It feels like just yesterday that Xbox Game Pass launched and everyone thought it was too good to be true. An all-you-can-eat buffet of games, right at your fingertips? Impossible. Now, just a few years later, it seems like every company is jumping on the game subscription bandwagon. New services are popping up left and right, each boasting massive libraries with hundreds of games to sink your teeth into.But with so many games to play already, which one is actually worth your time and money? We’ve rounded up the most popular video game subscription services and narrowed them down to six of the best options. 1. Xbox Game Pass UltimateBest Overall Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership$19.99 at AmazonPlatforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, mobile phones and tablets, select TVs, Meta Quest headsetsPricing: Game Pass Ultimate - $19.99/monthPC Game Pass - $11.99/monthGame Pass Core - $9.99/monthGame Pass Standard - $14.99/monthTrial Period: First month for $1 (PC Game Pass only)Launching in 2017, Xbox Game Pass essentially pioneered the modern subscription-based game service. It quickly became known as the "Netflix of video games" thanks to its ever-growing catalog and impressive lineup of titles. Since then, Xbox has doubled down on the service, expanding it to as many platforms as possible, as highlighted in its recent "This Is an Xbox" campaign.Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the best overall gaming subscription you can buy as it provides access to hundreds of titles, including day one releases from Xbox Game Studios (now including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard). That means you'll get instant access to major titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and upcoming blockbusters like Doom: The Dark Ages and Fable. It also includes EA Play, unlocking a massive back catalog of EA and BioWare classics. Though it has plenty of high-profile big games, the Game Pass library is also stocked with quality indie games like Chants of Sennaar, Unpacking, and Planet of Lana.PlayOne of the most compelling features of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is its built-in cloud streaming, a key reason why just about any device can "feel like an Xbox" in 2025. With cloud streaming, you can jump into most of the Game Pass library anywhere you have Wi-Fi. You can even play on a Fire TV Stick if you wanted to. No downloads, no patches – just pick up and play. When you're back on your console or PC, you can seamlessly continue right where you left off.2. Nintendo Switch OnlineBest for Nintendo Games12 Month SubscriptionNintendo Switch Online (Individual)See it at AmazonPlatforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2Pricing:Nintendo Switch Online: Individual - $3.99/month, $7.99/3 months, or $19.99/year | Family - $34.99/yearNintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack: Individual - $49.99/year | Family - $79.99/yearTrial Period: 7 days freeNintendo Switch Online is a multi-faceted subscription service offered by Nintendo available on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. As the name suggests, its primary function allows you enjoy online multiplayer for supported games. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg.With a subscription, you’ll also gain access to a growing catalog of Nintendo Classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription includes a curated collection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, you'll also be able to play select GameCube games at launch with the Expansion Pack subscription tier.If retro Nintendo games aren't enough, the Expansion Pack also adds Sega Genesis titles and includes select DLC packs for popular games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo Switch 2 subscribers will also receive the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Upgrade Packs as an added Expansion Pack benefit.In late 2024, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app as a new perk for Nintendo Switch Online members. The app lets users stream and download iconic tracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and many more.3. PlayStation PlusBest for PlayStation Games Essential, Extra, & PremiumPlayStation PlusSee it at PlayStationPlatforms: PS5, PS4, PlayStation Portal, PC/Mac, mobile devices and tabletsPricing:Essential: $9.99/month, $24.99/3 months, or $79.99/yearExtra: $14.99/month, $39.99/3 months, or $134.99/yearPremium: $17.99/month, $49.99/3 months, or $159.99/yearTrial Period: NoneInitially a free service when it launched in 2010, PlayStation Plus is now a multi-tiered subscription service for PS5 and PS4 users that is required for online play. All three tiers, Essential, Extra, and Premium, include online multiplayer access, cloud storage to automatically backup your game save data, and exclusive content and discounts on the PlayStation Store.But, the best benefit of PlayStation Plus has always been the free monthly games. Every month, regardless of tier, you'll have the ability to add select titles to your library that can be played anytime as long as you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.In addition to the benefits described above, PlayStation Plus Extra adds a curated catalog of downloadable games, including some of PlayStation's best exclusive titles like The Last of Us Part I, God of War, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Demon's Souls, and more. It also adds in a selection of Ubisoft+ Classics including popular titles from the Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and The Division franchises.PlayStation Premium includes an even larger catalog of downloadable games, including PlayStation Classics from the PS1, PS2, and PSP era. You'll also gain access to full game trials (wow, remember game demos?) and a curated selection of movies from the Sony Pictures Catalog. One of PS Plus Premium's best features is the addition of PS5 Cloud Streaming, allowing you to stream many of the games available in the PS Plus Game Catalog.4. Apple