Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus and Game Pass explained: which tier do you need?
What each console subscription includes, which tier you need just to play online, and when the bigger tiers are worth it — without the marketing.
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Short version. To play most games online with other people, every console needs its entry-level subscription: Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus Essential or Xbox Game Pass Essential. The higher tiers add libraries of games you can play while subscribed. Free-to-play games such as Fortnite are generally playable online without a subscription.
Subscriptions are the cost most new console owners forget. Here's what each one does. We've left out prices on purpose: all three companies changed prices or tiers during 2025 and 2026, so check the current price before you buy.
Nintendo Switch Online (Switch 2 and Switch)
| Tier | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online | Online play, cloud saves for most games, a library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games |
| + Expansion Pack | Everything above, plus more classic libraries (such as Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance) and selected add-on content for some Nintendo games. On Switch 2, Nintendo has also added GameCube classics for Expansion Pack members. |
Family memberships cover up to eight Nintendo Accounts and are usually the best value for households with several players.
PlayStation Plus (PS5)
| Tier | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Essential | Online multiplayer, cloud saves, monthly games to claim |
| Extra | Everything in Essential, plus a large catalog of PS5 and PS4 games to play while subscribed |
| Premium | Everything in Extra, plus classic PlayStation games, game trials and cloud streaming |
Games claimed through Essential stay playable only while you're subscribed.
Xbox Game Pass (Xbox Series X|S and PC)
Microsoft restructured Game Pass in 2025 into Essential, Premium and Ultimate tiers for console, with a separate PC Game Pass.
| Tier | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Essential | Online multiplayer and a smaller game library |
| Premium | A larger game library |
| Ultimate | The full library, including Microsoft's new games on launch day, cloud gaming and extra benefits |
Exact libraries and benefits change; Microsoft lists the details on Xbox's website.
Which tier is right?
- Plays online with friends, buys their own games: the entry tier is enough.
- Plays lots of different games and likes to try new ones: a library tier can replace buying several games a year.
- Loves classic games: Nintendo's Expansion Pack or PlayStation Plus Premium.
- Child under 10 who plays offline: often none at all.
Ways to save
- Pay yearly, not monthly, if you know you'll keep it.
- Use gift cards to pay, which also avoids storing a card on a child's account.
- Turn off auto-renewal and decide each year.
- Family plans (Nintendo) beat several individual memberships.
Nintendo Switch Online memberships · PlayStation Plus · Xbox Game Pass
Facts, prices and policies in this article were checked in November 2026. Prices, bundles and store rules change often — always confirm on the product page before you buy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
