Software · head to head
Xbox Game Pass vs PlayStation Plus
Xbox Game Pass
Software
Play together with friends, new games and classic favorites
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
PlayStation Plus
Software
Monthly games, online multiplayer and more
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Xbox Game Pass day-one access to new Xbox-published games is only included on the Ultimate tier, not on Essential or Premium; PlayStation Plus online multiplayer for most PS5 and PS4 games requires at least the Essential tier; it is not included free with a PlayStation account
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus actually diverge.
| Attribute | Xbox Game Pass | PlayStation Plus |
|---|
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
PlayStation Plus
- Online multiplayer for most PS5 and PS4 games requires at least the Essential tier; it is not included free with a PlayStation account
- Cloud streaming and the Classics Catalog of retro PlayStation games are reserved for the top Premium tier only, not Essential or Extra
Pricing, plan by plan
Xbox Game Pass
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Xbox Game Pass review.
PlayStation Plus
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the PlayStation Plus review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Xbox Game Pass if
Nothing in the data separates Xbox Game Pass from PlayStation Plus on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose PlayStation Plus if
Nothing in the data separates PlayStation Plus from Xbox Game Pass on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus better?
- Neither clearly leads. Xbox Game Pass starts at On request and PlayStation Plus at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus?
- Xbox Game Pass starts at On request and PlayStation Plus at On request.
- Does Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.