Subscription Calculator
Track your subscriptions and see how much you really spend
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Click a quick add button or add your own below.
How to Use This Calculator
This subscription calculator helps you track and understand your recurring expenses. Most people underestimate their subscription spending by 2-3x.
Step 1: Add your subscriptions using the quick-add buttons for popular services, or click "Add Custom Subscription" for others.
Step 2: For each subscription, enter the name, monthly cost, billing frequency (monthly or annual), and category.
Step 3: View your totals and see what else you could do with that money.
Step 4: Save your list to come back later, or export to CSV for your records.
Tip: Check your bank or credit card statements to find subscriptions you may have forgotten about.
The Hidden Cost of Subscriptions
Subscription services have exploded in recent years. What used to be just Netflix and a gym membership has grown into a complex web of streaming, software, fitness, food delivery, news, and more. The average American now spends over $200 per month on subscriptions, often without realizing it.
Why We Underestimate Subscription Spending
- Small amounts feel insignificant: $5 here, $10 there doesn't feel like much
- Automatic billing hides costs: Out of sight, out of mind
- Free trials convert: 48% of people forget to cancel before trial ends
- Price creep: Services regularly increase prices $1-2 at a time
The Compound Effect
$100/month in subscriptions equals $1,200/year. Invested at 7% annual return for 30 years, that becomes approximately $122,000. Understanding the opportunity cost of subscriptions helps you make better decisions about which ones are truly worth keeping.
Categories of Subscriptions
Streaming ($50-100/month): Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Spotify, YouTube Premium, Apple TV+
Software ($30-80/month): Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, ChatGPT Plus, Dropbox, password managers
Fitness ($30-100/month): Gym memberships, Peloton, fitness apps, meditation apps
Food & Delivery ($40-200/month): Meal kits, DoorDash Pass, Instacart, coffee subscriptions
News & Media ($20-50/month): NYT, WSJ, Substack newsletters, Patreon
Common Subscription Profiles
Tech Professional ($95/month)
- Netflix: $15.49
- Spotify: $11.99
- Adobe CC: $59.99
- GitHub Pro: $4.00
- ChatGPT Plus: $20.00
- iCloud+: $2.99
- Annual Total: $1,373
College Student ($45/month)
- Spotify Student: $5.99
- Netflix (shared): $5.50
- Hulu Student: $2.99
- Amazon Prime Student: $7.49
- Apple Music Student: $5.99
- Notion: Free for students
- Annual Total: $335
Family of Four ($200/month)
- Netflix Premium: $22.99
- Disney+ Bundle: $19.99
- Spotify Family: $16.99
- YouTube Premium Family: $22.99
- Amazon Prime: $14.99
- HelloFresh: $60.00
- Planet Fitness (2): $25.00
- iCloud Family: $9.99
- Annual Total: $2,319
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find all my subscriptions?
Check your bank and credit card statements for recurring charges. Search your email for "subscription," "receipt," and "renewal." Check app store subscriptions (Settings > Your Name > Subscriptions on iPhone, Google Play > Payments on Android). Look for annual charges you might have forgotten in statements from the past year.
Should I pay monthly or annually?
Annual billing typically saves 15-20% compared to monthly. However, only pay annually for services you are certain you will use for the full year. The savings are not worth it if you end up not using the service. Start monthly, and switch to annual once you have proven you use it consistently.
How can I reduce subscription costs?
Share family plans with trusted friends or family (Netflix allows 2 extra members for $8 each). Use student discounts if eligible. Rotate streaming services monthly instead of having all simultaneously. Check if your employer provides certain subscriptions. Use free alternatives where possible (library apps for audiobooks, free tiers for music).
What subscriptions are actually worth it?
A subscription is worth it if you use it at least weekly and it provides more value than alternatives. Calculate your cost per use: a $15 streaming service watched 20 hours/month costs $0.75/hour of entertainment. Compare that to alternatives. Also consider subscriptions that save you time or make you money, like productivity software for work.
How often should I audit my subscriptions?
Review your subscriptions quarterly. Set a calendar reminder. During each audit, ask: Have I used this in the past month? Does it still provide value worth the cost? Is there a cheaper alternative? Could I live without it? Cancel anything you haven't used in 30+ days.
Why do my subscriptions cost more than I thought?
Price increases are common - services often raise prices $1-2 annually without much notice. Promotional rates end after the first year. Multiple accounts on the same service add up. Forgotten free trials converted to paid. Annual charges amortized monthly look smaller but add up.
Tips for Managing Subscriptions
- Use a dedicated card: Put all subscriptions on one card to easily track spending.
- Set calendar reminders: Before free trials end and before annual renewals.
- Take advantage of pausing: Many services let you pause instead of cancel.
- Check for bundles: Disney+/Hulu/ESPN, Apple One, and other bundles can save money.
- Negotiate retention offers: When canceling, companies often offer discounts to keep you.
- Share legally: Family plans are meant to be shared - use them.
- Check your library: Many libraries offer free access to streaming, audiobooks, and magazines.
- Use Trim or similar services: Apps that automatically find and help cancel unwanted subscriptions.
Did You Know?
- The average American has 12 paid subscriptions and underestimates their total cost by 2.5x.
- Streaming services collectively cost more than cable TV did - the thing they were supposed to replace.
- 84% of people have forgotten about at least one subscription they are currently paying for.
- Free trial to paid conversion rates average 60% because people forget to cancel.
- If you invested $100/month instead of spending it on subscriptions, you'd have $122,000 in 30 years at 7% returns.