Microsoft's current Xbox Game Pass comparison page lists four plan names: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, Essential and PC Game Pass. Because benefits vary by plan, region and platform, the official comparison tool is the best place to check the exact package available to your account before subscribing. Check the Xbox Game Pass Compare for the original details. For the related official page, see Read the official Xbox announcement.
The first question is where you want to play. Microsoft's comparison covers Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, Windows PCs and handhelds, while cloud streaming can extend supported plans to phones, tablets, selected smart TVs, Fire TV devices, Meta VR headsets and web browsers. PC Game Pass is listed separately for Windows PC use.
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The library is only one part of the comparison. Microsoft also lists features such as day-one games, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew, online console multiplayer, in-game benefits, Rewards with Xbox and member deals. Availability differs between plans, so a feature appearing on the comparison page does not mean every tier includes it.
Day-one access also has a specific caveat. Xbox describes it as access to select new games when they release, including Xbox-published and third-party titles, while the comparison page's footnote says Call of Duty titles are excluded from that particular statement. The live catalog remains the source to check for individual games.
Cloud gaming has another limitation worth checking. Microsoft says monthly cloud-gaming limits vary by Game Pass plan and that cloud gaming is not included with PC Game Pass. Supported regions and devices also vary, so the same subscription can have a different practical value depending on where and how you play.
Finally, remember that the catalog, feature set and pricing can change. Microsoft states that game availability varies over time by region, plan and platform, and subscriptions use recurring billing unless canceled. Comparing the live plan page against the devices and games you actually use is more reliable than choosing a tier from an old feature list.
Readers comparing tiers should start with the device they actually use. PC Game Pass is designed around the Windows game library, while the console-focused and multi-device tiers differ in game catalogue, cloud access and additional benefits. The Xbox comparison page also distinguishes access to selected new releases from first-day availability. A game listed in the overall Game Pass ecosystem is not proof that it is included in every plan, so the individual game's entitlement and region should be checked before subscribing.
Microsoft announced changes to cloud playtime allowances beginning in November 2026: the published figures are 15 hours per month for Ultimate, 10 for Premium and five for Essential, subject to market availability and later details. That future rule matters most to someone planning to stream regularly on a phone, television or handheld instead of installing games. Because subscription benefits and prices can change, this article deliberately avoids presenting any quoted monthly rate as permanent. Compare the live checkout terms and cancellation conditions for your account region.