• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechMobile Gaming

Apple Arcade vs. Google Play Pass: Which Will Score More Points With Gamers?

By
Lisa Marie Segarra
Lisa Marie Segarra
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lisa Marie Segarra
Lisa Marie Segarra
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 25, 2019, 5:38 PM ET

Google announced new details about its Play Pass video game subscription service Monday, coming in right off the Sept. 19 launch of Apple Arcade.

Google Play Pass comes with similar offerings to Apple’s new game service, which gives Google an edge against their frequent tech competitor. The new subscription offering will likely prove to bring further rivalry, as Apple pivots its business model toward services as opposed to hardware.

Pricing

Google’s Play Pass launches this week with 350 games and apps for $4.99 a month. Apple Arcade is also priced at $4.99, but focuses specifically on games. Both can be used by up to six family members and are offering deals at launch. Apple Arcade is free for the first month, and Play Pass is $1.99 per month for its first year.

Both Play Pass and Apple Arcade seem evenly matched on pricing, but Play Pass offers more bang for your buck, as well as more flexibility with its library.

Games

With only about 100 games at the moment, Apple Arcade has fewer titles, but its selection is more curated. Apple is working with some well-known developers like Konami pad its library, but the games are exclusives, making Apple Arcade more of a niche service.

While Apple Arcade’s games are only available through its service (and not able to be purchased by non-subscribing Apple device owners), Play Pass apps are available for individual purchase by any Android user. Google Play Pass also has some titles that already have dedicated followings, like Stardew Valley, Limbo, and Risk. It also features big name apps like AccuWeather.

Apple Arcade is tailored for users who want an indie and Apple-approved gaming experience. Unlike Play Pass, which takes a more hands-off approach, Apple is throwing its weight and money behind Apple Arcade. But the games don’t have the mass market appeal that Play Pass titles do.

Device Compatibility

There’s also the important detail of how to play Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass games. iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac users can take advantage of Apple Arcade subscriptions. Play Pass is available on Android mobile, tablet, and computer devices with the Play Store. Play Pass also works on Android-equipped smart TVs.

While the addition of Apple and Google’s new video game services add yet more subscriptions to mull over, neither service has a must-have experience. That said, both are inexpensive enough (or free) to get people to at least try—and then remain subscribed to, because the prices—and titles—are right.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—The cheapest mobile plans for your iPhone 11
—What is quantum supremacy, and why is it such a computing milestone?
—Beyoncé was sued for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. And you could be, too
—Meet the women leading Netflix into the streaming wars
—Why Discord is one of tech’s hottest startups
Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily digest on the business of tech.

About the Author
By Lisa Marie Segarra
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Sergey Brin
SuccessEducation
Google’s Sergey Brin admits he’s hiring ‘tons’ of workers without degrees: ‘They just figure things out on their own in some weird corner’
By Preston ForeJanuary 12, 2026
5 hours ago
Photo of Jeff Bezos
SuccessJeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos tells Gen Z entrepreneurs to gain work experience before launching new companies: ‘I started Amazon when I was 30’
By Sydney LakeJanuary 12, 2026
8 hours ago
paramount
CommentaryM&A
A cautionary Hollywood tale: the Ellisons’ lose-lose Paramount positioning
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen HenriquesJanuary 12, 2026
9 hours ago
CryptoCryptocurrency
How a Harvard grad helped make Hyperliquid the biggest new player in crypto—with just 11 people and no venture funding
By Ben Weiss and Leo SchwartzJanuary 12, 2026
10 hours ago
EuropeEurope's Most Innovative Companies
Help Fortune find Europe’s Most Innovative Companies 2026
By Fortune EditorsJanuary 12, 2026
10 hours ago
NewslettersTerm Sheet
World Liberty Financial’s bid for a U.S. bank charter raises new questions about Trump’s crypto conflicts
By Leo SchwartzJanuary 12, 2026
10 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
This CEO laid off nearly 80% of his staff because they refused to adopt AI fast enough. 2 years later, he says he'd do it again
By Nick LichtenbergJanuary 11, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
‘Sell America’: Investors dump U.S. assets in fear of the end of Fed independence
By Jim EdwardsJanuary 12, 2026
11 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
A Supreme Court ruling that strikes down Trump's tariffs would be the fastest way to revive the stalling job market, top economist says
By Jason MaJanuary 11, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Trump may be raising your taxes with his tariffs but he could actually cut inflation with them, too, SF Fed says
By Jake AngeloJanuary 6, 2026
6 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
An exec at $62 billion giant Colgate says Gen Z workers, despite getting flak for being woke and lazy, are actually ‘pushing us to get better’
By Emma BurleighJanuary 10, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Commentary
I run one of America's most successful remote work programs and the critics are right. Their solutions are all wrong, though
By Justin HarlanJanuary 11, 2026
1 day ago

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.