Xbox Game Pass vs PS Plus: Which Is Worth It?

Gaming subscriptions have taken over. But at $160-200/year, are they worth it?

The Cost Comparison

| Service | Monthly | Yearly | 10 Years | |---------|---------|--------|----------| | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $16.99 | $203.88 | $2,038.80 | | PS Plus Premium | $13.33 | $159.99 | $1,599.90 | | PS Plus Essential | $5.83 | $69.99 | $699.90 | | Nintendo Switch Online | $3.33 | $39.99 | $399.90 |

What You Get

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

• 400+ games including day-one releases
• EA Play included
• Cloud gaming
• Online multiplayer
• PC Game Pass included

PS Plus Premium

• 400+ games to download
• Classics catalog (PS1/PS2/PS3/PSP)
• Game trials
• Cloud streaming
• Online multiplayer

The Value Math

An average new game costs $70.

Xbox Game Pass: If you play 3 games/year you'd otherwise buy, it pays for itself.

PS Plus: Play 2-3 games you'd have bought and you break even.

When Subscriptions DON'T Make Sense

• You only play 1-2 games per year
• You prefer owning your games
• You mostly replay favorites
• You're patient enough to wait for sales

The Ownership Alternative

| Buying Strategy | 10-Year Cost | You Get | |-----------------|--------------|---------| | Game Pass | $2,039 | Access while subscribed | | Buy 3 games/year on sale ($30 each) | $900 | 30 games you own forever | | Savings | $1,139 | Permanent ownership |

Our Verdict

Get Game Pass if: You're a variety gamer who plays lots of different games, especially day-one releases.

Skip subscriptions if: You play fewer than 5 games/year or prefer owning your library.

See the full breakdown on our Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus pages.