Today’s gaming options are vast compared to the options just a decade ago. While those old enough may remember having to insert a disk and install the content; a painful process which could take up to a couple of hours to complete on the likes of a PC monitor, games today do not even need to be installed.
Two of the top contenders in the gaming field are PlayStation and Xbox. Both have been offering games and console devices for a number of years, in which they are both a household name across the globe. What has made these two companies so successful is their ability to adapt and provide the latest technology available, much like that of online casinos.
One of the best features about modern gaming is that you no longer need to purchase physical or digital copies of a game once it is released. While this is absolutely still an option for those that prefer that, many of today’s most popular gaming services now provide streaming services and subscriptions, meaning you get access to much more gaming titles for a fraction of the price.
So, if you’re considering a gaming subscription but can’t decide which one to go with, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll discuss the differences between PlayStation Plus and the Xbox gaming pass.
Available titles
Both the PlayStation Plus subscription and Xbox game pass offer access to a huge variety of gaming titles that you can live stream and also download. PlayStation Plus has three available tiers, depending on your gaming usage, there is Essential, Extra and Premium. The latter two options offer hundreds more titles from the PS4 and PS5 collection, although bear in mind that if you have a PS3 then you may not be able to download some of the latest content from these collections as the PS3 can only handle legacy games.
In addition, Premium members are able to stream all of the content instead of downloading it. They are also working on offering the latest PS5 titles through streaming channels for premium customers too. What’s more, Plus and Premium customers can stream content to a PC as well as their console. You will also have access to a wide range of Ubisoft titles too, adding even more value to the PlayStation offering.
As for the Xbox game pass, it is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. On Windows 10 and 11 PCs, it’s called PC Game Pass. There’s a huge catalog of games available to you, although you do have to download them to your console so you may have to purchase extra storage space if you don’t have much room available on your console. Another drawback is that titles come and go on the Xbox game pass, so if you decide you love a title and want to keep playing it then you will have to purchase it on top of your gaming subscription, all be it at a discounted rate. As such, the Xbox gaming pass seems somewhat like a way to trial gaming titles before you buy them, as opposed to accessing a huge range og games to play whenever you want to.
The cost
When it comes down to the cost of these two subscription services, they are roughly the same, although you get more for your money with some of the options. Take a look at the comparison table below for the latest prices.
| Plan | Price |
| Xbox Game Pass for Console | $10 a month |
| Xbox Game Pass for PC | $10 a month |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $15 a month |
| PlayStation Plus Essential | $10 a month, $25 quarterly, $60 per year |
| PlayStation Plus Extra | $15 a month, $40 quarterly, $100 a year |
| PlayStation Plus Premium | $18 a month, $50 quarterly, $120 a year |
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/xbox-game-pass-vs-playstation-plus
As you can see, you get roughly the same thing from both options for the amount you pay. However, with Xbox, the monthly price is fixed and there is no way to pay upfront. With the PlayStation passes, not only are they tiered with different options, but you can choose to spread the cost over different times, which also makes it convenient to offer as a gift for a family member or friend who loves gaming too.
Overall, when it comes to the PlayStation and the Xbox offering, both are very similar and offer great options for accessing a huge variety of top-quality video games. While the PlayStation Plus subscription offers access to the very latest gaming titles, including PS5 content for the higher tier subscriptions, the Xbox live game pass offers access to a huge EA gaming library packed with top quality games.
It’s a hard decision but overall, it comes down to what your preferences are and the style of games you enjoy playing.