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No. GeForce NOW is mainly cloud hardware for streaming compatible PC games you own or can access through a supported subscription. Xbox Game Pass is mainly a rotating game library, with Xbox Cloud Gaming included on eligible plans. You can use them together for some PC games, but Game Pass does not unlock its entire catalog on GeForce NOW.
The difference at a glance
| Question | GeForce NOW | Xbox Game Pass |
|---|---|---|
| What does the subscription provide? | Cloud PC hardware and streaming for compatible games tied to supported stores or subscriptions. | Access to a changing game library, with benefits depending on the plan. |
| Are games included? | Generally no. You need to own or otherwise have access to a compatible game. | Yes. You can play games in the catalog while they are available and your plan includes them. |
| Is cloud streaming included? | Yes, through NVIDIA’s cloud gaming service. | Xbox Cloud Gaming is included with eligible plans, including Ultimate. |
| Best fit | Players with supported PC games who want to stream them on less powerful devices. | Players who want to try a broad, rotating selection without buying every game. |
The products are not direct substitutes: Game Pass answers “What games can I access?” while GeForce NOW answers “Where can I run a compatible PC game?”
What GeForce NOW gives you
GeForce NOW runs supported PC games on NVIDIA cloud hardware and streams the video to a supported PC, Mac, browser, phone, tablet, TV, handheld, or other device. It can spare you local downloads and updates, and it can let a low-powered computer play games it could not run well on its own. Device and app support varies; check NVIDIA’s system requirements.
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You connect eligible accounts and launch supported games from storefronts such as Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and PC Game Pass. NVIDIA advertises more than 4,500 PC games, but that does not mean every game is included free or every title in your accounts is playable. Standard catalog support and Install-to-Play are distinct, and compatibility depends on the title, storefront, membership, and region. See NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW overview and membership details.
#1 Best Overall
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Get the full Game Pass experience with 500+ games across your devices. Includes Fortnite Crew, EA Play, and Ubisoft+ Classics, plus our highest-quality cloud streaming and member perks.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play Forza Horizon 6, High on Life 2, and Halo: Campaign Evolved the same day they launch.
- PLAY ACROSS DEVICES: Download games on Xbox console, PC, and supported handhelds. Skip the download and stream games on any supported device, including mobile, tablet, TV, and VR headset.
- CLOUD GAMING: Stream games at our best quality with the shortest wait times, including select games you own.
- FORTNITE CREW INCLUDED: Get access to the current Battle Pass, OG Pass, LEGO Pass, Music Pass, and Rocket Pass Premium. In addition, get 1,000 V-Bucks each month.
As a U.S. price snapshot from August 18, 2026, NVIDIA’s marketplace listed Performance at $9.99 per month and Ultimate at $19.99 per month; a free ad-supported option and day passes were also listed. These are regional prices that can change. The paid tiers differ in access and advertised streaming features; neither turns GeForce NOW into a game-library subscription. Check the NVIDIA marketplace for current availability and pricing.
What Xbox Game Pass gives you
“Game Pass” can mean different plans. PC Game Pass is a Windows PC game-library subscription with day-one releases and other benefits, but it does not mean every included PC game can be streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW. Game Pass Ultimate combines console and PC access with Xbox Cloud Gaming and additional benefits.
On its U.S. plan page, Xbox described Ultimate as including 500+ games, day-one releases, EA Play, Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics, and cloud gaming. The catalog, benefits, and availability vary by plan, region, platform, and time; a catalog subscription is access, not permanent ownership. As of August 18, 2026, the U.S. page listed Ultimate at $22.99 per month and PC Game Pass at $13.99 per month. Prices can change and differ by region. See Xbox’s Game Pass plans and its plan comparison.
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- GAME PASS ESSENTIAL: Enjoy a curated library of 50+ games and essential Xbox features in one subscription.
- PLAY LEGENDARY FRANCHISES: Enjoy fan favorites like Fallout 76, Hades, Stardew Valley, and more on any screen.
