With all of the tariff turmoil and concerns about a recession, it's no surprise that so many of us are rethinking how much money we're pouring into our subscriptions.
CNET's latest survey dives into how much US adults are paying for subscriptions and found that the average US adult spends $1,080 per year -- down only $12 from CNET's findings from last year. With many subscription services like Netflix and Disney continuing to raise prices, many US adults are looking to trim this cost even more.
Over half (61%) of subscribers are second-guessing their subscription costs out of uncertainty about the economy, and 26% have already canceled at least one. Even so, "subscription creep" is still on the rise, with the average US adult spending $205 in unused subscriptions every year. Gen Z is the most susceptible to subscription creep, spending $272 on forgotten or unused subscriptions each year.
From streaming services to e-commerce memberships, here's where US adults are spending the most and advice from CNET experts to help you cut subscription costs.
- Four out of five US adults (80%) have paid for one or more subscriptions in the past year. That's down 1% from last year.
- Among those who have paid for subscriptions, the average total amount spent in the past year was $90 per month, which adds up to $1,080 per year. That's $1 less a month and $12 less a year than in 2024.
- 61% of subscribers are rethinking their paid subscriptions due to the state of the economy -- 26% have already canceled a paid subscription.
- On average, subscribers spend $17 a month for subscriptions they don't use, adding up to over $200 a year.
Which subscriptions are the most popular?
We pay for all types of subscriptions -- from gym memberships to meal kit services -- but the majority of US adults (61%) are paying for streaming TV services, like Netflix and Hulu, followed by e-commerce subscriptions, like Amazon Prime memberships and music subscriptions.
US adults are spending an average of $90 per month on subscriptions, which is essentially flat compared with last year ($91 per month). Millennials are paying the most for subscriptions -- $101 per month -- down $18 from last year.
The economy has most subscribers rethinking their subscriptions
Between the back-and-forth on tariff announcements and some experts saying we're headed for a recession, many of us are looking for ways to cut costs, such as reconsidering subscriptions we no longer need.
CNET's findings show over half of subscribers (61%) are second-guessing their paid subscriptions due to the state of the economy. Twenty-six percent have already canceled a subscription and 24% are considering it.
Kourtnee Jackson, CNET's senior editor of streaming and home entertainment, isn't surprised that so many people are considering taking a break from a service, a move she often recommends to save money.
"The advantage of streaming services is there's no contract and no penalty, so you can always sign back up whenever you want to -- especially if you are on a monthly subscription," Jackson said.
Jackson recommends reviewing your subscriptions regularly. To decide which subscriptions are worth ditching, take a close look at how often you use a service and how much it costs. The price tag may have risen since you first signed up for the subscription or you may find you can't take advantage of most of its perks. If you haven't used a subscription for three to six months out of the year, it may be best to cancel, Jackson added.
US adults are spending over $200 on subscriptions they don't use
What's more surprising is how much we're paying for subscriptions we don't use. Subscribers report spending an average of $17 each month ($204 per year) on unused subscription services, with Gen Z spending the most: $23 per month ($276 per year).
It's a good idea to check in on your subscriptions regularly to make sure you didn't accidentally forget to cancel one or that you're not paying double for the same subscription through two different payment methods.
For example, you may already be paying for Hulu through a third party like Prime Video, but you may still have a separate subscription for Hulu.
How to find and cancel subscriptions you don't want anymore
If you're tired of seeing money disappear from your bank account because of forgotten subscription charges, here's how to identify and eliminate money-wasting subscriptions.
Try a budgeting app with a cancellation service
A budgeting app can help you take stock of where your money is going so you can scale down spending on categories that aren't as important to you. Some budgeting apps can help identify all of your subscriptions and cancel them for you. CNET banking editor Kelly Ernst used Rocket Money last year to help her flag and get rid of unused subscriptions.
"Rocket Money can help you identify subscriptions you're paying for and then cancel them for you," Ernst said. "It saved me a surprising $400 in about 15 minutes."
Signing up for another subscription may feel counterintuitive if you're trying to reduce your costs, but you don't have to pay a dime to start using Rocket Money, which won CNET's Editor's Choice award for best budgeting app. Rocket Money lets you see your subscriptions with the free version, so you can then cancel any unwanted ones on your own.
If you do decide to have Rocket Money cancel them for you, then you'll need to upgrade to the premium version, which costs between $6 to $12 a month. But you can always cancel the service once you're done with it.
Audit your bank account
If you don't want to pay for Rocket's premium service, Jackson suggests auditing your spending. Look at the last three months of your bank and credit card statements and make a list of any recurring subscription charges. You can import your transactions into a spreadsheet to make this easier. Once you have all of them in front of you, decide if there are any services you want to pause or cancel. To do this, you can log into your account with the service or reach out to customer service by phone.
Canceling shouldn't be painful. The Federal Trade Commission's "click to cancel" rule was implemented last year to make it just as easy to cancel subscriptions as it is to sign up for them. Previously, some servicers had made it tricky to end your service by using confusing language or hiding the cancellation button.
The click to cancel rule requires that a cancellation button must be clearly displayed on the site and servicers must give you a clear option to cancel instead of only offering you a special or discount to keep your subscription.
How to save money on subscriptions you want to keep
Cutting costs on subscriptions doesn't mean you have to cancel everything you love to stay within budget. Here are some alternatives to trim the monthly costs.
Try the rotation method
According to CNET's survey, 11% of subscribers use the rotation method to avoid overpaying for subscriptions, slightly down from last year's 13%. Rotating your subscriptions allows you to lower your costs while still keeping the services you want -- and Jackson recommends it.
True to its name, the rotation method has you cycle through subscriptions, so that you're only using one for a certain amount of time, then cancelling it and adding another one. This works well if you want to watch a season of a show.
Make rotating services a habit by ensuring you cancel one subscription before you add a new one. You'll need to keep up with your shows and services so you know when to end subscriptions you no longer use. Set a calendar reminder to alert you when it's time to cancel your subscription, so you don't accidentally pay for an additional month.
Some streaming services, including Hulu and Sling TV, let you pause your subscription for a certain amount of time instead of canceling, which can save you time when you're ready to rejoin, but you won't pay for the months your subscription is paused.
Ask about special offers
If you don't want to cancel a service, but worry you're paying too much, it never hurts to ask for a discount. Some retailers and services offer discounts for teachers, military members and students. Long-term customers may also qualify for savings, but you'll need to ask by calling the servicer to explore your options.
Read more: Best Streaming Service Deals: Watch Your Favorite Shows With Discounts Across Platforms
Bundle subscriptions
If you have several services, you may be able to bundle them to save money. For example, you can bundle Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus starting at $17 per month. Your internet provider, cellphone company or credit card issuer may also offer access to subscriptions or bundles, which could save you money. For example, you may get free Apple Music with Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan.
A bundle can save you money -- but only if you're using all of the services offered. If you need only two of the three services in a bundle, the rotation method might save you more money than paying for an unused service.
Read more: Best Streaming Service Deals: Watch Top Shows With Deals Across Platforms
Consider free or lower-cost alternatives
If you're looking for ways to cut back on subscription fees without sacrificing convenience, look for cheaper or free options. Jackson shared that Tubi and Pluto are two free streaming services that could cut your subscription costs if you're OK with ads.
Downgrading can also save you money. You may give up on some perks, like downloads and the number of devices you can watch from, but it may be worthwhile to lower costs by switching to an ad-based streaming plan.
Methodology
CNET commissioned YouGov to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. Total sample size was 2,440 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between April 28-30. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 and older).
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