Gaming · pricing dossier
Xbox Game Pass
Every price change since Jun 2019 — dated, sourced, archived.
The pricing story
Game Pass Ultimate doubled in two years. The 'best deal in gaming' held at $14.99 from 2019 to 2023, then Microsoft turned the crank hard: $16.99 in 2023, $19.99 in 2024, and a bruising 50% jump to $29.99 in October 2025 that triggered mass cancellations, subscriber revolts, and even refund waves. Microsoft's justification — day-one Call of Duty, Fortnite Crew, and cloud upgrades — didn't soften the sticker shock. The cheaper Essential and Premium tiers absorb downgraders, but the Ultimate trajectory is the clearest signal in subscriptions that the era of loss-leader gaming bundles is over.
Every change on record
4 entries- Oct 1, 2025 Ultimate $19.99 $29.99 ▲ +50%
+50% — tiers rebranded Essential/Premium/Ultimate; widespread backlash and cancellation surge
source: Xbox page (archived) ↗ - Jul 10, 2024 Ultimate $16.99 $19.99 ▲ +18%
+18%; 'Standard' tier introduced without day-one games
source: Xbox page (archived) ↗ - Jul 6, 2023 Ultimate $14.99 $16.99 ▲ +13%
First Ultimate hike; console tier $9.99 → $10.99
source: Xbox page (archived) ↗ - Jun 9, 2019 Ultimate $14.99 Launch
Ultimate debuts (console + PC + Live)
source: Xbox page (archived) ↗
Current plans (2026)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99/mo | 50+ games, cloud |
| Premium | $14.99/mo | 200+ games, no day-one Xbox exclusives |
| Ultimate | $29.99/mo | Day-one releases, cloud, Live Gold |
US list prices. Check the official pricing page for regional pricing and promos.
Switch & save
Frequently asked questions
Has Xbox Game Pass ever raised its prices?
Yes — Xbox Game Pass has raised prices 3 times. The most recent increase was on Oct 1, 2025, when Ultimate went from $19.99 to $29.99.
How much does Xbox Game Pass cost in 2026?
Essential costs $9.99/mo; Premium costs $14.99/mo; Ultimate costs $29.99/mo.
What did Xbox Game Pass cost when it launched?
The Ultimate plan launched at $14.99/mo in Jun 2019. Today it costs $29.99 — a 100% increase.
When was the last Xbox Game Pass price increase?
Oct 1, 2025. +50% — tiers rebranded Essential/Premium/Ultimate; widespread backlash and cancellation surge