Xbox Game Pass vs. PlayStation Plus: Which gaming service is best in 2023?

Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus both have multiple tiers of service, with plans starting at $10 a month. 

Xbox Games Pass currently offers Console, PC, and Ultimate plans. A new entry-level plan, called "Xbox Game Pass Core," launches on September 14.

Xbox Game Pass Core will replace a separate service called Xbox Live Gold, and will give members access to online multiplayer on Xbox consoles along with a library of about 25 games. Xbox Game Pass Core will cost $10 a month or $60 per year, and existing Xbox Live Gold members will automatically be enrolled in the service.

Xbox Game Pass plans for Console or PC let members download hundreds of Game Pass titles to play on each respective platform. PC Game Pass is $10 a month while Game Pass for Console is $11 a month.

For $17 a month, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan combines Xbox Live Core with the PC and Console memberships, and adds the option to stream many Game Pass titles to your console, PC, mobile device, and even some of the best Samsung TVs. 

PlayStation Plus, meanwhile, has three pricing tiers, but unlike Game Pass, every plan includes online multiplayer support. PlayStation Plus Essential is the entry-level tier which lets members claim a small selection of games every month for $10 a month. This selection typically includes three titles per month. 

PlayStation Plus Extra costs $15 a month, and adds access to a library of more than 400 downloadable PS5 and PS4 games. The top tier, PlayStation Plus Premium, costs $18 a month, and adds game streaming support for PlayStation consoles and PCs. Premium also includes access to a collection of retro PlayStation games going back to the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP.

In addition to monthly pricing options, PlayStation Plus offers big discounts if you're willing to pay for an annual or quarterly membership. The more expensive tiers of Game Pass, however, don't offer multi-month discounts, unless you can find a specific retailer deal.

All PlayStation Plus memberships include support for online multiplayer, while Xbox requires Xbox Game Pass Core or the highest tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, to get online play.

PlayStation Plus plans also unlock support for backing up PlayStation game saves to the cloud. Meanwhile, cloud saving support is actually included for free for all Xbox owners, so you don't need Game Pass or any other subscription to use that feature.

Unlike Xbox Game Pass, all PlayStation Plus members also get the ability to share their screen with other PlayStation console owners online with a feature called Share Play. This lets you play multiplayer games as if you were playing offline, and share games with friends who may not have their own copy.

The main draw of Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus is their Netflix-style library of downloadable games. Both platforms include access to hundreds of titles, but they each take different approaches with their catalogs, especially when it comes to new releases.

Microsoft has committed to adding every new Xbox Studios game to Game Pass the same day they're released in stores, while Sony waits several months to add its own high-profile releases, like Horizon: Forbidden West and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium.

Xbox Game Pass' recent day-one releases include the cooperative shooter Redfall, and the rhythm-based action game Hi-Fi Rush. PlayStation Plus has started to add a few indie games to its catalog the same day they're released, like Tchia and Meet Your Maker, but there are fewer brand-new titles coming to the service.

Because Game Pass is also available on Windows PCs, certain games offer cross-platform play and shared cloud saves. But, there are a handful of Game Pass titles that are only available on console or PC, not both.

Both PlayStation Plus and Game Pass have partnerships with other industry publishers. Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC subscribers get access to EA Play, a subscription from Electronic Arts that includes franchises like Madden 23, Need for Speed, The Sims, and Star Wars. Game Pass also gives benefits to fans of Riot Games, like unlocking all of the champions in the popular PC game League of Legends.

Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus members have access to the Ubisoft+ Classics catalog, a subscription service that includes games from the Assassin's Creed series, Far Cry, and the Tom Clancy franchise.

Games will occasionally leave the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus catalogs, but the amount of time they're available depends on the publisher. First-party games published by Microsoft and PlayStation tend to remain in the subscription library permanently, while games published by third-party developers, like Square Enix and 2K Games, are more likely to rotate out. 

Classic titles from older consoles are rarely removed from either collection, while newer releases usually have a set timeframe before they leave. In general, most games will be on Game Pass for at least six months before you have to worry about them being removed. PlayStation Plus hasn't had many games leave the collection so far, but Sony only launched the full library in 2022.

Game Pass members get a 10% discount when buying games that are already on Game Pass, so you can always get a deal before a game leaves the service entirely. That 10% discount also applies to downloadable content and add-ons for Game Pass games, which aren't always included with the base version.

Cloud gaming support is included with the top tiers of Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. If you have a good internet connection, this feature lets you stream games to other devices so you can play select titles even if you don't own an actual Xbox or PlayStation console. 

Of the two platforms, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a much more robust streaming experience with the option to stream games to Xbox consoles, PCs, phones, tablets, and even some Samsung smart TVs. Many games on mobile also offer touch controls, so you don't need to worry about carrying a controller on the go.

On the other hand, PlayStation Plus Premium offers streaming directly to PS4 and PS5 consoles or PCs, but there's no feature to stream your collection to mobile devices or smart TVs. Furthermore, you need a PlayStation 4 controller to stream games, and games designed for PlayStation 5 can't be streamed yet.

If you're planning to take advantage of either service's cloud gaming feature to stream games on a computer, be sure to check out our guides to the best gaming laptops, best gaming PCs, and best PC controller for gaming to see some of our top gaming gear recommendations.

PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass both bring tons of value to their respective consoles, and even have benefits for gamers who don't own an Xbox or PlayStation. However, Xbox Game Pass has had more time to develop a better overall experience for its members.

Game Pass offers more new games than PlayStation Plus, gives members discounts when buying games or investing in DLC add-ons, and works across both console and PC with few hassles.

From a technological standpoint, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's cloud streaming and accessibility go beyond what PlayStation Plus Premium offers for members. Mobile streaming support even makes Game Pass a viable service for customers who just want to play games on their phones.

PlayStation Plus does include lots of critically acclaimed exclusive titles and an impressive catalog of classic games, but it still needs to expand its offerings and device support if it hopes to match the value of Xbox Game Pass in the future.

For now, Sony's gaming service shows promise, but Microsoft's membership is still the gold standard.

How can I get a discount on Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus?

Sony occasionally offers deals on quarterly and annual PlayStation Plus subscriptions in the PlayStation store, while discounts on Game Pass are sometimes available at separate retailers through sales on three-month subscriptions.

Is buying an annual subscription to Game Pass or PlayStation Plus worth it?

PlayStation Plus is discounted by up to 50% if you're willing to pay for a year of the service upfront, which makes an annual plan the best value for your money. Xbox Game Pass only offers monthly subscriptions for the console, PC, and Ultimate plans at the moment, but some retailers occasionally sell gift cards for three-months of Game Pass Ultimate at a discount. However, Xbox Game Pass Core will be available for $60 a year when it launches on September 14, which means you can get a 50% discount if you pay for an annual membership versus going with a monthly plan.