How Much Does an Xbox Network Subscription Cost?

A basic one is free, but Game Pass starts at $9.99 a month

By
Eric Qualls
Eric Qualls
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Eric Qualls has been covering the Xbox line of consoles and Xbox games since August 2004.
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Updated on December 5, 2023
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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With a free Xbox Network account, you can play demos, watch trailers, and download apps from the Xbox Marketplace. With an Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate membership, you can access a catalog of games and play online.

How Much Is an Xbox Network Subscription?

The basic Xbox Network subscription is free. Anyone can sign up for an Xbox Network account. If you want more perks and features, you'll need to purchase Game Pass.

To use the Xbox Network, you must have an Xbox 360 or later as well as a broadband internet service provider.

What Comes With a Free Xbox Network Account?

When you register your Xbox Network account, you'll choose a nickname (called a Gamertag), which is how you will be known to other people online. You can have lists to keep in touch with real-life friends or new people you meet online you like to play with.

The free Xbox Network service gives you access to voice chat as well as the Xbox Marketplace. You can't play most Xbox games online without a Game Pass subscription, but online multiplayer is available for free-to-play games. You can use all of the various video apps like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, as well.

That said, you don't need a game console to take advantage of the Xbox Network. Since Microsoft also makes Windows, your account will automatically integrate with many PC games. That way, you can share your achievements and utilize other social features to interact with fellow gamers.

What Is Game Pass?

Game Pass is a subscription-based service that you pay for from month to month. It has two tiers: Core and Ultimate.

Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold) costs $9.99 a month and lets you play multiplayer titles and access a catalog of a few dozen games that you can download and play for no additional cost. You also get access to exclusive deals and discounts. Core is available in separate console and PC options.

Ultimate runs $16.99 a month. Along with online multiplayer, you can also download or stream hundreds of games. Some first-party titles also drop on day one, and you also get an EA Play membership for an even bigger library. Ultimate works on both consoles and PCs with one membership.

How to Purchase an Xbox Game Pass Subscription

You can compare and buy Xbox Game Pass subscriptions on Microsoft's Game Pass website. Some versions may also include intro pricing (e.g., $1 for the first two weeks). Once you sign up, the membership will renew automatically each month.

You can also sign up through your console by opening the Store app and going to the Subscriptions section.

How Game Pass Subscriptions Work

Your Xbox Network account will work on your Xbox 360 or newer console. You'll sign in with the same Gamertag on both systems. On Xbox One and X Series, a single Xbox Game Pass subscription applies to all of the profiles on the system, whereas Xbox 360 requires each profile to have a separate membership play online.

FAQ
  • How do I cancel my Game Pass subscription?

    In a web browser, go to account.microsoft.com/services and sign in to your account. In the Xbox Live Gold section, select Manage > Turn off auto-renew > Confirm cancellation.

  • How do I fix Xbox Network connection issues?

    Determine whether the Xbox Network is down or if you need to troubleshoot your own internet connection. For a more stable connection, connect your console directly to your modem or router with an Ethernet cable.

  • How do I transfer my Xbox Network subscription?

    There's no way to transfer Xbox Live Gold subscriptions between users, but you can sign in to your account on any Xbox console to access your benefits. The catch is that you can't be signed in to more than one of each Xbox model simultaneously. For example, you can sign in on both an Xbox One and Series X but not two Series X consoles.

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