NVIDIA is moving ahead with its long-announced plan to limit monthly playtime on GeForce Now, with the restriction set to apply broadly starting January 1, 2026. While the policy was first revealed in late 2024, it largely escaped sustained backlash at the time because existing subscribers were temporarily exempt. That grace period is now ending, bringing renewed scrutiny to the decision.
Under the updated terms, nearly all paid GeForce Now subscribers will be subject to a 100-hour monthly cap on cloud gaming. NVIDIA recently updated its official FAQ to confirm that the restriction will now apply to most users, with only a narrow exception remaining.
What’s changing in January 2026
Beginning January 1, GeForce Now’s paid tiers will operate under the following limits and pricing structure:
- Performance tier (formerly Priority): $9.99 per month
- Ultimate tier: $19.99 per month
Both tiers will be capped at 100 hours of playtime per month. Users who exceed that limit can purchase additional time:
- Performance tier: $2.99 for 15 extra hours
- Ultimate tier: $5.99 for 15 extra hours
Unused time is not entirely lost. Subscribers can roll over up to 15 unused hours into the following month. The free tier remains unchanged, with a one-hour session limit per time.
The only group exempt from the cap is Founder Members—users who subscribed before March 17, 2021. As long as they maintain continuous service without cancelling, they will retain unlimited playtime.
A tougher pill to swallow in 2026
NVIDIA has justified the cap by stating it allows subscription prices to “remain the same for the foreseeable future.” However, the timing has made the policy feel more painful than when it was first announced. Throughout 2025, the cost of PC gaming has increased sharply, encompassing not only hardware and components but also software and subscriptions. Against that backdrop, limiting access to a paid cloud gaming service has sparked renewed frustration among users.
When the concept was initially introduced, cloud gaming was still widely viewed as a secondary option—something used in conjunction with a local gaming PC or console. For many players, GeForce Now served as a convenience tool, particularly for devices like handheld PCs that struggle with demanding titles. In that context, 100 hours per month felt generous enough for casual use.
As streaming services increasingly become a primary way to play games, however, the restriction now carries more weight. With the January deadline approaching, user criticism has resurfaced, reflecting broader concerns about rising costs and shrinking value in the modern PC gaming ecosystem.
For most GeForce Now subscribers, the countdown has officially begun.
