Sony (PS4, PS5) has introduced its new model for PS Plus. What does PS Plus offer and how does it compare to Microsoft’s Game Pass (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)? MeinMMO presents the similarities and differences.
Sony has introduced its new subscription model for PS Plus. Many are now wondering for whom PS Plus could be worthwhile and what the Game Pass is all about.
In our article, we want to compare PS Plus with the Game Pass. We will explain what both subscriptions offer and what you get for your money. Afterwards, we will look at where the similarities and differences lie.
Although Sony has not compared its new PS Plus model with the Game Pass, these are the key subscription services for the current consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X).
Price
How much does PS Plus cost? The new PS Plus model offers you three price tiers:
- PlayStation Plus Essential: Monthly: €8.99; quarterly: €24.99 or yearly: €59.99
- PlayStation Plus Extra: Monthly: €13.99, quarterly: €39.99, yearly: €99.99
- PlayStation Plus Premium: Monthly: €16.99, quarterly: €49.99, yearly: €119.99
How much does the Xbox Game Pass cost? Microsoft offers three different models of the Game Pass that you can subscribe to:
- PC Game Pass: Monthly €9.99, quarterly €29.99, yearly €120
- Xbox Game Pass: Monthly €9.99, quarterly €29.99, yearly €120
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Monthly €12.99, quarterly €38.99, yearly €140
With a trick, you can actually save a lot of money when purchasing the Xbox Game Pass. You can now also purchase the Xbox Series X|S in combination with the Game Pass. Whether and for whom “Xbox All Access” could be worthwhile, read here on MeinMMO:
Content and Benefits
What does PS Plus offer? With PS Plus Essential, you get the same service that you previously had with PS Plus. This includes two free games per month, exclusive discounts in the PS Store, cloud storage space, and online multiplayer.
With PS Plus Extra, you get an additional 400 games that you can access at any time with your subscription, in addition to the benefits of “Essential”. You can only download the games, not stream them.
With PS Plus Premium, you get the advantages of “Essential” and “Extra” and gain access to an additional 340 games. Here, you can also stream PS1, PS2, and PS3 titles on your PS4 or PS5.
| Price in Euro (1 Month) | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|
| PS Plus Essential | 8.99 | Free games exclusive discounts in the PS Store Cloud storage for saves Online multiplayer |
| PS Plus Extra | 13.99 | Free games exclusive discounts in the PS Store Cloud storage for saves Online multiplayer Access to 400 games |
| PS Plus Premium | 16.99 | Free games exclusive discounts in the PS Store Cloud storage for saves Online multiplayer Access to 740 games |
What does the Game Pass offer? Both the PC Game Pass and the Xbox Game Pass give you access to an extensive game library. Microsoft regularly adds games to the list but also removes some games. With the Game Pass, you can also play some games directly at release without extra cost. For PC players, the Game Pass offers access to EA Play, EA’s subscription service.
With the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you get access to online multiplayer on Xbox and can use Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, you can grab a few free games each month (Games With Gold).
| Price in Euro (1 Month) | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|
| PC Game Pass | 9.99 | Access to games without extra cost Subscription service “EA Play” AAA games at release |
| Xbox Game Pass | 9.99 | Access to games without extra cost AAA games at release |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | 12.99 | Access to games without extra cost AAA games at release Online multiplayer Free games (Games with Gold) Xbox Subscription service “EA Play” Cloud gaming |
Games
What does PS Plus offer? PS Plus offers you a few free games every month in “Essential” that you can add to your library. With “Extra” and “Premium”, you gain access to up to 740 games, which you can play on your PS4 and PS5 without extra cost. Both PS4 and PS5 games are expected to be included.
What does the Game Pass offer? Currently, the Game Pass offers more than 300 games. This includes blockbusters that you can also play on PC. Some games like older Xbox One or Xbox 360 titles can only be played on an Xbox. Many blockbusters can be played on release without extra cost on PC and/or Xbox with the Game Pass.
PS Plus vs Xbox Game Pass – Where are the differences and similarities?
These are the similarities: Both the Game Pass Ultimate (or Xbox Gold) and PS Plus are essential if you want to utilize online multiplayer on the consoles.
Both subscription services provide you access to a ton of games that you can play on your console without extra cost. Both services can be paid for digitally or via gift card from stores.
These are the differences: The biggest and most important difference is that with the Game Pass, you can play many games directly at release. Games like Halo Infinite or Forza Horizon 5 could be played on the first day (Day One) with the Game Pass. Sony does not offer this with PS Plus, but says that nothing is set in stone for now.
In “Game Pass Ultimate,” you also get access to EA’s subscription service “EA Play,” where you have access to many more games. On PlayStation, “EA Play” is not included in PS Plus and is also not expected to be included in the new model.
Another difference is that you can use the “Game Pass Ultimate” on both Windows PC and Xbox. In contrast, PS Plus does not offer such a hybrid model, and you cannot play your PlayStation games on a Windows PC.
Another difference is that you can use the “Game Pass Ultimate” on both Windows PC and Xbox. In contrast, PS Plus does not offer such a hybrid model, and you cannot play your PlayStation games on a Windows PC.
