. Fanatical has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xbox Game Pass starts at On request.
What is Fanatical best used for?
Fanatical is most often used for filling a steam library with back catalogue titles at a few pounds each through a build your own bundle, buying a recent release at a discount from a source with publisher agreements rather than a grey marketplace, picking up a headline title on a star deal that undercuts the concurrent steam sale price, buying several copies of an inexpensive multiplayer game for a group without paying full price each. Of those, filling a steam library with back catalogue titles at a few pounds each through a build your own bundle and buying a recent release at a discount from a source with publisher agreements rather than a grey marketplace are not what Xbox Game Pass is typically brought in for.
What can Fanatical do that Xbox Game Pass cannot?
Fanatical covers Build your own bundle, Star Deals, Authorised sourcing, Mixed media bundles.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Fanatical: Are Fanatical keys official?

Yes. Fanatical sources under publisher and distributor agreements, unlike marketplaces where individual sellers list keys of unknown origin.

Xbox Game Pass: What are the pricing tiers and trial offers?

Essential tier: Get your first month for $1, then regular pricing. Premium tier: Get your first 14 days for $1, then regular pricing. Ultimate plan: regular pricing with no trial discount mentioned.

Source
Fanatical: Can I return a bundle I do not want?

Not once keys have been revealed. Check the contents against your existing library before buying, because duplicates cannot be resold.

Xbox Game Pass: How many games are included in each tier?

Library varies: 50+ games (Essential), 200+ (Premium), 500+ (Ultimate), 300+ (PC-only)

Source
Fanatical: Do the keys work outside the United Kingdom?

Usually yes, but individual titles can be region restricted and the restriction is listed on the product page rather than applied automatically at checkout.

Xbox Game Pass: How long can I access games on Game Pass?

Game Pass subscribers enjoy access to games in the library until either the subscription is canceled/expires, or a game leaves the Game Pass library.

Source
Xbox Game Pass: What is the refund policy?

If you cancel your subscription within 30 days after payment, you may qualify for a one-time refund of recurring charges.

Source
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