- PLAY ACROSS DEVICES: Download games on Xbox console, PC, and supported handhelds. Skip the download and stream games on any supported device, including mobile, tablet, TV, and VR headset.
- CLOUD GAMING: Stream games, including select games you already own.
- EARN REWARDS POINTS: Play and earn up to $25 a year in Microsoft Rewards. Earn Microsoft Rewards points on eligible purchases and gameplay.
Xbox Cloud Gaming is Microsoft’s own streaming service, not GeForce NOW under another name. It streams supported games through Microsoft’s infrastructure to eligible devices and requires an eligible plan. Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming page lists service and device information.
Can you play Game Pass games on GeForce NOW?
Some selected PC Game Pass games can be launched through GeForce NOW, but the title must be supported by NVIDIA and the correct PC version or storefront must be available. Linking an Xbox or Microsoft account does not make the whole Game Pass catalog accessible through NVIDIA. The two companies maintain separate catalogs and compatibility rules.
Before subscribing, search for the exact game in GeForce NOW and confirm the supported storefront and account path. A game available through Xbox Cloud Gaming may not have a supported PC version on GeForce NOW. Likewise, owning an Xbox console version does not automatically give you a PC license. A PC purchase, a PC Game Pass entitlement, an Xbox console license, and an Xbox cloud entitlement are not interchangeable.
Rank #3
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Get the full Game Pass experience with 500+ games across your devices. Includes Fortnite Crew, EA Play, and Ubisoft+ Classics, plus our highest-quality cloud streaming and member perks.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play Forza Horizon 6, High on Life 2, and Halo: Campaign Evolved the same day they launch.
- PLAY ACROSS DEVICES: Download games on Xbox console, PC, and supported handhelds. Skip the download and stream games on any supported device, including mobile, tablet, TV, and VR headset.
- CLOUD GAMING: Stream games at our best quality with the shortest wait times, including select games you own.
- FORTNITE CREW INCLUDED: Get access to the current Battle Pass, OG Pass, LEGO Pass, Music Pass, and Rocket Pass Premium. In addition, get 1,000 V-Bucks each month.
If a title appears in Game Pass but will not launch on GeForce NOW, check whether its PC version is included, whether NVIDIA supports that version and storefront, and whether the necessary account is linked. Catalog changes, regional licensing, launcher requirements, and authentication can also affect availability. NVIDIA explains its supported libraries at GeForce NOW; Xbox explains its separate streaming service at Xbox Cloud Gaming.
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This is the closer comparison if your question is specifically about streaming. Both send a game running remotely to your device, but the service models and game entitlements differ.
Games and ownership
GeForce NOW streams supported PC versions connected to eligible stores or subscriptions, so you generally bring your own game access. Xbox Cloud Gaming streams supported titles available through an eligible Xbox plan or other supported entitlement. In either case, “available on the service” depends on the specific game and entitlement; one service’s compatibility does not imply compatibility with the other.
Rank #4
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- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Graphics and performance
GeForce NOW is built around PC game versions and NVIDIA cloud GPUs. NVIDIA advertises RTX 5080-class performance for Ultimate, with modes up to 5K at 120 frames per second under supported conditions. Those are advertised capabilities, not a guarantee that every game, device, region, or connection will reach them. Xbox Cloud Gaming uses Microsoft’s Xbox cloud infrastructure and supported Xbox or cloud versions; actual image quality and performance depend on the title, device, network, and plan.
There is no universal winner based on a headline resolution. Compare the exact game, device, location, network, and plan you will use. NVIDIA recommends less than 80 ms latency to a data center and lists bandwidth requirements from 15 Mbps for HD at up to 60 fps to 45 Mbps for 4K/120 and 65 Mbps for 5K/120, depending on the target mode. These are requirements or recommendations, not promises of quality. Wi-Fi congestion, jitter, packet loss, and distance can matter as much as download speed. Check NVIDIA’s requirements.
