Subnautica: which platform plays it best?
What changes between PC, PS5, Xbox, PS4, Switch: resolution, FPS per mode, what each official store publishes and the FPS we measured on PC.
Quick verdict
The best version of Subnautica is on PC; on console, PS5, and Switch only if you want it portable.
Why PC wins
PC is the only version with free settings, and the spec sheet credits it with 4K, 120 FPS, ultrawide, multi-monitor and an adjustable field of view. What it does not have is HDR, ray tracing or anisotropic filtering. We have no measured graphics cards for this game, so we publish no PC frame rates.
On console: PS5 and PS4
On console PS5 leads, and not on resolution: both of its modes work at 1080p, same as PS4. The gap is quality mode, which improves ambient occlusion, antialiasing and reflections and turns Vsync on to lock 30 FPS, plus shadows above PS4. FPS mode drops Vsync and tearing appears, so you have to choose. The PS5 version is also a native update rather than backward compatibility.
Switch, the bottom step
Switch is the bottom step: 900p, no shadows and no ambient occlusion, clear cuts to textures, water and draw distance, and an erratic frame rate that falls to 20 FPS depending on the biome. In exchange it loads faster than PS4 and it is the only one you can carry.
For Xbox we only have the official catalogue flags: there is no video analysis, so we give neither resolution nor frame rate.
Price on each platform
The best live offer for each version, every price with its format.
Final prices with fees
Copied!
Subnautica on PS5, PS4 and Switch: graphics and frame rate compared
- The PS5 version is a native current-gen update, not backward compatibility.
- PS4 runs at 1080p and Switch at 900p. PS5 has two display modes, but both work at 1080p.
- PS5 quality mode improves ambient occlusion, antialiasing and reflections, and turns Vsync on to lock 30 FPS.
- PS5 FPS mode turns Vsync off, which is why tearing shows up.
- On Switch the frame rate can fall to 20 FPS depending on the biome: erratic performance.
- Switch loses shadows and ambient occlusion entirely; PS5 improves shadows over PS4.
- Draw distance and textures do not change between PS4 and PS5; on Switch both are clearly cut back, and so is water quality.
Full platform comparison
Resolution, modes and FPS come from the video analyses above. The rest is published by each platform's official store and by the game's technical sheet on PC. Where nobody publishes the figure we put a dash, not a guess.
| Feature | PC | PS5 | Xbox | PS4 | Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Unlocked, 4K supported | 1080p in both modes | — | 1080p | 900p |
| Graphics modes | Free settings | Two: quality and FPS | — | — | — |
| Frame rate | Unlocked, 60 and 120 FPS supported | Locked 30 in quality mode | — | — | Drops to 20 FPS depending on the biome |
| Tearing | — | Yes, in FPS mode: it turns Vsync off | — | — | — |
| Ambient occlusion | — | Improved in quality mode | — | — | No |
| Shadows | — | Above PS4 | — | Below PS5 | No |
| Water, textures and draw distance | — | Same as PS4 | — | Same as PS5 | Below both, with clear cuts to draw distance |
| Loading times | — | Better than PS4, but slow for what is usual | — | Slower than Switch | Faster than PS4 |
| Native current-gen version | — | Yes, not backward compatibility | — | — | — |
| HDR | No | — | — | — | — |
| Ray tracing | No | — | — | — | — |
| 120 FPS | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Ultrawide | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Anisotropic filtering | No | — | — | — | — |
| Optimised for the current generation | — | — | Yes | — | — |
| Xbox One X Enhanced | — | — | Yes | — | — |
| Cloud saves | Yes | — | Yes | — | — |
Xbox is the Series X column unless Series S is stated. Resolution, modes, FPS, VRR and download size come from the videos; HDR, ray tracing and PC features from the technical sheet and the official Xbox catalogue.
Frequently asked questions about Subnautica
Which platform does Subnautica look best on?
PC, the only one with free settings, 4K, 120 FPS and ultrawide. Among consoles, PS5: it renders at the same resolution as PS4 but improves ambient occlusion, antialiasing, reflections and shadows.
What resolution does each console run at?
PS5 runs at 1080p in both display modes, PS4 at 1080p and Switch at 900p. These are figures from the video analysis, not a measurement of ours. Nothing is published for the Xbox version.
Which PS5 mode should I pick?
Quality mode improves ambient occlusion, antialiasing and reflections, and turns Vsync on to lock 30 FPS. FPS mode raises fluidity but drops Vsync, and tearing comes with it.
Does it run well on Switch?
It runs, but with heavy cuts. It sits at 900p with no shadows and no ambient occlusion, fewer textures, worse water and far less draw distance. The frame rate is erratic and can fall to 20 FPS depending on the biome.
Is the PS5 version a real upgrade?
Yes. The analysis confirms it is a native current-gen version, not the PS4 game running through backward compatibility.
What is the difference between PS4 and PS5?
Resolution is the same, 1080p. PS5 improves shadows and, in quality mode, ambient occlusion, antialiasing and reflections. Water, textures and draw distance do not change, and loading times are better on PS5.
What about the Xbox version?
There is no video analysis. All that is published are the official catalogue flags: optimised for the current generation, Xbox One X Enhanced and cloud saves. That is why its column is nearly empty.
Does it have HDR or ray tracing?
Not on PC: PCGamingWiki lists neither, nor anisotropic filtering. It does support 4K, 120 FPS, ultrawide, multi-monitor and an adjustable field of view.
Which one is cheapest?
The cheapest key is on Xbox. Above it sit PC and PS4. Prices move every day: the live ones are on each version’s page. Watch out for account offers, cheaper because they are not a purchase in your name.
Video analysis by El Analista de Bits. The videos play from their own channel. PC data according to PCGamingWiki and our own FPS measurements; Xbox features according to the official Microsoft catalogue.
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