Xbox Cloud Gaming Launches Pay-As-You-Go Pricing Starting at $3.99 for 10 Hours
Microsoft’s new Xbox Cloud Gaming bundles let non-subscribers stream ad-free, higher-quality gameplay without monthly expiration: 10 hours cost $3.99, 25 cost $7.99, and 50 cost $11.99. Insiders can buy now, ahead of the November 2026 public rollout.
Microsoft is introducing a pay-as-you-go pricing model for Xbox Cloud Gaming in November 2026, allowing players to stream games without an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Bundles of cloud hours will start at $3.99 for 10 hours of playtime.
Xbox Insiders without a Game Pass subscription can begin purchasing cloud hour bundles today at introductory launch pricing, ahead of the broader public rollout next month. The available tiers are: 10 hours for $3.99, 25 hours for $7.99, and 50 hours for $11.99.
All bundles include ad-free streaming, shorter wait times, and higher-quality streaming. The hours do not expire on a monthly basis — once purchased, a bundle remains available until the hours are used.
The new pricing option arrives ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI, for which Microsoft has secured cloud streaming rights. However, Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball stated on X that Microsoft will not be streaming Grand Theft Auto VI to PCs, which suggests the title may not be available through the web browsers and apps that typically support Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Microsoft is also continuing to test a free, ad-supported cloud gaming option for Xbox Insiders. That tier is limited to games players already own and caps sessions at one hour.
The pay-as-you-go model may appeal to players who want occasional access to cloud gaming without committing to a recurring subscription. With multiple pricing tiers and no expiration on purchased hours, the structure gives users flexibility in how they consume cloud playtime.