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Devices and controls
Both services support a range of devices, but availability and features are not identical everywhere. GeForce NOW supports various PCs, Macs, browsers, mobile devices, TVs, handhelds, and SHIELD devices; Xbox Cloud Gaming supports browsers, phones, tablets, consoles, and selected TVs and other devices. Confirm the exact device, browser or app, controller support, and regional availability on the services’ NVIDIA requirements and Xbox Cloud Gaming pages.
Best Value
- GAME PASS ESSENTIAL: Enjoy a curated library of 50+ games and essential Xbox features in one subscription.
- PLAY LEGENDARY FRANCHISES: Enjoy fan favorites like Fallout 76, Hades, Stardew Valley, and more on any screen.
- PLAY ACROSS DEVICES: Download games on Xbox console, PC, and supported handhelds. Skip the download and stream games on any supported device, including mobile, tablet, TV, and VR headset.
- CLOUD GAMING: Stream games, including select games you already own.
- EARN REWARDS POINTS: Play and earn up to $25 a year in Microsoft Rewards. Earn Microsoft Rewards points on eligible purchases and gameplay.
Which service should you choose?
Choose GeForce NOW if you already have PC games
- You own games across supported PC storefronts and want to stream them without relying on a rotating subscription catalog.
- You use a Mac, inexpensive laptop, handheld, or TV and want access to compatible PC versions.
- You value NVIDIA’s advertised PC-oriented features and accept that support is title-by-title.
Choose Game Pass if you want a library to explore
- You want to try many games without purchasing each one individually.
- You want PC or console access, day-one releases, or bundled benefits available on your chosen plan.
- You want Xbox Cloud Gaming included through an eligible plan rather than to stream your own PC storefront library.
Consider both if you want catalog access and cloud-PC streaming
A combined subscription can make sense if you want PC Game Pass for its library and GeForce NOW for supported games that your local hardware cannot run well. It also means paying two services, and only selected titles overlap. Confirm your must-play games before paying for both.
Consider neither for offline play or unsupported games
Cloud gaming is a poor fit if your connection is unreliable, latency is unacceptable, you need offline access, or your games depend on unsupported mods, launchers, anti-cheat systems, or specialized peripherals. A local PC or console offers more control and offline play, at the cost of buying and maintaining hardware.
How to use PC Game Pass with GeForce NOW
- Subscribe to PC Game Pass if you want its PC catalog; subscribe separately to GeForce NOW if you want NVIDIA’s cloud hardware.
- Link the Microsoft/Xbox account in GeForce NOW, following the current in-app account connection prompts.
- Search GeForce NOW for the exact game and verify that its PC Game Pass or Microsoft Store version is supported.
- Launch the title through the listed storefront and sign in when prompted. If it is not listed for the right version, Game Pass access alone will not make it work.
Test the network and a specific game with GeForce NOW’s free tier or a day pass where available before committing to a longer membership. Install-to-Play can involve cloud-side installation or storage setup, even though ordinary supported sessions avoid installing the game on your own device; details are on NVIDIA’s play guide.
Quick Recap
Common assumptions that cause confusion
- “It is on Game Pass, so it must be on GeForce NOW.” No: only selected, supported PC titles work through NVIDIA.
- “I bought the Xbox version, so I own the PC version.” Not necessarily. A console license does not automatically grant a PC storefront license.
- “GeForce NOW supports every Steam game.” It does not. Check the catalog and distinguish standard support from eligible Install-to-Play titles at NVIDIA’s membership page.
- “Game Pass means no waiting for cloud gaming.” Queue times depend on plan and service conditions. Xbox advertises shorter waits for Ultimate, not guaranteed instant access; see the plan comparison.
- “Streaming removes every installation step.” Standard sessions avoid local game installation, but Install-to-Play may require cloud-side setup or storage, as described in NVIDIA’s play guide.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
