What is Google Stadia, how much does it cost and what do you need?

Google’s cloud gaming platform is available across 22 countries, including the UK and US, in its paid and free forms.

Called Stadia, it is the company’s “Netflix of games” – of sorts – with games hosted on remote servers and video streamed to connected devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers and TVs.

But what does Stadia offer? And how does it differ from other cloud gaming services?

How Google Stadia works

Google Stadia is a cloud gaming service whereby games can be purchased and played, but don’t have to be downloaded to a console or PC.

That’s because, through multiple connected devices, including phones, laptops and TVs, you play the game in real time, but it’s actually run on a remote Stadia server somewhere else in the world. The video of the gameplay is transmitted to your device over the internet, while the control codes from a game controller are sent in the other direction.

The biggest hurdle other similar services have encountered over the years is latency – the time it takes from the moment you move the controller thumbstick or press a button to the action occurring on screen.

But, where Stadia differs from some other platforms, such as Nvidia GeForce Now and PlayStation Now, is that its servers are placed in a vast number of locations around the globe. That shortens the distance between player and a server to stream from.

In addition, Google has developed a dedicated Stadia controller that connects to the internet directly via Wi-Fi, rather than your device (when you are playing at home, at least). That means it sends controller codes without having to submit them to your phone, tablet or other connected device first. That cuts down on milliseconds of latency and, in gaming, that really matters.

Usually on a cloud gaming platform, once you’ve pressed a button the signal has to be transmitted (most often through Bluetooth) to the receiving device, then sent over an internet connection. It is subsequently read by the source device, sent back to the receiving device, then transmitted to your TV (if not using a smartphone or tablet screen). Each of these actions take time and that can be vital to smooth gaming experiences as milliseconds can be the difference between avoiding a bullet or being shot in the face.

It also works with many third-party Bluetooth controllers (including the Xbox Wireless Controller) but they could introduce a little extra latency in comparison with the official controller.

Google Stadia compatible devices

Google Stadia doesn’t need a dedicated device as it is playable through existing connected devices.

For computer use, Stadia works through the Google Chrome internet browser. It is therefore available on PC, Mac and Chromebooks without extra dedicated software or devices.

It can also be found on select Smart TVs, including some from LG and Hisense. Models featuring Android TV, such as those from Sony or Philips, can also access the Stadia app.

Alternatively, you can add an Nvidia Shield TV to your setup, as that carries Android TV too. Other Android TV set-top-boxes may be compatible.

Of course, Google’s own Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV can be used to play Stadia games as well.

In terms of mobile use, both Android and iOS are supported, although the latter requires a bit of a work around.

All Android phones are compatible, although many only work in “Experiment” mode. That means they aren’t officially supported unless they are on the optimised phone list below, so could exhibit some bugs.

Google Stadia supported mobile device list

Apple iPhone (through Safari)Apple iPad (through Safari)Asus ROG PhoneAsus ROG Phone IIAsus ROG Phone IIIGoogle Pixel 2Google Pixel 2 XLGoogle Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLGoogle Pixel 4Google Pixel 4 XLGoogle Pixel 4aGoogle Pixel 4a 5GGoogle Pixel 5Google Pixel 5aGoogle Pixel 6Google Pixel 6 ProLG V50 ThinQLG V50S ThinQLG V60 ThinQLG G7 ThinQLG G8 ThinQLG WingOnePlus 5OnePlus 5TOnePlus 6OnePlus 6TOnePlus 7OnePlus 7 ProOnePlus 7 Pro 5GOnePlus 7TOnePlus 7T ProOnePlus 7T Pro 5GOnePlus 8

OnePlus 8 ProOnePlus 8TOnePlus NordOnePlus Nord N10 5GOnePlus Nord N100Razer PhoneRazer Phone 2Samsung Galaxy Note 8Samsung Galaxy Note 9Samsung Galaxy Note 10Samsung Galaxy Note 10+Samsung Galaxy Note 20Samsung Galaxy Note 20 UltraSamsung Galaxy S8Samsung Galaxy S8+Samsung Galaxy S8 ActiveSamsung Galaxy S9Samsung Galaxy S9+Samsung Galaxy S10Samsung Galaxy S10+Samsung Galaxy S20Samsung Galaxy S20+Samsung Galaxy S20 UltraSamsung Galaxy S21Samsung Galaxy S21+Samsung Galaxy S21 UltraSamsung Galaxy Tab A
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7Samsung Galaxy Tab S5eSamsung Galaxy Tab S6Samsung Galaxy Tab S7Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

As well as the dedicated Stadia controller, compatible phone users can link an Xbox Wireless Controller or PlayStation DualShock 4 controller to their device via Bluetooth to play Stadia games.

