PC Game Pass vs Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — Which Should You Get?
Microsoft offers two main Game Pass tiers for PC gamers. Here's exactly what each includes and which is worth it for you.
What's Included in Each Tier
| Feature | PC Game Pass | Game Pass Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| PC game library (300+ titles) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Console game library | ❌ | ✅ |
| EA Play on PC | ✅ | ✅ |
| EA Play on Console | ❌ | ✅ |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Online multiplayer (console) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Discord Nitro (perks) | ❌ | ✅ (sometimes) |
| Price (US, monthly) | $11.99 | $19.99 |
| Price saving vs Ultimate | — | +$8/mo |
The Game Library
Both tiers include the same PC game catalog — all first-party Microsoft titles (Halo, Forza, Flight Simulator, Age of Empires, etc.) plus hundreds of third-party games.
Game Pass Ultimate adds console games, but those aren't playable on PC anyway — so this addition is irrelevant if you're PC-only.
EA Play
Both tiers include EA Play on PC, which gives you access to 100+ EA titles (FIFA, Mass Effect, Battlefield, Need for Speed, etc.) and 10-hour trials of new EA games. This is a significant addition since EA Play alone costs $4.99/month.
Cloud Gaming (xCloud)
This is the biggest differentiator: Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, letting you stream games to:
- Mobile phones (iOS, Android)
- Tablets
- Any browser via xbox.com/play
PC Game Pass has no cloud gaming. If you want to play on your phone or a low-spec device, Ultimate is required.
Online Multiplayer
Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, which is needed for online multiplayer on Xbox consoles. On PC, most online games are free-to-play multiplayer without any subscription — so this benefit is largely irrelevant for PC-only gamers.
Price Comparison
| US Price | Turkey price (approx.) | Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC Game Pass | $11.99/mo | ~$2.50–3/mo | ~75% |
| Game Pass Ultimate | $19.99/mo | ~$3.50–4/mo | ~80% |
With regional pricing via Marix gift cards, the price difference between the two tiers narrows significantly. Ultimate for $4/month (Turkey pricing) is exceptional value.
When to Choose PC Game Pass
- You play exclusively on PC, never on Xbox or mobile
- You don't need cloud streaming
- You want to save $8/month vs Ultimate
When to Choose Game Pass Ultimate
- You play on Xbox console in addition to PC
- You want cloud gaming on mobile or tablet
- The price difference is small (especially with regional pricing)
- You want the EA Play console library
Verdict
PC Game Pass is the smart choice for dedicated PC-only gamers — you get the same game library for $8/month less.
Game Pass Ultimate makes sense if you have an Xbox, play on mobile via cloud, or if you're buying with Turkish regional pricing anyway (where the extra $1–1.50/month barely matters).
Quick rule of thumb: Xbox console owner? Get Ultimate. PC only? PC Game Pass is sufficient.