Google's app subscription service launches in UK next week

Over 500 apps are offered in the subscription, without ads or in-app purchases

(Credit: Google)

Google has expanded the Play Pass, a subscription app and game service for Android devices, to international audiences.

The service is coming to the United Kingdom this week, as well as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.

It costs £4.99 per month, or £29.99 per year, and can be split among five other family members, and is available on all mobile and tablet devices running Android 4.4 or later.

At launch, it offered titles including Stardew Valley, Reigns: Game of Thrones, Terraria, Monument Valley, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, among others, but will add and remove titles over time.

Google says in a blog post that it has brought 150 new titles to the subscription, including the Sonic the Hedgehog game and indie titles like Teslagrad, Forgotton Anne, and Sally’s Law–all.

The expansion means Play Pass offers more than 500 apps and games.

Google is not the only company that is offering subscription services for applications; Apple has a similar service called Apple Arcade for iOS users.

However, unlike Google Play Pass which also offers certain premium apps, Apple Arcade only offers video games.

Over time, Google has added advert-free versions of podcast app Podcast Republic, digital sketching app ArtFlow, and music mixing software Cross DJ Pro as part of the subscription.

The company has not said yet what services will be available when it hits the UK, but there is a one month trial option available so users can test how useful the subscription would be before paying.