Gaming Gaming Services 234 234 people found this article helpful The Benefits of Buying Xbox Live Gold The differences between Xbox Live and Xbox Live Gold explained by Eric Qualls Writer Former Lifewire writer Eric Qualls has been covering the Xbox line of consoles and Xbox games since August 2004. our editorial process Twitter LinkedIn Eric Qualls Updated on February 25, 2020 reviewed by Ryan Perian Lifewire Tech Review Board Member Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. our review board Article reviewed on Oct 15, 2020 Ryan Perian Xbox Buyer's Guide Xbox Buyer's Guide Introduction Xbox Basics Best Xbox 360 Console For You Xbox Basics The Original Xbox One Xbox Family Settings What Is Xbox Live? How Much Does Xbox Live Cost? What is Xbox Live Gold? Buying Xbox Live Gold Xbox One Console Bundles Xbox One Exclusives Best Xbox One Games The Best Xbox One Games The Best Xbox One X Games Best Multiplayer Xbox One Games Best First-Person Shooter Games Best Xbox One RPGs Best Xbox One War Games Best Xbox One Kids Games Best Xbox One Sports Games Best Split-Screen Xbox One Games Best Xbox One Fantasy Games Best Co-Op Games on Xbox One Best Xbox One Racing Games Best Xbox One Zombie Games Best Open-World Xbox One Games Best Xbox One Strategy Games Best Xbox One Puzzle Games Best Xbox One Shooter Games Best Xbox 360 Games Best Xbox 360 Games By Genre Best Xbox 360 Kinect Games Best Xbox 360 Games Best Xbox 360 Local Multiplayer Games Best Xbox 360 RPGs Best Xbox 360 First-Person Shooters Best Xbox 360 Fighting Games Best Kids Xbox 360 & Kinect Games Xbox Essentials Best Xbox One Accessories Best Xbox One Headsets Best Xbox Controllers Best Xbox One Apps Xbox Reviews Xbox One Elite Controller Review Xbox One Energizer Charging System Review Xbox One S Controller Review Xbox One X Review Xbox One Chatpad Review Tweet Share Email 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. One Xbox Live Gold subscription is needed per Xbox One console, which lets everyone in a family play online multiplayer games with their own accounts. In contrast, the Xbox 360 requires each account to have its own subscription. Xbox Live Gold vs. Xbox Live 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. Xbox Live Gold is not the same as Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's streaming games service. With Xbox Game Pass, subscribers can play over 100 games anytime for a monthly fee. What Is Deals 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. What Is Games With Gold? 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. Microsoft 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. How Much Does Xbox Live Gold Cost? Xbox Live Gold currently offers three pricing tiers: One month: $9.99Three months: $24.99One 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 upfront 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. Is Xbox Live Gold Worth It? 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.