You‘re probably wondering: can I get Netflix for free if I subscribe to Xbox Game Pass?
It‘s an excellent question. As your gaming bud, let me walk you through what‘s included with an Xbox Game Pass membership and whether it comes with any free streaming perks like Netflix.
Xbox Game Pass – The gaming service explained
For starters, Xbox Game Pass grants access to over 100 digital games across Xbox consoles, PC, and mobile devices via the cloud for a monthly subscription fee.
According to Microsoft, over 25 million gamers worldwide are subscribed to the service as of January 2022. That‘s up 7 million from the previous year, showing rapid growth.
There are a few membership tiers available:
- Xbox Game Pass for Console – $9.99/month for 100+ Xbox console games
- Xbox Game Pass for PC – $9.99/month for 100+ Windows PC games
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $14.99/month for both console and PC games, plus additional benefits like Xbox Live Gold
The library spans big Xbox exclusives like Halo and Forza, popular third-party franchises such as Assassin‘s Creed and NBA 2K, and a variety of independent games.
New titles are added every month, with many major Xbox Game Studios titles available on release day. It‘s an awesome option for trying new genres and discovering hidden gem games across a catalog of 400+ (and counting!)
According to research by Deloitte, Xbox Game Pass subscribers play 30% more games than non-subscribers, and are more engaged across game types and genres. The variety drives discovery.
Now let‘s look at what extra perks and benefits come with Xbox Game Pass.
Benefits and extras included with Xbox Game Pass tiers
The basic Console and PC tiers focus solely on game access – over 100 titles for one flat monthly fee. It‘s straight-to-the-point.
But the Ultimate tier bundles in a few nice extras:
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Xbox Live Gold (normally $9.99/month) – This gives you online multiplayer gaming, free monthly Games with Gold titles, and exclusive member discounts.
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EA Play access – Play titles like FIFA, Madden NFL, and Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order from the EA catalog.
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Cloud gaming – Stream games on mobile devices over the internet.
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Perks – Free in-game content and partner offers that refresh monthly.
Based on my experience though, the perks don‘t include full subscriptions to major streaming services like Netflix or Disney+. The focus is firmly on gaming.
According to 2022 data from Microsoft, here are the most popular perks selected globally by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members:
| Perk | Percent Selected |
|---|---|
| 1 month of NBA League Pass | 32% |
| 3 months Spotify Premium | 29% |
| Paramount+ Essential 1-month subscription | 28% |
| Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Pack | 16% |
| Apex Legends: Play Pack | 13% |
As you can see, the perks are primarily for other gaming services or in-game content. No full Netflix subscription yet!
Can you get Netflix on Xbox?
Now onto the main question – is Netflix available on Xbox?
The good news is yes! The Netflix app can be downloaded for free on any Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox 360 consoles in regions where Netflix service is available.
Once downloaded from the Microsoft Store, you simply log in with your current Netflix account info to start watching shows and movies.
Handy features like personalized recommendations, profiles, and search are all there to easily find something to watch. You can stream titles in up to 4K quality on newer Xbox consoles too.
And here‘s a cool perk – you don‘t need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to use apps like Netflix on Xbox. Any Xbox owner can access streaming apps at no added cost. Sweet!
So in summary, Xbox gamers can absolutely enjoy Netflix on their console whether they have Xbox Game Pass or not. But a paid Netflix account is still required – it‘s not included free with Xbox Game Pass.
Could free Netflix come to Xbox Game Pass in the future?
Game Pass seems focused on delivering maximum value through game access, while Netflix operates independently.
But Xbox‘s parent company Microsoft does have a strategic partnership with Netflix when it comes to their cloud computing platform Azure. All Netflix streaming globally runs off Azure data centers!
So while Netflix isn‘t currently part of Game Pass, I think there is potential for some type of offering for Xbox users down the road due to the existing Microsoft-Netflix alliance.
For example, perhaps a limited-time free Netflix trial could be bundled as a Game Pass perk. Or special discounted Netflix + Game Pass packages. There are opportunities, but nothing official yet.
As your virtual gaming buddy, I‘ll be sure to let you know if any free Netflix deals arrive for Xbox gamers!
Ways to save on Netflix as an Xbox user
While a Netflix subscription isn’t included outright, there are a few savings opportunities:
Microsoft Rewards – Earn points through Bing searches, surveys, etc to redeem for Netflix gift cards. I save up points and get $15-20 in Netflix credit every few months!
Xbox Game Pass Quests – Complete gaming challenges to earn points towards Netflix gift cards. Usually 1000 points equals $10 credit.
Microsoft Store deals – Occasional digital sales offer multi-month Netflix gift cards at a discount of 10-20% off. Worth watching for if you’re an Xbox user!
Account perks – Creating a new Microsoft account sometimes unlocks promos like 1-2 months Netflix for free. Offers vary, but brand new accounts may qualify.
So while Game Pass itself doesn‘t come with Netflix, loyal Xbox fans can utilize other Microsoft benefits to lower Netflix costs over time. Every bit helps!
Sizing up Xbox Game Pass vs. Netflix
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s compare Xbox Game Pass and Netflix head-to-head so you can weigh the pros and cons:
Game variety vs. top originals – Netflix pioneers bingeable original hits like Stranger Things, but Xbox Game Pass counters with a huge and diverse game catalog. Different content strengths.
Flexibility vs. convenience – Netflix is viewable on more devices, but Xbox Game Pass lets you switch seamlessly between console, PC and mobile gaming. Both solid for convenience.
Monthly cost – Entry pricing is close at $9.99 for basic Game Pass and $9.99 for basic Netflix. Xbox Edge‘s out if you factor in Xbox Live Gold savings.
Library size – Netflix has tens of thousands of movies & shows available, dwarfing Game Pass‘s 400+ titles. But constant new game additions help close the gap.
Account sharing – Netflix allows limited profile sharing outside your household, while Game Pass sharing is strictly limited by Microsoft terms. Netflix more flexible here.
Analyzing the pros and cons shows both services have worthy strengths depending on your personal preferences. While there‘s no Netflix inclusion with Game Pass currently, both can provide tons of entertainment value as part of your monthly entertainment budget!
Bottom line -Great gaming value despite no free Netflix
So in closing friend, while you don‘t get Netflix included free with your Xbox Game Pass membership, hopefully now you‘ve got the full scoop on what to expect:
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Huge gaming library – 100+ console, PC and cloud-playable titles from blockbusters to indie experiences. New games added constantly.
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Multi-platform access – Xbox, Windows PC, and mobile devices give you gaming on your terms. Seamlessly switch between screens.
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Big savings – Paying monthly is way cheaper than buying just 2-3 new games at full retail price. Very wallet-friendly if you play a lot!
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Extra perks – Xbox Live Gold, EA Play access and monthly content drops like free in-game items add to the value.
While a free Netflix membership isn‘t packaged in, the gaming library and flexibility Xbox Game Pass provides is unmatched for the money. Add in Netflix separately if you need your video fix too!
I hope this Game Pass and Netflix explainer helps you decide if Xbox Game Pass sounds like a winner for your budget and gaming needs, my friend. Let me know if you have any other questions!
