Subscription Audit Calculator
Think you know how much you spend on subscriptions? Most people underestimate by 2-3x. Add up all your recurring charges and find savings opportunities.
Subscription Audit
Find out how much you're really spending
Studies show people underestimate by 2-3x on average
Reality Check
Total Monthly Spending
$39.06
$469 per year
3
1 essential
$13.02
per subscription
$0.00
per month
$0
if optimized
Spending by Category
Recommendations
Good value based on your usage
Essential service with regular usage
Good value based on your usage
How to Use This Calculator
First, enter your estimated monthly spending on subscriptions. Be honest - this helps you see the reality gap that most people experience.
Add each subscription using "Add Custom" or click "Quick Add" to select from common services like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime.
For each subscription, enter the cost and billing frequency. The calculator converts everything to monthly amounts for easy comparison.
Rate your actual usage honestly: daily, weekly, monthly, rarely, or never. This drives the recommendations for which subscriptions to keep, review, or cancel.
Mark subscriptions as "Essential" if you truly can't live without them. This affects the recommendations - essential services get more leeway.
Understanding Your Results
The Reality Check compares your estimate to your actual spending. Don't be surprised if you're off by 50-200% - this is extremely common.
The category breakdown shows where your subscription money goes. Streaming and software often dominate, but small subscriptions add up fast.
Each subscription gets a recommendation: Keep (good value), Review (consider alternatives), or Cancel (not worth it). These are based on your usage ratings.
The cost per use shows the real value. A $15/month service used daily costs $0.50/use. The same service used once a month costs $15/use - very different value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average person spend on subscriptions?
Studies show Americans spend an average of $219/month on subscriptions, though they typically estimate only $86/month - underestimating by over 2.5x. This includes streaming services, software, gym memberships, food delivery, and other recurring charges.
What subscriptions do people forget about?
Common forgotten subscriptions include: cloud storage (iCloud, Google One), app subscriptions buried in App Store, annual memberships (Amazon Prime, Costco), free trials that converted to paid, old software licenses, and gym memberships you no longer use.
How do I find all my subscriptions?
Check these places: (1) Bank and credit card statements for the past 3 months, (2) Apple/Google Play subscription settings, (3) PayPal recurring payments, (4) Email inbox searching for "receipt" or "subscription", (5) Password manager for accounts you may have forgotten.
When should I cancel a subscription?
Consider canceling when: you haven't used it in 30+ days, you can get similar value elsewhere for free, you signed up for a feature you no longer need, or the cost per use is higher than alternatives. Our calculator flags subscriptions you rate as 'rarely' or 'never' used.
Are annual subscriptions worth it?
Annual plans typically save 15-25% compared to monthly billing. However, only commit annually if: (1) you've used the service for 3+ months and still find it valuable, (2) the company is stable, and (3) you can afford the upfront cost. Don't fall for "annual discount" on services you might cancel.
How can I reduce subscription costs?
Strategies include: (1) Downgrade to lower tiers you actually use, (2) Share family plans with household members, (3) Rotate entertainment subscriptions monthly, (4) Use free alternatives (Spotify free vs Premium), (5) Call to cancel and often get offered retention discounts.
What are subscription alternatives?
For streaming: library services offer free access to many shows. For software: open-source alternatives exist for most tools. For fitness: YouTube has free workouts. For news: many articles are free via library access. For music: free tiers with ads often suffice.
How often should I audit my subscriptions?
Review your subscriptions quarterly (every 3 months) at minimum. Set a calendar reminder. Also audit when: you notice unexpected charges, your income changes, you get a new service (check for overlap), or you realize you haven't used something recently.
Related Calculators
Found this calculator helpful?
Check out our other free calculators for everyday math problems.
View All Calculators