Short version

• Xbox Game Pass (Microsoft) is focused on a large, frequently updated library with many day‑one releases on its highest tier (Ultimate). It also emphasizes cloud play across devices, PC access, and bundled extras (EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics, Fortnite Crew on Ultimate). (news.Xbox.com)
• PlayStation Plus (Sony) offers three tiers that are generally cheaper for equivalent months/years, focuses on a curated downloadable catalog (Extra) and legacy/streaming classics (Premium), and — unlike Xbox — usually does not put first‑party PS5 day‑one titles into the service. It leans more on console/first‑party ownership and classic titles rather than day‑one handing out of new first‑party games. (blog.PlayStation.com)

Detailed comparison (as of October 2025)

1. Tiers & typical US prices (monthly)

• Xbox Game Pass

  • Essential — $9.99/mo (curated ~50+ titles, online multiplayer, cloud gaming).
  • Premium — $14.99/mo (expanded library ~200+ titles on console/PC, unlimited cloud gaming but no guaranteed day‑one).
  • Ultimate — $29.99/mo (largest library ~400+ games, day‑one Xbox first‑party releases, best cloud streaming quality, EA Play/Ubisoft+ Classics/Fortnite Crew included). (news.Xbox.com)

• PlayStation Plus

  • Essential — $9.99/mo (online multiplayer, two monthly monthly games, cloud saves).
  • Extra — $14.99/mo (library of hundreds of PS4/PS5 downloadable games).
  • Premium — $17.99/mo (adds legacy generation games via streaming/download, plus game trials and cloud streaming features). (blog.PlayStation.com)

2. Day‑one first‑party releases

• Xbox: Ultimate subscribers typically get Xbox Game Studios day‑one releases on the service — Microsoft has explicitly expanded the number of day‑one titles included in Ultimate. That’s a major differentiator. (news.Xbox.com)
• PlayStation: Sony has said it is not generally putting most first‑party PS5 day‑one titles into PS Plus; it selectively adds a few third‑party day‑and‑date titles but mostly adds games when they are older (months/years after launch). (pushsquare.com)

3. Cloud & multi‑device play

• Xbox: Heavy emphasis on Xbox Cloud Gaming (now broadly available across lower tiers) with improved streaming quality on Ultimate (up to 1440p) and PC access via PC Game Pass + the Xbox app / cloud. Good for playing on phones, tablets, low‑spec PCs. (news.Xbox.com)
• PlayStation: Cloud streaming is primarily a Premium benefit; Sony also supports streaming to devices like the PlayStation Portal and has a sizable catalog of cloud‑enabled titles for Premium subscribers. Sony’s cloud approach is more tier‑restricted than the new Game Pass model. (blog.PlayStation.com)

4. PC support

• Xbox Game Pass: Strong PC focus (PC Game Pass / Ultimate includes PC library and many PC‑only perks). PC access is a core selling point. (news.Xbox.com)
• PlayStation Plus: Historically focused on consoles; Premium offers some PC streaming for legacy titles in supported markets but PS Plus Extra/Essential are console‑centric. (blog.PlayStation.com)

5. Extra subscriptions/perks bundled

• Xbox Ultimate: EA Play was previously included and remains a common perk; Microsoft now adds Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew on Ultimate, plus a revamped Rewards program. These extend value beyond just the game library. (news.Xbox.com)
• PlayStation Plus: Perks include monthly free games, discounts, cloud saves, and with Premium, classic libraries and time‑limited trials. Sony focuses on classic titles and curated catalogs rather than partner subscription bundles. (blog.PlayStation.com)

6. Library philosophy & content turnover

• Xbox: Very large, fast‑changing catalog with many new additions and removals; Microsoft markets frequent day‑one additions (Ultimate) and large install/play/stream flexibility. Good if you want to try a lot of games and play big new releases without buying them. (news.Xbox.com)
• PlayStation: More curated, with emphasis on quality blockbuster and classic PlayStation titles; the Extra/Premium libraries are large but Sony tends not to match Game Pass’s day‑one strategy for its first‑party blockbusters. Good if you mainly play PlayStation exclusives, classic titles, or prefer keeping a smaller set of top console games. (blog.PlayStation.com)

Which should you pick?

• Choose Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate) if: you value day‑one first‑party releases, want strong cross‑device cloud play, use PC and Xbox both, and like trying many titles frequently — and you’re okay paying the premium monthly price. (news.Xbox.com)
• Choose PlayStation Plus (Extra/Premium) if: you play primarily on PlayStation, care about PlayStation exclusives and a strong catalog of PS4/PS5 and classic games, and want lower monthly/yearly cost for a broad downloadable library and legacy titles. (blog.PlayStation.com)

Notes & caveats

• Pricing, included titles, and which games are day‑one can change frequently. The summaries above reflect official Microsoft and Sony announcements and reporting through October 2025 — if you want the absolutely current price or to check whether a specific game is on either service right now, I can look that up for the US (I’ll confirm exact dates and links). (news.Xbox.com)

If you tell me which platform(s) you own (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, or none) and whether day‑one releases or price matters more to you, I’ll give a quick recommendation tailored to your situation.