Streaming Value Calculator
Find out which streaming services give you the best value per hour and which ones are draining your wallet.
Streaming Value Calculator
Find which subscriptions give you the most bang for your buck
How to Use This Calculator
Toggle on each streaming service you currently subscribe to. The default prices reflect standard ad-free tiers as of early 2025.
Adjust the hours slider to match how much you actually watch each service per month. Be honest -- overestimating makes bad subscriptions look good.
The calculator ranks every service by cost per hour, color-coded from green (great value) to red (poor value), so you can see at a glance where your money goes.
Understanding Your Results
Total Monthly/Yearly Cost is the combined price of all your active subscriptions. Many people underestimate this number.
Cost Per Hour is the key metric. It shows how much you pay per hour of content consumed. A $16 service you watch 20 hours costs $0.80/hr (great). The same service at 2 hours costs $8/hr (terrible).
Value Rating uses color coding: green means you are getting solid value, red means the subscription costs more per hour than a movie ticket.
The recommended cut highlights the service with the worst cost-per-hour ratio, helping you make the biggest impact with a single cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the cost per hour calculated?
Cost per hour = monthly subscription price divided by hours watched per month. For example, if Netflix costs $15.49 and you watch 20 hours, that is $0.77 per hour of entertainment. Lower cost per hour means better value.
What counts as a "great value" streaming service?
Under $1 per hour is great value, $1-2 is good, $2-4 is fair, and over $4 per hour is poor value. The rating depends entirely on how much you actually watch, not the sticker price. A cheap service you never use is worse value than an expensive one you watch daily.
Should I cancel the "worst value" service?
Not necessarily. Cost per hour is one way to measure value. You might keep a service for one specific show, for family members, or because it bundles with another product (like Amazon Prime with free shipping). Use the numbers as a starting point for decisions, not a final verdict.
How much does the average person spend on streaming?
As of 2025, the average US household spends about $60-80 per month on streaming services. With price increases across Netflix, Disney+, and others, many households are now spending over $100 per month without realizing it. This calculator helps you see the full picture.
Is it cheaper to rotate streaming services?
Yes. Instead of paying for 5+ services simultaneously, subscribe to one or two at a time, binge what you want, then switch. Most services let you cancel and resubscribe without penalty. Rotating through 4 services at $15 each costs $15-30 per month instead of $60.
Does this include ad-supported tiers?
The default prices reflect ad-free tiers as of early 2025. You can adjust the monthly price for any service by modifying the preset values. Many services offer cheaper ad-supported plans that can dramatically improve your cost per hour.
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