What is Nintendo Switch Online used for?

Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo's membership for online play, a library of classic games and cloud saves, with family plans and a free trial. It is a good fit for switch owners playing online multiplayer, families sharing one membership and players revisiting classic Nintendo games.

How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?

Paid plans for Nintendo Switch Online start at $19.99 per year, and there is no free plan. A free trial is available.

Is Nintendo Switch Online open source?

No. Nintendo Switch Online is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the Games & Emulation category, open-source options include Cemu, Sunshine and Proton.

What are some alternatives to Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online competes with Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus.

Nintendo Switch Online: features, pricing and alternatives

About Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership for Nintendo Switch players. It enables online play in compatible games, access to a library of classic Nintendo games through Nintendo Classics, and cloud storage for save data, along with offers for members.

Nintendo sells several tiers, including a standard membership and the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and also has a Nintendo Music app for members. A family membership covers up to eight Nintendo accounts, and a free seven-day trial lets new users try it before paying.

It is a hosted commercial subscription. Nintendo's US site lists $19.99 per year for an individual membership and $34.99 per year for a family membership. It suits Switch owners who play online or enjoy retro Nintendo titles.

Key features

Online play in compatible games
Nintendo Classics game library
Cloud save data backup
Expansion Pack tier
Family membership for multiple accounts
Free seven-day trial

Good fit for

→Switch owners playing online multiplayer
→Families sharing one membership
→Players revisiting classic Nintendo games

Tags: game-subscription; nintendo; online-play; retro-games; cloud-saves; console

Nintendo Switch Online: questions and answers

What is Nintendo Switch Online used for?: Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo's membership for online play, a library of classic games and cloud saves, with family plans and a free trial. It is a good fit for switch owners playing online multiplayer, families sharing one membership and players revisiting classic Nintendo games.
How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?: Paid plans for Nintendo Switch Online start at $19.99 per year, and there is no free plan. A free trial is available.
Is Nintendo Switch Online open source?: No. Nintendo Switch Online is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the Games & Emulation category, open-source options include Cemu, Sunshine and Proton.
What are some alternatives to Nintendo Switch Online?: Nintendo Switch Online competes with Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus.