14 tips to save money on a streaming service

Keep these 14 money-saving tips in mind before subscribing to streaming service like Netflix, Apple TV+ , or Hulu.

The days of renting DVDs, waiting for a movie on cable, or purchasing individual titles on iTunes are largely behind us, with streaming now taking center stage. Streaming services are convenient, often cheaper than standalone purchases, and easy to sign up for or cancel.

However, having multiple subscriptions can quickly add up, silently draining your finances as monthly charges continue on autopilot. To manage this better, consider these practical tips before subscribing to a new streaming service or reassessing your current ones.

Use profiles if people close to you already have a subscription

Many streaming services, including Netflix, are cracking down on account/password sharing in the US and other countries. However, depending on where you’re reading this guide from, check if your family member has an existing subscription and if they are comfortable sharing it with you.

If they do, remember to create a separate user profile and lock it so your watch history, continue watching section, and recommendations are separate from those of other members who use this account.

Don’t subscribe in the app! Use the web instead

Both Google and Apple charge up to 30% commission from app developers when customers sign up in the app, and many times, this extra cost is passed on to the customer. This is why YouTube Premium, X (Twitter) Premium, and countless other services cost more when you subscribe to them from the iOS or Android app.

To combat this, Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify don’t even let you purchase a plan in the app; you are forced to use the web browser on your phone or computer.

And even if a streaming service allows you to purchase their plan from the iPhone, iPad, or Android app, you should always check if the subscription price on their website is lower. In most cases, it is.

Look for subscription bundles

Big companies that offer several separate streaming services often bundle them together at a price that’s lower than subscribing to them separately.

For instance, instead of subscribing to Apple Music and Apple TV+ separately, you can get the Apple One bundle that includes both, along with extra iCloud storage, Apple Arcade for games, Apple News+, and Fitness+, leading to significant savings.

Similarly, the Disney bundle offers Disney+, Hulu, and Max/ESPN+, which is more economical than subscribing to these three services separately. However, to justify the bundled price, ensure that you or someone in your family will actually use them. If you’re not interested in sports, it’s better to opt for the standalone Disney+ subscription instead of paying extra for the Disney bundle that includes ESPN+.

Get the quarterly or annual plan

Streaming platforms offer discounts when subscribers opt for long-term plans and pay or commit to paying upfront for a year, six months, or even three months.

So, if you’re familiar with their content library and are sure you’ll use their services for more than a month, purchase their long-term plans and save some money.

Set cancel reminders or use a virtual credit card with a limit

If you only want to subscribe to a service for a short duration, like a week or month, set a reminder on your iPhone, preferably with an early alert. This way, you can cancel at least a day before the company charges your credit card.

Secondly, you can use Privacy.com or similar virtual credit cards with a limited balance, like 5, 10, or 20 dollars, and use them to get a free trial of the streaming service or subscribe to their monthly plan. Once that set amount is over, the streaming company won’t be able to bill you further.

Jump on the family plan

Most video streaming services offer multiple profiles, allowing you, your spouse, and your kids to have separate movie and TV show experiences. However, with streaming services cracking down on password sharing, this feature generally works only when viewers live under the same roof or use the same device, like a shared living room TV.

If your family members (or friends) live apart and are all interested in the same streaming service, it can be much cheaper to get a family plan and split the cost among members. Typically, family plans for most streaming services allow 4 to 6 members, but be sure to check the terms and conditions on your end.

Determine which plan to opt for

Nearly every movie and TV show service offers more than one plan. There may be a basic plan designed for mobile streaming, a middle-tier plan that supports up to 1080p, and a premium plan that unlocks 4K HDR playback.

Additionally, the plans often have limits on the number of concurrent devices. For example, the basic plan might allow streaming on just one device at a time, the middle tier on 2 devices, and the highest tier on up to 4 devices simultaneously.

Evaluate your needs and select a plan accordingly.

Decide where you’ll consume the content and opt for a suitable plan

I always watch Netflix on my iPhone or iPad. On the other hand, one of my friends watches them exclusively on his Apple TV, connected to a 65-inch television.

So, for me, Netflix’s basic cheaper plan is sufficient, while for him, getting the 4K plan is recommended, as anything below that doesn’t look good on the bigger display.

Therefore, depending on where you watch your content, choose the right plan and save some money. Of course, if your viewing habits change, you can upgrade to a higher plan later.

Opt for ad-supported plans, as they are usually the cheapest

No one likes ads intruding on their TV viewing or music listening experience, but if you’re tight on money and the streaming service in question has an ad-supported plan, you can opt for that. When your financial situation improves, upgrade to an ad-free experience.

Check all available streaming sites for a particular movie or TV show

I’m a huge fan of The Office and continue to rewatch it. In my region, The Office is available on Netflix, Prime Video, and two other local streaming services. So, if my primary goal is to watch just this one show, it makes sense to subscribe to the cheapest local streaming provider, as its monthly price is one-fifth of Netflix’s.

If all you want to stream is a particular TV show like Friends or The Big Bang Theory, check all available services in your country and see which one is the cheapest. While exclusive shows like Netflix’s Squid Games or The Boys on Amazon Prime Video can’t be found anywhere else, old hit movies and shows may be available on multiple streaming services.

Look for telecom carrier deals

Several mobile carriers (e.g., Verizon, T-Mobile) and internet providers worldwide have partnered with Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, Apple TV+, Apple Music, and more, offering them as perks with selected prepaid or postpaid plans. Check your carrier’s app or website for such deals.

For example, my brother-in-law enjoys a complimentary Netflix subscription through his cellular plan!

Check for partnered coupons and discounts

To reach a wider audience, many music and video streaming services partner with companies outside their niche to offer coupon codes or discounts when you sign up for their paid plans.

For example, the leading food delivery service in my country partners with Amazon to offer a significant discount for signing up for Prime Video using their special code. Additionally, after every food order, they display a scratch card that may include discount codes for subscribing to Audible, Spotify, etc.

If you come across such offers, save them to your iPhone Notes app and use them when signing up for a streaming service.

Research deals or promotions

When it’s time to subscribe to a service, do a web search and look for promotional offerings.

For example, Apple regularly offers free Music and TV+ trial subscriptions for 3 or 6 months when you buy a new Apple product like an iPhone or Mac. Similarly, it gives away Apple TV+ at no extra cost to students who subscribe to Apple Music (which is already provided at a lower cost for college students).

Downgrade or cancel your other subscriptions to buy a new one

A penny saved is a penny earned.

So, if you’re on the fence about subscribing to an entertainment service, go through your existing subscriptions and see if you can downgrade or cancel some of them to save money. You can use these freed-up funds to subscribe to a new streaming service.

Lastly, don’t forget to check out these 11 tips to keep your app subscriptions under control.

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