Game Pass for PC does not include Discord Nitro
Xbox Game Pass for PC (also called Game Pass for Windows) gives you access to hundreds of games, cloud saves, and Xbox Play Anywhere titles. It does not bundle Discord Nitro, the premium subscription service that adds features like custom emojis, higher upload limits, and ad-free streaming. These are two separate subscriptions from two different companies, and you pay for each one independently.
Microsoft and Discord have never packaged Nitro into Game Pass, even though both companies operate in the gaming space. If you want Nitro perks, you need a Discord Nitro subscription on top of whatever Game Pass plan you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Game Pass for PC includes hundreds of games and cloud saves, but Discord Nitro is a separate paid subscription you must buy directly from Discord.
- Game Pass for PC costs one monthly fee; Discord Nitro costs a different monthly fee, and the two services do not overlap.
- Some Discord Nitro features (like custom emojis and server boosts) have no equivalent in Game Pass, and vice versa.
- If you see a promotion claiming Game Pass includes Nitro, it is a third-party offer, not an official Microsoft or Discord partnership.
What Game Pass for PC actually covers
Game Pass for PC is a subscription that lets you read and play games from Microsoft's library on your Windows computer. The current library includes titles like Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, and hundreds of others. You get cloud saves so your progress syncs across devices, and you can play games offline after you read them.
The subscription also includes Xbox Play Anywhere, which means if a game is marked as Play Anywhere, you own it on both PC and Xbox—you do not have to buy it twice. Game Pass does not include a Discord account, Discord Nitro, or any Discord features.
What Discord Nitro includes instead
Discord Nitro is a separate subscription from Discord, the chat and voice platform. Nitro adds cosmetic and convenience features: custom emojis in any server, the ability to upload larger files, a custom Discord tag, animated avatars, and the option to boost servers (which unlocks perks for the whole community).
Nitro does not give you games or access to Game Pass. It is purely a Discord enhancement. If you use Discord to chat with friends while playing Game Pass games, Nitro makes your Discord experience fancier, but it does not change what games you can play or how Game Pass works.
How to tell if a promotion is real
Occasionally you may see ads or posts claiming Game Pass includes Nitro or offering both together at a discount. These are almost always third-party resellers or scams, not official offers from Microsoft or Discord. Neither company has ever bundled these services.
If you want to check for real promotions, visit the official Xbox Game Pass website (xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass) or the official Discord Nitro page (discord.com/nitro). Legitimate offers appear there first. If a deal sounds too good to be true and you cannot find it on the official site, it probably is not real.
Pricing and how to subscribe separately
Game Pass for PC costs a monthly subscription fee (the exact amount varies by region and whether you choose the standard or premium tier). You can sign up through the Xbox app on Windows or through the Xbox website using a Microsoft account.
Discord Nitro has its own separate monthly cost and is purchased directly through Discord. You log into Discord, go to User Settings, select Subscriptions, and choose Nitro. The two subscriptions are billed separately and do not interact with each other.
Why these services stay separate
Microsoft owns Game Pass and Xbox. Discord is owned by a different company (Tencent holds a major stake, though Discord remains independent). Because they are separate businesses, they do not bundle their services together. Each company wants you to pay for what you use from them directly.
This is common in the tech industry—Netflix does not include Spotify, and PlayStation Plus does not include Discord Nitro either. Each service focuses on what it does best and lets you mix and match subscriptions based on what you actually want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Game Pass games with Discord Nitro features?
Yes. If you have both subscriptions, you can play Game Pass games while using Discord to chat with friends, and your Nitro features (like custom emojis) will work in Discord. But Nitro does not unlock anything inside the games themselves or give you access to more games in Game Pass.
Is there any bundle that includes both Game Pass and Discord Nitro?
No official bundle exists from Microsoft or Discord. If you see one advertised, it is from a reseller and may not be legitimate. Buy directly from Xbox (for Game Pass) and Discord (for Nitro) to be sure you are getting what you paid for.
Do I need Discord Nitro to play Game Pass games online?
No. You do not need Discord Nitro to play Game Pass games, to use Game Pass online multiplayer, or to chat on Discord. Nitro is optional and only adds cosmetic features to Discord itself.
What if I already have Game Pass—do I get a discount on Nitro?
Game Pass does not come with a Nitro discount. You pay the full price for Nitro if you want it. Check the official Discord website to see current Nitro pricing in your region.