Is Your Subscription
Actually Worth It?
Enter your subscription details and find out the real cost per use. Get a clear verdict: keep it, downgrade, or cancel it.
Quick Examples
Click any example to pre-fill the calculator, or scroll down to enter your own.
Calculate Your Subscription ROI
How to Evaluate Subscription Value
Not every subscription that costs money is a bad deal. The key is understanding whether the value you get justifies the price.
The Cost-Per-Use Framework
The simplest way to evaluate any subscription is to divide the monthly cost by the number of times you use it. This gives you a concrete number you can compare against alternatives.
Compare Against the Real Alternative
Every subscription has an alternative: a free option, a one-time purchase, or simply going without. A gym membership at $50/month competes against free home workouts, a $300 set of dumbbells that lasts years, or outdoor running. The right comparison depends on whether the alternative actually gives you comparable value.
Factor in the Intangibles
Some subscription value is hard to quantify. A gym membership might keep you healthy, reducing future medical costs. A productivity tool might save you hours each week. An AI assistant might help you work more effectively. Consider both the direct cost-per-use and the broader impact on your life and work.
The 30-Day Cancellation Test
If you are unsure about a subscription, cancel it and see if you miss it within 30 days. Most services let you resubscribe instantly. If after a month you barely noticed it was gone, you have your answer. If you found yourself constantly wishing you had it back, it was worth keeping. This real-world test beats any calculator.
Common Subscriptions Evaluated
Here is how some of the most popular subscriptions stack up when you look at the actual cost per use.
Netflix ($15.49/mo)
Streaming
If you watch 5x per week (20x/month), your cost per use is $0.77. That is cheaper than renting a single movie. If you watch only 2x/month, it jumps to $7.75 per use. Consider rotating if your usage is low.
Gym Membership ($50/mo)
Fitness
Going 4x per week costs $3.13 per visit. Going once a week costs $12.50. The average gym member goes 4-5 times per month, making each visit about $10-12.50. Compare this to a $15-20 drop-in rate to see if it makes sense.
Adobe Creative Cloud ($59.99/mo)
Software
For professionals using it daily (22 work days), the cost is $2.73 per day. For hobbyists using it 3-4 times per month, it is $15-20 per use. Alternatives like Affinity Suite cost $170 one-time for all three apps.
ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo)
AI Tool
If you use it daily for work (22x/month at 30 min each), the cost is $0.91 per use or $1.82 per hour. If it saves you even 15 minutes of work per session, the productivity gain likely exceeds the cost for knowledge workers.
Track Every Subscription's Value
Subcut helps you see all your subscriptions, their costs, and renewal dates. Make informed decisions about what to keep and what to cut.
Download Subcut FreeFree to start. No bank connection needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the ROI of a subscription?
Divide the monthly cost by the number of times you use it each month. This gives you the cost per use. Then compare that to the cost of the alternative. If the subscription is cheaper per use and more convenient, it has a positive ROI.
What is a good cost per use for a subscription?
Under $2 per use is great value for entertainment and consumer subscriptions. For professional tools, up to $5-10 per use can still be worthwhile if it saves you time or makes you money. The key is whether the cost per use is less than what you would pay for the alternative.
When should I cancel a subscription?
Cancel when you use it less than once per week, when the cost per use exceeds the alternative, when a free option covers most of your needs, or when you have not used it in two weeks. Also reconsider after price increases that change the value equation.
Is Netflix worth the price?
At $15.49/month, Netflix is worth it if you watch at least 4-5 times per month, which brings the cost to about $3-4 per use. Daily watchers get it under $1 per use. If you watch less than twice a month, consider rotating it with other services instead.
Is a gym membership worth it?
A gym membership is worth keeping if you go at least 3 times per week. At $50/month with 12 visits, each visit costs $4.17 which is much less than drop-in rates. If you go only 4 times a month, the cost per visit is $12.50 and free alternatives like home workouts may serve you better.
How can I track subscription value over time?
Use Subcut to track all your subscriptions and their renewal dates in one place. Review your subscriptions quarterly and run them through this calculator to see if the value still makes sense. Usage patterns change over time, and a subscription that was worth it six months ago may not be today.