Best Xbox Game Pass Alternatives

With Microsoft increasing Xbox Game Pass pricing yet again, you may be looking for something different, including completely different platforms. These Xbox Game Pass alternatives give you a wide variety of games to choose from, no matter where your interests lie.

1. Best for Retro Gaming: Nintendo Switch Online

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Price: Starting at $19.99/year

For anyone who loves nostalgic Nintendo games, the Nintendo Switch Online membership is a no-brainer. The base plan gives you access to a growing number of NES, SNES, and Game Boy titles, including the ultimate classic, Super Mario Bros. If you upgrade to the Expansion Pack ($49.99/year), you also get numerous N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis titles.

But it’s not all retro gaming. You also get cloud saving, online play access (for games that support it), and some nice freebies, such as all the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Courses and Animal Crossing New Horizons: Happy Home Paradise. There are even family plans that allow you to save on multiple users.

2. Best for Supporting Charity: Humble Choice Bundle

Platforms: PC

Price: $11.99/month

Love PC gaming and donating to charity? Just subscribe to the Humble Choice Bundle. It’s one of the best Xbox Game Pass alternatives because of its access to a selection of curated PC games each month, valued at approximately $200, for just $12. You get to keep the games, even if you cancel your membership. You’re free to skip months or cancel and rejoin at any time with no penalties.

You’re not limited to just the monthly bundle. Your membership gives you access to up to 20% off discounts through the Humble store. Plus, 5% of your purchase goes to charity. You’ll also find pay-what-you-want bundles, offering significant savings. You may not always find the latest titles, but there are plenty of choices to keep you entertained.

3. Best for PS4/PS5 Players: PlayStation Plus

Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC (not all titles available)

Price: Starting at $9.99/month or $79.99/year

If you’re a PlayStation console fan, one of the most obvious Xbox Game Pass alternatives is PlayStation Plus. The three different plans offer varying levels of benefits. The base plan offers a rotating selection of monthly PS4 and PS5 titles that you’re free to download and play, but only to subscribers. You also get online multiplayer, special discounts, and cloud storage.

As you upgrade, you gain access to the Game Catalog and Ubisoft + Classics libraries. Enjoy classics from the original PlayStation, PSP, PS2, and PS3, along with classic Ubisoft games, such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. At the highest tier, get access to cloud streaming for certain games and PC play to pick up where you left off on your PS4 or PS5.

4. Best for EA Fans: EA Play

Platforms: PC (EA app and Steam), Xbox, PS4

Price: Starts at $5.99/month or $39.99/year

If you already subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, EA Play is included with your subscription. But if all you mainly play are EA games, you’ll save a lot by dropping your Xbox subscription and just sticking with EA Play, though the library isn’t nearly as extensive as some other options. You have your choice of two subscription levels, but both give you early access (anywhere from 10 hours to 10 days) to games before they officially launch.

As long as you’re a member, enjoy unlimited access to the EA library of games. And, if you upgrade to the Play Pro tier, you also get unlimited access to premium editions of games. Plus, you get special members-only in-game rewards and discounts to buy games. The only downside is that memberships aren’t cross-platform. To use it on multiple platforms, you’ll need multiple subscriptions.

5. Best for Mobile Games: Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass

Platforms: iOS (Apple Arcade), Android (Google Play Pass)

Price: $6.99/month or $49.99/year (Apple Arcade), $4.99/month or $29.99/year (Google Play Pass)

I’m combining Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass, as the one you choose depends on whether you’re an Apple or Android user. Both are fairly similar and give you access to numerous mobile games for a single monthly price. They’re also the best Xbox Game Pass alternatives for mobile gamers.

Apple Arcade offers over 200 games, with new ones being added regularly. All included games get rid of ads and unlock most in-app purchases. You can also play on most Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

Google Play Pass eliminates ads and unlocks most in-app purchases as well. You get access to over 1,000 games and apps, and special discounts on in-app purchases that aren’t included with the membership.

With both subscriptions, you will lose access to any special perks if you cancel or an app is removed from the library. However, both include family sharing for up to five members. Remember, you can also share your Xbox Game Pass.

6. Best for Ubisoft Fans: Ubisoft+

Platforms: PC

Price: Starting at $7.99/month or $79.99/year

Ubisoft+ is one of the more limited Xbox Game Pass alternatives on this list, just like EA Play. A membership gives you access to a selection of Ubisoft games. To access all games, you’ll have to upgrade to the $17.99/month plan, which gives you just over 100 games. However, the extra cost includes day-one access and even early-release access to new games.

Both plans give you a 20% discount on all games included with your plan. However, the Premium plan lets you enjoy your membership on Luna and Xbox. Overall, it’s not the most cost-effective alternative, but it all depends on what games you prefer to play the most.

7. Best If You Already Own Games: GeForce NOW

Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, smart TV

Price: Free with premium options

GeForce NOW works differently than other Xbox Game Pass alternatives. This cloud gaming platform requires you to purchase games first, then play them on nearly any device, thanks to the cloud access. It’s designed for PC games (over 1,500 available) purchased from various stores, such as Steam, Ubisoft, and Epic Games Store.

The free version gives you basic performance and only one hour of access at a time, though you can queue up to play again when you’re done. Premium memberships give you si— to eight-hour sessions at a time, better servers, higher performance, and better resolution. Alternatively, you can try Shadow, which works similarly.

If you’re more into retro games, learn how to play them on a Raspberry Pi. Or, if you’re moving to PC gaming, find out whether PC or cloud gaming is best.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.

Crystal Crowder - Staff Writer

Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.