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Difference Between Xbox Gift Cards and Xbox Live Gold Cards

They are fundamentally different products for different purposes.

FeatureXbox Gift Card (formerly Xbox Live Gift Card / Microsoft Gift Card)Xbox Live Gold Card (Subscription Code)
PurposeAdds **currency balance** to your Microsoft Account wallet.Redeems a **time-based subscription** (1, 3, 6, 12 months) for Xbox Live Gold / Game Pass Core.
What It BuysGames, DLC, movies, apps, in-game currency, hardware (on Microsoft Store), *or* a Gold/Game Pass subscription.**Only** the subscription service. Cannot buy games directly.
RedemptionStore → Redeem Code → Adds $XX.XX to "Microsoft Account Balance."Store → Redeem Code → Activates "Xbox Live Gold / Game Pass Core" membership.
FlexibilityHigh — spend on anything in Microsoft ecosystem (Windows, Xbox, Surface).None — locked to subscription duration.
Region LockYes (card currency must match account billing region).Yes (code region must match account region).

Current Naming (2024)

  • "Xbox Live Gold" is now "Game Pass Core" (since Sept 2023). Cards labeled "Xbox Live Gold" still work but redeem as Game Pass Core.
  • "Xbox Gift Card" = "Microsoft Gift Card." Same code, works on Windows Store too.

Which Do You Need?

  • Want to buy a specific game/DLC? → **Xbox / Microsoft Gift Card.**
  • Want online multiplayer (free-to-play excluded) + monthly free games + discounts? → **Game Pass Core (formerly Gold) Card.**
  • Want *both* + hundreds of games (EA Play, cloud, day-one releases)? → **Game Pass Ultimate** (buy via Gift Card or direct debit).
Xbox Live
Xbox Live

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