ArcadeBest for Mobile Gaming1 Month FreeApple ArcadeSee it at ApplePlatforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision ProPricing: $6.99/monthTrial Period: 30 days freeApple Arcade burst onto the mobile scene in late 2019 to great critical reception as it truly felt like a moment for mobile gaming again after countless years of shovelware and relentless in-app microtransactions. Apple Arcade's big selling point is that there are no ads or in-app purchases for any of the titles in its 200+ game library.The other big selling point is that the games are actually good. Many of your favorite classic mobile titles – like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride – are available in enhanced versions. Plus, popular indie hits such as Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley are all part of your monthly subscription.If you’re not a fan of playing games on your phone, you can enjoy Apple Arcade titles on the big screen with an Apple TV or take them on the go with your iPad or Mac – all of which support popular third-party controllers like the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller over Bluetooth, which you probably already own.Since Apple Arcade is exclusive to Apple devices, your save data is automatically synced via iCloud, letting you pick up where you left off, no matter which device you’re using. A single subscription can also be shared with the entire family, so everyone can enjoy the Arcade for one low price.5. NetflixBest for Hybrid Gaming$7.99 Per MonthNetflix Standard (With Ads)See it at NetflixPlatforms: Everywhere (for streaming), mobile phones and tablets (for games)Pricing: Standard (with ads): $7.99/monthStandard: $17.99/monthPremium: $24.99/monthTrial Period: NoneLet’s be honest: Most of us either have Netflix or know someone who does. But did you know that your subscription includes access to over 120 games? You're not alone if you didn't. Despite the popular streamer having more than 300 million subscribers, less than 1% actually play the included games. If you’ve got an Apple or Android phone or tablet, you’re missing out on some serious value.I’ve been following Netflix’s gaming efforts since it launched in 2021 with just five games and, honestly, I’m shocked at how many bangers it has now. Sure, there’s still plenty of original IP-based stuff like Stranger Things and Squid Game, but there’s also an impressive lineup of heavy-hitters available at no extra cost – Hades, Dead Cells, Death’s Door, GTA: San Andreas, Civilization VI: Platinum Edition, Katana Zero, Sonic Mania Plus, Monument Valley I-III, and more.PlayWhile the games are currently only available on iOS and Android devices, Netflix appears to be testing game streaming for certain members on select smart TVs as well as directly through netflix.com. And if access to all those games wasn’t enough, you also get the entire Netflix streaming library, so you can stay caught up on all the biggest shows and movies.6. Humble BundleBest for Discounts$11.99 Per MonthHumble ChoiceSee it at Humble BundlePlatforms: PC (via Steam/Windows), Mac/Linux (via Steam – certain titles)Pricing: $11.99/month, $129/yearTrial Period: NoneDisclosure: Humble Bundle is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of IGN. Humble Bundle and IGN operate completely independently, and no special consideration was given to Humble Bundle with regards to this list.Humble Choice is a subscription service for PC gamers from Humble Bundle, the site that popularized the “pay what you want” model for game bundles, often with a portion of proceeds going to charity.Unlike Humble’s themed bundles, Humble Choice offers a curated selection of about eight games each month as part of the subscription. The best part is that they're yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your subscription. Since it’s a month-to-month service, you can easily skip a month if the lineup doesn’t appeal to you, then resubscribe when something catches your eye.Games often come with a Steam key for redemption on PC (and Mac or Linux, when supported), but many can also be played directly through the Humble app on Windows. Your subscription also includes access to the Vault, a collection of over 50 DRM-free indie games available through the app.Humble Choice members also get up to 20% off purchases in the Humble Store, where you can grab even more titles for PC, Mac, and Linux. And to top it all off, 5% of your subscription cost goes to charity!Gaming Subscriptions FAQWhich game streaming services have free trials?As of writing, the only services that offer free trials are Nintendo Switch Online, which features a 7-day free trial, and Apple Arcade with a generous 1-month trial. Xbox no longer has a promotion for Game Pass Ultimate (aside from PC Game Pass), as Microsoft pulled its $1 offer from consoles in late 2024. Likewise, Sony doesn't offer free trials for PlayStation Plus aside from limited-time regional offers.How much should you spend on a gaming subscription?This largely depends on how you like to play. If you tend to sink hundreds of hours into a single game, a subscription might not offer the best value, and you might be better off buying games à la carte. But if you enjoy bouncing between different genres and trying new things or curating an extensive backlog for yourself, game subscriptions can be well worth it.It’s also worth thinking about how much you typically spend on games each month. If you're budget-conscious, subscriptions offer strong value, giving you access to hundreds of games for a relatively low price. On the other hand, if you regularly buy new releases at launch, you might not get much out of a subscription, aside from the occasional older title you missed. One exception is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Since it includes day-one access to Xbox first-party titles, the cost of a single new game could cover several months of Game Pass.Matthew Adler has written for IGN since 2019 covering all things gaming, tech, tabletop games, and more. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.