Short answer: Pull every recurring charge from your card and bank statements and from your App Store and Google Play subscription lists. Record the amount, billing cycle and next renewal date for each one in a single list, convert everything to a monthly cost, set a reminder a few days before each renewal and review the list once a month.
Streaming, music, cloud storage, a fitness app, the PRO tier of a tool you use at work: each subscription looks small on its own. The problem is that they renew on different days, on different cards and on different cycles. Until you see the total, it is hard to know what you are really paying for. This guide walks you through a simple system you can set up in an afternoon.
1. Find every subscription
A complete list is the foundation. Check these sources one by one:
- Card and bank statements: scan the last 2–3 months, and the last 12 months if you can, to catch annual renewals.
- iPhone: Settings → your name → Subscriptions shows everything billed through Apple.
- Android: Google Play → profile icon → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions.
- Your inbox: search for "receipt", "renewal", "your subscription" and "free trial".
- Bundles: services added to your phone plan, internet bill or credit card perks.
2. Record the same details for each one
| Field | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Music streaming | Know exactly what you pay for. |
| Amount and currency | $10.99 / €9.99 | Foreign-currency plans change with exchange rates. |
| Billing cycle | Weekly, monthly, yearly | Needed for the monthly equivalent. |
| Next renewal | December 14 | The basis for reminders. |
| Paid through | Card, Apple, Google Play | Tells you where to cancel. |
| Trial end | Date, if any | So a trial doesn’t turn into a charge unnoticed. |
3. Convert everything to a monthly cost
- Yearly → monthly: yearly price ÷ 12
- Weekly → monthly: weekly price × 52 ÷ 12
- Monthly → yearly: monthly price × 12
A $120 annual plan is $10 a month; a $5 weekly plan is about $21.67 a month. Our free subscription cost calculator does this for a whole list in your browser.
4. Set reminders before renewals
The moment that matters is the few days before a renewal, when you can still cancel or switch plans. Calendar events work for a handful of subscriptions but get messy as the list grows. A subscription tracker lets you manage payment and trial-end reminders in one place.
Tip: when you start a free trial, set a reminder at least two days before it ends. Apple recommends cancelling a trial you don’t want to renew at least 24 hours before it ends.
5. Review what you actually use
For each subscription ask: did I use it in the last 30 days? Do I pay for another service that does the same thing? Would an annual or family plan be cheaper? Mark the ones that fail as cancellation candidates. Remember to cancel with the service, the App Store or Google Play; removing an item from your list does not stop the payment.
6. Do a 10-minute monthly check
Pick a day each month to compare your list with your statement, add anything new and update changed prices. Price increases usually arrive by email and are easy to miss.
Spreadsheet or app?
With only a few subscriptions, a spreadsheet can be enough; grab our free subscription tracker spreadsheet template. As the list grows and you want reminders, an app becomes more practical. The Leakpin subscription tracker app lets you add records yourself, without connecting a bank, see your monthly and annual totals and get reminded before renewals. Try the live demo before you download.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to connect my bank account to track subscriptions?
No. You can review your statements yourself and add subscriptions to a list or app manually. Leakpin does not ask for a bank connection; you enter your records.
How often should I review my subscriptions?
A short monthly review works for most people. For annual plans, also check one or two weeks before the renewal date.
Does removing a subscription from a tracker cancel it?
No. Deleting an entry from a list or tracking app does not stop the payment. Cancel with the service itself, the App Store or Google Play.