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Gaming · head to head

itch.io vs Xbox Game Pass

itch.io logo

itch.io

Gaming

Open marketplace for indie games and game assets

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 itch.io has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: itch.io open publishing means enormous variance in quality and very little curation; 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 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where itch.io and Xbox Game Pass differ
Attributeitch.ioXbox Game Pass
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFree to publish; creator-set revenue share on salessubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, LinuxWeb

Identical on both: 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 itch.io

  • Open publishing
  • Creator-set revenue share
  • Game jams
  • Pay what you want

Only in Xbox Game Pass

Nothing recorded that itch.io does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

itch.io

  • Publishing an independent or experimental game without an approval processnot Xbox Game Pass
  • Running or entering a game jamnot Xbox Game Pass
  • Buying game assets, tools and charity bundlesnot Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

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

Where each one falls short

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

itch.io

  • Open publishing means enormous variance in quality and very little curation
  • Discovery is difficult: without curation, a new release can go entirely unseen
  • Consumer audience is far smaller than the mainstream storefronts
  • Client and library features are minimal compared with Steam or GOG

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

itch.io

Free
  • itch.ioFree
    • Free publishing
    • Creator-set revenue share
    • Game jam hosting

Xbox Game Pass

On request

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

Which should you pick?

Choose itch.io if

  • You need open publishing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want creator-set revenue share.
itch.io review

Choose Xbox Game Pass if

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

Xbox Game Pass review

Questions people ask

Is itch.io or Xbox Game Pass better?
Neither clearly leads. itch.io 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, itch.io or Xbox Game Pass?
itch.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for itch.io and On request for Xbox Game Pass.
Does itch.io or Xbox Game Pass run on more platforms?
itch.io runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux. Xbox Game Pass runs on Web.
Can I use itch.io for free?
Yes. itch.io has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xbox Game Pass starts at On request.
What is itch.io best used for?
itch.io is most often used for publishing an independent or experimental game without an approval process, running or entering a game jam, buying game assets, tools and charity bundles. Of those, publishing an independent or experimental game without an approval process and running or entering a game jam are not what Xbox Game Pass is typically brought in for.
What can itch.io do that Xbox Game Pass cannot?
itch.io covers Open publishing, Creator-set revenue share, Game jams, Pay what you want.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

itch.io: Is itch.io free?

Yes to publish, and creators set their own revenue share on sales — including zero.

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
itch.io: Who uses itch.io?

Independent and experimental developers, students, and most major game jams including Ludum Dare submissions.

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

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

Source
itch.io: Why is discovery hard there?

Because publishing is open and uncurated. That is what makes it accessible to any creator, and it means new releases can go unseen.

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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