If you picked up an Xbox One S or an Xbox One X recently, chances are you've gotten a notification or an email about Xbox Live Gold. Because you're probably already bogged down with subscription services like Netflix, HBO Now, Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Prime, you're probably wondering if it's worth the extra expense. We decided to break down what Xbox Live Gold is, what benefits it provides, and answer some questions you may have, so you can determine if you need it or not.
What is Xbox Live Gold?
Xbox Live Gold is Microsoft's membership program for Xbox owners. If you're switching over from the PlayStation, Gold is Microsoft's equivalent to Sony's PlayStation Plus subscription service. Membership connects you with an online community of gamers, so you can play with friends, voice chat, and play other gamers internationally.
What benefits do members get?
Not only does Gold connect you with other Xbox One owners, but the service also expands your gaming horizons by granting you access to game downloads and early-access demos, so you can experience games before the public.
Some games are free, but most are member-only sales with discounts up to 80% off. Microsoft says that Gold members can get up to $700 in free games during a year of membership, which includes backward-compatible Xbox 360 games for your Xbox One.
Free games available with any Xbox Live Gold membership.
How much does Xbox Live Gold cost?
Microsoft charges $10 per month for Xbox Live Gold, or you can pay $25 for a three-month membership or $60 for a one-year membership. You can buy three-month, six-month, and 12-month memberships on Amazon, too!
Is membership required?
Xbox owners don't need to pay for Xbox Live Gold if they don't want to. Microsoft has a free tier just called Xbox Live that still gives you access to game demos, entertainment apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and ESPN, among others. Plus, you can chat with friends through Skype. You can't play against other gamers with the free tier, though.
Can you play online with PlayStation 4 owners?
Unfortunately, cross-platform play isn't possible between the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Microsoft and Sony are direct competitors with one another, so they want to keep players locked into their own separate ecosystems. Microsoft does allow Xbox One gamers playing Rocket League to face off against Nintendo Switch and PC players.
Can you get discounted memberships?
If you pay attention to deals or coupons, occasionally retailers like Amazon have discounts on digital download codes for Xbox Live Gold memberships. For instance, on Black Friday, Amazon sold three-month memberships for $10.
How often do you have to pay for a membership?
You can pay for memberships one month at a time, every three months, or every year. If you enroll on your Xbox with a credit card, there's also the option to turn off auto-renew, so your card won't get automatically charged. Here are the steps on how to do that.
Also, if you want, you can redeem an Xbox Live Gold card or code anytime online or on your Xbox One.
Xbox Live Gold memberships are available in three time-period commitments.
How do you cancel?
If you want to cancel your account, you can do so at any time, even if you previously redeemed a prepaid 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription. You can cancel your account here.
So, do you need Xbox Live Gold?
Ultimately, no, you don't need Xbox Live Gold. You can still play your games offline, without access to the internet. However, if you want to compete and play with or against other gamers, you'll probably want to sign up.
If you have a busy schedule and rarely pick up your Xbox One controller, there's no need for the extra expense. For those who download a lot of games and love the thrill of multiplayer online gaming, Xbox Live Gold is a great thing to have.
More from Best Products:
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Xbox One Games that You Won't Want to Stop Playing
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Brandon Carte
Senior Electronics Editor
Brandon Carte is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering technology, gadgets and appliances. His reporting has been featured on Best Products, Top Ten Revies, Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.
