Subscription Cost Calculator
Add all your subscriptions to see the true cost. Monthly, annual, and daily totals at a glance. Find out which subscriptions cost the most and how much you would save by canceling. Data saved locally in your browser.
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The True Cost of Subscriptions
The average American spends $219 per month on subscriptions according to a 2024 C+R Research study. That is $2,628 per year, or $7.20 per day. Most people underestimate their subscription spending by 2-3x because each individual charge feels small. This calculator reveals the full picture.
Common Subscription Categories
Streaming video (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+), music (Spotify, Apple Music), software (Adobe, Microsoft 365), fitness (gym, Peloton), food delivery (DoorDash Pass, Instacart+), news (NYT, WSJ), cloud storage (iCloud, Google One), gaming (Game Pass, PS Plus), and miscellaneous (VPN, password managers, meditation apps). Most people have 5-12 active subscriptions.
Subscription Math
Monthly Cost = Annual Price ÷ 12 (or Weekly × 4.33)
Annual Cost = Monthly Price × 12
Daily Cost = Annual Cost ÷ 365
5-Year Cost = Annual Cost × 5
How to Audit Your Subscriptions
Step 1: Check your credit card and bank statements for recurring charges. Step 2: Add every subscription to this calculator. Step 3: For each one, ask: "Did I use this in the last 30 days?" Step 4: Cancel anything you have not used in 30 days. Step 5: Look for cheaper alternatives or family plans. Set a recurring calendar reminder every three months to repeat this audit and catch any new subscriptions that have crept in since your last review.
Free Alternatives
Many paid subscriptions have free alternatives. Free music streaming with ads, free cloud storage tiers, free news through your library card, free fitness videos on YouTube, and free password managers. Before paying, check if a free option meets your needs.
The Subscription Creep Effect
Subscription creep happens when you slowly accumulate subscriptions over time. Each one seems affordable at $5-$15/month, but together they add up to hundreds. Set a quarterly reminder to review all subscriptions. Many people find $50-$100/month in subscriptions they forgot about. To combat subscription creep, consider consolidating services where possible. Family plans for streaming and music can cut per-person costs significantly, and bundled services like Apple One or Amazon Prime combine multiple benefits into a single, lower monthly charge.