Touch controls are also now available when playing games on mobile devices, although the more complicated games are hard to play using the screen.

Can you play Stadia games over mobile data?

In October 2020, Google officially added the ability to play Stadia games over a 4G or 5G connection on a mobile device.

It could be used in beta form before, but it now works fully and can be switched on or off in settings.

How much does Google Stadia cost?

There are two levels of membership: Stadia Pro, which is paid for, and plain Stadia, a free access plan.

Stadia Pro membership costs £8.99 per month in the UK, $9.99 per month in the US, and €9.99 in other European countries. That gives users up to 4K HDR gameplay and 5.1 surround sound. However, you still have to buy the majority of games on top.

That’s because, while Stadia Pro membership entitles users to add several free games per month to their libraries – a bit like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold – it isn’t an all-you-can-eat service.

A Stadia Premiere Edition bundle is available as a kind-of starter pack. Priced at £69.99 ($79.99) it includes a Clearly White Stadia controller and a Chromecast Ultra capable of streaming 4K HDR gameplay to your TV. To keep the cost down (it was a lot more expensive previously), you no longer get a voucher code for Stadia Pro membership, but all new users get a free trial anyway.

It is available for free for one month, whether you purchase the Premiere Edition or not. It will then revert to £8.99/$9.99/€9.99 after the trial is over, but you can opt out easily before then.

The alternative plan was originally known as Stadia Base, but is now just plain old Stadia. It is a pay as you go plan – you have to buy games individually, as with Pro, but don’t get any free monthly games included. Standard Stadia is also restricted to a maximum of 1080p and stereo sound. The benefit, however, is that you don’t have to pay any monthly subscription fees.

You can revert to the free Stadia membership after your free trial of Stadia Pro is over.

With both membership options, purchased games will forever be assigned to your Stadia account and you can play them as often as you like. 

Pricing for new games is determined by developers and publishers. They are around the same price as console titles.

Separate Stadia controllers are available in Just Black, Clearly White and Wasabi colourways at £59 ($69) each.

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Google Stadia game list

The Stadia games list is ever-expanding. Here is the confirmed game list so far:

Available Stadia games (as of 6 January 2022):

A Place for the UnwillingArk: Survival EvolvedAry and ythe Secret of SeasonsAssassin’s Creed 3 RemasteredAssassin’s Creed Black FlagAssassin’s Creed OdysseyAssassin’s Creed Liberation HDAssassin’s Creed OriginsAssassin’s Creed Rogue RemasteredAssassin’s Creed SyndicateAssassin’s Creed UnityAssassin’s Creed ValhallaAttack on Titan 2: Final BattleAVICII InvectorBaldur’s Gate 3 (Early Access)Ben 10: Power TripBlaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City RacersBloodstained: Ritual of the NightBlue FireBorderlands 3Cake BashCelesteChicken Police – Paint it Red!Child of LightChorusChronos: Before the AshesControl Ultimate EditionCosmic Star HeroineCraytaCris TalesCthulhu Saves ChristmasCyberpunk 2077Darksiders GenesisDarksiders IIIDarkwoodDead by DaylightDestiny 2Destroy All Humans!Dirt 5Disco ElysiumDoomDoom 64Doom EternalDragon Ball Xenoverse 2Dragon Ball Z: KakarotDragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive AgeDreamWorks Dragons: Dawn of New RidersDReamWorks Spirit Lucky’s Big AdventureEl Hijo – A Wild West TaleEmbrEnter the GungeonEpistory – Typing ChroniclesEverspaceF1 2020Family FeudFar Cry 5Far Cry 6Far Cry New DawnFarming Simulator 19Farming Simulator 22FIFA 21FIFA 22FigmentFinal Fantasy XVFloor KidsForeclosedFrom SpaceGet PackedGhost Recon WildlandsGigantosaurus The GameGods Will FallGridGrimeGunsportGyltHeist Simulator (Early Access)Hello EngineerHello NeighbourHello Neighbour: Hide and SeekHellpointHitmanHitman 2Hitman 3Hotline MiamiHotline Miami 2: Wrong NumberHuman Fall FlatHumankindHundred Days – Winemaking SimulatorHunting Simulator 2Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty AdventureImmortals Fenyx RisingInto the BreachIt Came from Space and Ate Our BrainsJotun: Valhalla EditionJourney to the Savage PlanetJudgmentJust Dance 2021Just Dance 2022Just Shapes & BeatsKatamari Damacy RerollKaze and the Wild MasksKemono HeroesKiller Queen BlackKineKonaLara Croft and the Guardian of LightLara Croft and the Temple of OsirisLegend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon ManagerLife is Strange Remastered – coming 1 February 2022Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered – coming 1 February 2022Life is Strange: True ColorsLittle Big WorkshopLittle NightmaresLittle Nightmares IILost Words: Beyond the PageMadden NFL 21Madden NFL 22Mafia III: Definitive Edition

