What is the best gaming subscription service?

Libraries you rent, catalogues you keep, and back catalogues stretching to the 1980s. What counts as good value shifts with how often you actually switch a game on.

1

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Microsoft's library subscription with first-party games on release day, plus cloud streaming.

2

PlayStation Plus Premium

Sony's top tier, bundling online play with a back catalogue reaching to the PS1 era.

3

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Nintendo's service, priced low and built almost entirely on retro libraries.

4

PC Game Pass

The Windows-only tier of Microsoft's library, without the console or cloud extras.

5

PlayStation Plus Essential

The base tier: online multiplayer, cloud saves and a handful of monthly games.

6

Nintendo Switch Online

The cheaper base tier, covering online play and the NES and SNES libraries.

7

EA Play

Electronic Arts' catalogue subscription, sold on its own and folded into Game Pass.

8

Ubisoft+

Ubisoft's subscription offering its new releases at launch across PC and console.

9

Apple Arcade

Apple's ad-free, in-app-purchase-free games service across iPhone, iPad, Mac and TV.

10

GeForce NOW

Nvidia's cloud service that streams games you already own rather than lending a library.

11

Amazon Luna

Amazon's cloud gaming service, sold in themed channels and tied to Prime.

12

Humble Choice

A monthly PC bundle that gives you keys to keep rather than access that expires.

13

Xbox Game Pass Core

The entry tier that covers online multiplayer and a small fixed catalogue.