Nvidia GeForce Now will limit monthly play to 100 hours for everyone in 2025

GeForce Now running on a Steam Deck
(Image credit: Future)

Going into 2025, Nvidia announced a significant change to the GeForce Now cloud gaming platform that could court some controversy, especially among power users.

Next year, everyone — including premium tier subscribers — will see monthly streaming time limited to 100 hours. For subscribers, that is quite a hefty number of hours but wipes out the unlimited playtime that has been available.

If you are unaware, Nvidia GeForce Now is a cloud gaming platform that lets you stream several games, including some of the latest AAA titles. It can be installed on your Steam Deck or streaming via the app on your TV or even on non-gaming laptops like a Chromebook. This year, they added the ability to stream Xbox games.

The limit was introduced in a Nvidia blog post (via PC World). However, if you are currently signed up or purchase an account between now and December 31, you will be grandfathered into unlimited streaming through 2025. That ends in 2026, though.

In the announcement post, Nvidia says the limit is being introduced to "continue providing exceptional quality and speed — as well as shorter queue times." Nvidia claims a 100-hour limit will be enough for "94% of members" who don't play more than that in a month. That number might include free tier members who only get access to "one hour per session." If you're a subscriber, you can see how many hours you've accumulated in a month in your account portal.

GeForce Now Ultimate Cyberpunk 2077

(Image credit: Future)

If you overrun the 100-hour limit, you'll need to pay an additional $3 for 15 extra hours on the Performance tier and $6 on the Ultimate tier. The difference between the two is streaming quality, where you get up to 1440 resolution on Performance and 4K on Ultimate, as well as more FPS and DLSS.

Additional changes are coming to the service. The standard Priority tier changes names to Performance and upgrades from 1080p to 1440p. The free tier stays, with Nvidia saying that those players "will now see they’re streaming from basic rigs, with varying specs that offer entry-level cloud gaming and are optimized for capacity.”

The free tier is extremely throttled, but it appears to exist to entice people to upgrade to at least the Performance level. Depending on how many people are sticking with the free level, it might explain why Nvidia is introducing new restrictions.

More from Tom's Guide

Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. 

  • steven.powell3000
    Your headline is very misleading, bordering on fake news. Does not affect "everyone" at all.
    Only new subscribers.
    Anoouncement clearly states...."existing GeForce NOW paid members, as of December 31, 2024, will continue to enjoy unlimited playtime until their first billing cycle on or after January 1, 2026"
    Reply
  • DunmerPunk
    100 hours is 1/3 an elder scrolls(type) RPG playthrough. One full game run of CP2077.
    That's 1 month or less of power play.
    Definitely gonna cancel when they bring that over.
    Reply
  • Freqmode
    steven.powell3000 said:
    Your headline is very misleading, bordering on fake news. Does not affect "everyone" at all.
    Only new subscribers.
    Anoouncement clearly states...."existing GeForce NOW paid members, as of December 31, 2024, will continue to enjoy unlimited playtime until their first billing cycle on or after January 1, 2026"
    Yeah cause that makes it's a whole lot better. Still a Garbage idea. I don't stream games cause it's crap quality but if I did I'd cancel purely on principle and I certainly wouldn't sign up new to be limited to 100 hours. Why would they impose a time limit unless they're planning on charging more for an unlimited plan later
    Reply
  • Sam Bridges
    The future of gaming. Ha!
    Reply
  • steven.powell3000
    DunmerPunk said:
    100 hours is 1/3 an elder scrolls(type) RPG playthrough. One full game run of CP2077.
    That's 1 month or less of power play.
    Definitely gonna cancel when they bring that over.
    Well if 100 hours of power play is one month for you, then you will be ok. because that's what the limit will be.......100 hours PER MONTH.
    Reply
  • steven.powell3000
    Freqmode said:
    Yeah cause that makes it's a whole lot better. Still a Garbage idea. I don't stream games cause it's crap quality but if I did I'd cancel purely on principle and I certainly wouldn't sign up new to be limited to 100 hours. Why would they impose a time limit unless they're planning on charging more for an unlimited plan later
    It's not crap quality at all. I play gray zone in 4k on ultra settings at 150fps.
    I'd be very surprised if you get that on your PC...
    Reply