Marvel AvengersMerek’s MarketMetro 2033 ReduxMetro ExodusMetro Last Light ReduxMonopolyMonster Boy and the Cursed KingdomMonster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 3Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 4Monster Jam Steel TitansMonster Jam Steel Titans 2MoonlighterMortal Kombat 11MotoGP 20Murder by NumbersMy Friend Peppa PigNanotale – Typing ChroniclesNBA 2K20NBA 2K21Octopath TravelerOlympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video GameOne Hand ClappingOne Piece World SeekerOrcs Must Die 3OutcastersOutridersOutwardPac-Man Mega Tunnel BattlePanzer Dragoon: RemakePaw Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure BayPaw Patrol The Movie: Adventure City AwaitsPGA Tour 2K21Phoenix PointPHOGS!PikunikuPixelJunk RaidersPJ Masks: Heroes of the NightPlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)Power Rangers: Battle for the GridRage 2Rainbow Six Extraction –  coming 20 January 2022Rayman LegendsRed Dead Redemption 2ReignsRelictaRépubliqueResident Evil 7 biohazardResident Evil VillageRiders RebublicRise of the Tomb RaiderRisk of Rain 2Rock of Ages 3: Make & BreakSaints Row: The Third RemasteredSaints Row IV: Re-ElectedSamurai ShodownScott Pilgrim vs The WorldSecret NeighbourSekiro: Shadows Die TwiceSerious Sam CollectionSerious Sam 4

Shadow of the Tomb RaiderShantae: Half-Genie HeroShantae: Risky’s RevengeSniper Elite 4SpiritfarerSpitlingsSpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom RehydratedStacks on Stacks (on Stacks)Star Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderSteamWorld DigSteamWorld Dig 2SteamWorld HeistSteamWorld Quest: Hand of GilgamechStrange BrigadeStreet Power FootballStreets of Rage 4Submerged: Hidden DepthsSundered: Eldritch EditionSuper Animal RoyaleSuper Bomberman R OnlineSuperhotSuperhot: Mind Control DeleteTerrariaThe Addams Family: Mansion MayhemThe Crew 2The Darkside DetectiveThe Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the DarkThe Division 2The Elder Scrolls OnlineThe FalconeerThe Gardens BetweenThe Jackbox Party Pack 6The Jackbox Party Pack 7The Jackbox Party Pack 8The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IIIThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IVThe Turing TestThumperTohuTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon BreakpointTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon WildlandsTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six SiegeTomb Raider: Definitive EditionTransformers: BattlegroundsTrials RisingTrine 4UnoUnto The EndValkyria Chronicles 4 Complete EditionWatch DogsWatch Dogs 2Watch Dogs LegionWave BreakWavetaleWelcome to ElkWest of LoathingWindboundWolfenstein: YoungbloodWreckfestWWE 2K BattlegroundsYoung SoulsYs VIII: Lacrimosa of DanaYs IX: Monstrum NoxZombie Army 4: Dead War

What broadband speeds do you need to run Google Stadia?

Google claims that Stadia is capable of running games in up to 4K HDR and at 60 frames-per-second.

It is also capable of up to 5.1 surround sound through Chromecast and the Chrome browser. However, all video performance and sound quality will be determined by your broadband connection and require a Stadia Pro subscription (standard Stadia membership maxes at 1080p).

For the best experience – 4K HDR at 60fps and with 5.1 sound – you really need a recommended speed of 35Mbps. However, games will still run from a recommended, absolute minimum speed of 10Mbps. You will likely be restricted to 720p and stereo, but should still get 60fps.

You can check your speed using a dedicated online test here.

Google makes a bold claim that, sometime in the future, Stadia will be capable of streaming in up to 8K and at 120fps. However, that is a long way off and will require far greater internet speeds than many national averages.

NOTE: The resolution of Stadia games is determined by the developers and publishers, not Google. So, while you may be a Pro member and have a Chromecast Ultra or compatible PC running the Chrome browser, a game might not be outputting native 4K HDR. And while you could be receiving 4K HDR video at your end, you might find that the game, such as Destiny 2, is locked to 1080p for performance.

Where is Stadia available?

Stadia is currently available in the following countries: UK, US, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.