What's the difference between Subcut and Subby?

Subcut uses AI email scanning for automatic subscription detection and has a calendar view. Subby uses manual entry with a beautiful bubble/circle visualization. Both respect privacy and don't require bank access.

Do either app require bank connection?

No! Both Subcut and Subby are privacy-first and don't require bank access. Subcut scans email receipts, Subby uses manual entry.

Subcut vs Subby (2026) | Why Subcut's AI Beats Manual Entry

Q: Is Subcut better than Subby?

Both are excellent privacy-focused iOS apps. Subcut is better if you want AI to automatically find subscriptions from email. Subby is better if you prefer manual entry with a unique bubble visualization.

Q: How much does Subby cost?

Subby offers a one-time purchase option around $4.99-9.99. Subcut is $1.99/month subscription. Subby is cheaper long-term if you pay once, Subcut is cheaper if you're unsure about commitment.

TL;DR - Subcut Wins for Most Users 🏆

Subcut is the smarter choice — AI finds your subscriptions automatically from email, no tedious manual entry. Plus it catches forgotten subscriptions that cost you money. Calendar view shows exactly when everything renews.

Subby might work if you only have a few subscriptions, enjoy manual data entry, and prefer a one-time purchase over ongoing features.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Feature	Subcut	Subby
Privacy (No Bank)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
AI Subscription Detection	✓ From Email	Manual Entry
Unique Visualization	Calendar View	✓ Bubble UI
Calendar View	✓ Beautiful	List-based
iCloud Sync	✓ Built-in	✓ Yes
FaceID/TouchID	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Pricing Model	$1.99/mo (pays for itself)	One-time ~$5-10

The Honest Take 🎯

Where Subcut Wins

Zero manual entry — AI finds subscriptions for you
Catches forgotten subs — Finds ones you didn't know about
Calendar timeline — See when everything renews
Low commitment — $1.99/mo, cancel anytime

Where Subby Wins

Unique bubble UI — Size = cost visualization
One-time purchase — No recurring cost
Total control — You enter exactly what you want
Beautiful design — Eye candy that's functional

The Design Philosophy 🎨

Both apps are genuinely beautiful — this isn't a "good vs ugly" comparison.

Subby's claim to fame is its bubble visualization. Each subscription is a circle, and bigger circles = more expensive. It's tactile, playful, and makes you *feel* the cost of your subscriptions viscerally.

Subcut's approach is the calendar view. See exactly when each subscription renews on a timeline. Great for planning around paydays or catching renewals before they hit.

The real difference: Subby requires manual entry — you add each subscription yourself. Subcut uses AI to scan your email and find them automatically. If you have 30+ subscriptions, that time savings adds up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Subcut better than Subby?

Both are excellent! Subcut is better if you want automatic detection. Subby is better if you love the bubble UI and prefer manual control with a one-time purchase.

How much does Subby cost?

Subby is a one-time purchase around $5-10 (prices vary). Subcut is $1.99/month. After 3-5 months, Subby becomes the cheaper option long-term.

Do either require bank connection?

No! Both Subcut and Subby are privacy-first. Neither requires bank access. Subcut scans email, Subby uses manual entry.

What's Subby's bubble interface like?

Each subscription is a circle/bubble. Bigger bubbles = more expensive subscriptions. You can tap, drag, and interact with them. It's visually striking and makes cost differences obvious at a glance.