Best Subscription Services Worth Paying For (And How to Get Them Cheaper)

Subscription services have become a staple in modern life, offering everything from entertainment to productivity tools. But with so many options available, which ones actually deliver value for money? More importantly—how can you get them at a discount?

This guide covers the top subscription services worth keeping in 2024, along with legitimate ways to reduce costs—from bundling deals to cashback offers.

1. Streaming Services: Entertainment That Pays Off

Netflix (Standard Plan: $15.49/month)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Largest content library (originals, movies, series)
• Multiple profiles for family sharing
• Downloadable content for offline viewing

💰 How to Save:

• Split costs with family/friends (up to 4 profiles)
• Look for T-Mobile or Verizon perks (free Netflix with certain plans)
• Downgrade to the ad-supported plan ($6.99/month)

Spotify Premium ($10.99/month)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Ad-free music and podcasts
• Offline listening
• Superior algorithm for music discovery

💰 How to Save:

• Student discount ($5.99/month with verification)
• Family plan ($16.99/month for 6 accounts)
• Pay annually (saves ~15% vs. monthly)

2. Productivity & Cloud Storage

Microsoft 365 Personal ($6.99/month)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Full Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• 1TB OneDrive cloud storage
• Regular updates

💰 How to Save:

• Buy a yearly subscription (~70/yearvs.70/yearvs.84 monthly)
• Look for promo codes (often available during back-to-school season)

Google One (100GB: $1.99/month)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Expands Google Drive storage
• Includes VPN and dark web monitoring
• Shared storage for family plans

💰 How to Save:

• Pay annually (19.99vs.19.99vs.23.88 monthly)
• Bundle with YouTube Premium (discounts available)

3. Food & Grocery Subscriptions

HelloFresh ($7.99+/meal)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Saves time on meal planning
• Reduces food waste
• Easy-to-follow recipes

💰 How to Save:

• Use first-time discounts (up to 16 free meals)
• Skip weeks to avoid unnecessary charges
• Refer friends (35–35–50 credit per sign-up)

Amazon Fresh (Free with Prime)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Free grocery delivery for Prime members
• Competitive pricing on staples
• Scheduled deliveries

💰 How to Save:

• Stack with Prime Day deals (extra discounts)
• Use Subscribe & Save (5–15% off recurring orders)

4. Shopping & Membership Perks

Amazon Prime (14.99/monthor14.99/monthor139/year)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Free two-day shipping
• Prime Video, Music, and Gaming included
• Exclusive deals (Prime Day)

💰 How to Save:

• Opt for annual billing (saves ~$40/year)
• Use EBT/SNAP discounts ($6.99/month)
• Share with household (2 adults per account)

Costco Gold Star Membership ($60/year)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Bulk savings on groceries, gas, and electronics
• Additional cashback with Executive Membership ($120/year)

💰 How to Save:

• Split membership with a friend (Costco allows 2 cards)
• Wait for Groupon deals (occasional $20-off promos)

5. Health & Fitness

Peloton App ($12.99/month)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Thousands of live/on-demand workouts (no bike required)
• Yoga, strength, and meditation classes

💰 How to Save:

• Corporate discounts (check your employer benefits)
• Free trials (often 30–60 days)

Headspace ($12.99/month)

✅ Why It’s Worth It:

• Science-backed meditation programs
• Sleep aids and focus exercises

💰 How to Save:

• Student plan ($9.99/year with verification)
• Annual subscription (~70vs.70vs.156 monthly)

How to Cut Costs on Any Subscription

1. Audit Your Subscriptions – Use apps like Rocket Money to track and cancel unused services.
2. Bundle Deals – Check if your phone carrier or credit card offers free subscriptions (e.g., T-Mobile’s Netflix perk).
3. Pay Annually – Most services offer 10–20% discounts for upfront payments.
4. Use Cashback Apps – Rakuten and Capital One Shopping often offer rebates on subscriptions.
5. Negotiate Retention Offers – Complaining about price hikes can sometimes unlock discounts.

Final Verdict: Which Subscriptions Are Keepers?

Pro Tip: Rotate subscriptions—pause one service and try another to maximize variety without overspending.

Want more money-saving tips? Explore our Smart Savings & Deals section for the latest discounts!