The Benefits of Buying Xbox Live Gold

Xbox Live Gold is the premium version of the Xbox Live service on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. But, is it worth the extra cost? We break it down for you.

Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles come with a free version of Xbox Live. The basic service allows subscribers to play offline video games, download items from the Xbox Live Marketplace, chat with friends, and use popular entertainment apps like Netflix. It also provides access to apps like Internet Explorer, Skype, and OneDrive.

Xbox Live Gold subscribers get all the basic perks, plus a few extras, including:

• Access to online multiplayer.
• Discounts on digital titles at Deals with Gold.
• Quicker access to demos and betas.
• Free games at Games With Gold.

Deals with Gold is included with a Xbox Live Gold subscription and it offers weekly discounts on select Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles, add-ons, and more in the Microsoft Store. The savings typically range between 50-75% off.

The Games with Gold program is also included in a Xbox Live Gold subscription and it offers free, hand-selected titles every month. Microsoft claims they are worth up to $700 per year.

On Xbox One, new Games with Gold titles become available on the first and the sixteenth day of every month. Once they are redeemed and added to your library, they're playable as long as you maintain an active Xbox Live Gold account. If you cancel, you lose access to them. But, if you renew your subscription, the games become playable again.

On Xbox 360, Games with Gold titles are also available on the first and the sixteenth day of every month. These games are yours to keep, even if you cancel your Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Xbox Live Gold currently offers three pricing tiers:

• One month: $9.99
• Three months: $24.99
• One year: $59.99

To join, pick up a subscription card at a retailer like GameStop or Walmart, or sign up for an account online at the Microsoft Store or on your Xbox console.

Picking a pricing tier depends on how you plan to use the subscription. For example, if you plan to use Xbox Live Gold throughout the entire year, paying for the 12-month subscription up front will save money. If you pay on a month-to-month basis for 12 months, it costs around $120, while the 12-month subscription costs $60. But, if you plan to play a new multiplayer game for a month or two, consider one of the other pricing options.

There are ways to get cheaper Xbox Live Gold subscriptions. Microsoft sometimes includes free trials with new consoles and games. It also occasionally offers “Try Gold For Free” promotions in the Microsoft Store. Plus, retailers like Best Buy and Amazon often sell subscription cards at a discount.

You don't need Xbox Live Gold if you're happy playing games offline. You can still try game demos, watch Netflix or Hulu, access Skype, and more. But, if you want to play multiplayer games, Xbox Live Gold is a necessity.