Apple Arcade

Paid#2 of 23 in Game Subscription Services

Apple Arcade: A polished Apple-only game subscription with offline play and Family Sharing. Ranked #2 of 23 in Game Subscription Services by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Paid; best for apple households wanting polished ad-free games.

9.2/10★★★★★Editor score

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At a glance

• Editor score
  9.2 / 10
• Pricing
  Paid
• Best for
  Apple households wanting polished ad-free games
• Free plan
  No
• Paid from
  $49.99/yr
• Supported platforms
  iOS, macOS, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro
• Founded
  1976
• Facts checked
  22 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Ad-free games with no in-app purchases
  • Offline play, controller support, and progress synchronization
  • Family Sharing for up to five additional family members

• Where it doesn't

  • Coverage is limited to compatible Apple devices
  • There is no free plan
  • Some features depend on compatible games or devices

Our verdict on Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is a paid game subscription service for people who want unlimited access to a catalog of premium games across compatible Apple devices. Its library includes Arcade Originals and App Store Greats, with new games and content updates added regularly. The service supports ad-free play without in-app purchases, offline play for supported games, controller support for compatible titles, and progress synchronization across compatible devices. Family Sharing also makes it relevant for Apple households with multiple players.

The published plans show two options: Apple Arcade Monthly costs $6.99 per month, while Apple Arcade Annual costs $49.99 per year. Both plans include unlimited access to Apple Arcade games, no ads or in-app purchases, and Family Sharing with up to five additional family members. Apple lists a one-month free trial, while the annual plan provides the lower stated cost over a year. There is no free plan, so the service suits households prepared to pay for a dedicated games subscription.

Platform coverage is the defining fit. Apple describes access across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, and Apple Vision Pro, with play online or offline across compatible devices. Controller support and synchronization add flexibility when supported by the game and device. The main limitation is that the service is centered on Apple hardware rather than broad cross-platform access. Choose Apple Arcade if your household already uses compatible Apple devices and values ad-free games, offline play, and shared access; choose another service if wider device coverage matters more.

Your product? Our editors can test Apple Arcade in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Apple Arcade pricing

All 2 Apple Arcade plans and prices →

Apple Arcade fact sheet

Alternatives to Apple Arcade

• Xbox Game PassA broad multi-device subscription with rotating libraries, cloud play, and tiered benefits.9.4
• Antstream ArcadeA broad retro-game subscription with streaming, challenges, multiplayer, and cloud saves.9.1
• Orange Jeux MobileA weekly Orange subscription for unlimited, ad-free access to 2,500+ mobile games.8.9

See all Apple Arcade alternatives →

Apple Arcade vs the competition

• Apple Arcade vs Xbox Game Pass
• Apple Arcade vs Antstream Arcade
• Apple Arcade vs Orange Jeux Mobile
• Apple Arcade vs SFR Jeux Illimité
• Apple Arcade vs Vodafone Juegos
• Apple Arcade vs GameMine

Compare Apple Arcade with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update