5 ways to spend less on streaming Services

A long time ago, when Netflix first appeared, its main draw was the fact that it was cheap and made everything available. At that point, piracy suffered a tremendous blow since it suddenly became easier and more convenient to do the right thing. You just pay a handful of bucks every month, and you watch whatever you want whenever you want.

At least… that was the original idea.

Today, in order to get access to all of the content you want, you would have to pay for 4-7 streaming platforms, which is a substantial figure. 

Does this mean that subscribing to these services is no longer worth it? Of course not! It just means that you have to be a bit smarter about how you spend your money.

With that in mind, here are the top five ways to save money on streaming services.

1. Use a VPN

The first thing you need to understand is that a lot of money gets wasted on buying an additional streaming platform just to watch one show that is already available on your streaming platform but not in your country. So, your best bet would be to check if the show is available on the platform anywhere, and if you do find it, you need to find reliable VPN services in Canada so you can watch them without traveling! 

From a moral standpoint, this is infinitely better than pirating the show. Why? Well, you’re paying for the same subscription as people in another country who do have the show available. Why wouldn’t you be able to watch it?

Second, VPNs are completely legal, but you need to understand that they may be a breach of user agreement. In other words, if the platform figures out you’re using it to bypass their geo-restrictions, they may suspend your account (and subscription). However, there are not many instances of this happening.

2. Share subscriptions with family

Most streaming platforms have family plans, letting you share your subscription with several people. This means everyone gets access to the same content under one account. It’s a convenient way to keep everyone happy without paying multiple subscription fees, which can seriously add up over time.

When you share a family subscription, it’s easy to split the monthly or annual cost. Everyone can chip in a small amount, and suddenly, your streaming costs will be much lower. Why pay full price when you can split the bill with family or even trusted friends?

You can also make an arrangement where each person from this group gets another subscription, and you can rotate among yourselves. You already need more than one subscription to watch it all, so why not be a bit more strategic about it?

Family plans typically let each person have their own profile, so no worries about someone messing up your watch history. Each person can have their own favorites and recommendations. It’s a win-win, as you get a tailored experience without stepping on each other’s viewing habits. 

Just keep in mind that these things easily spiral out of control. You see, some people agree to split the bill, but the money gets withdrawn from your card, and you never see a dollar from them. This is how it often happens, and if you allow it to go in that direction, you’re not really saving money. This is almost the equivalent of online fraud, where you let someone else use a platform that you’ve paid for. 

3. Rotate streaming services

You don’t need to subscribe to every service at once. Pick one, watch all the content you want, then cancel and move on to another. This strategy helps you avoid paying for services you’re not actively using, keeping your streaming budget in check without missing out on content.

Make a list of shows and movies you want to watch on each platform. Once you’ve binged your way through a service’s best offerings, cancel your subscription and move to another one. Rotating services help you maximize what you get for your money without any wasted subscriptions.

If you’re not done watching and have a few episodes left, you can always download them on your phone. 

It’s easy to forget about subscriptions you’re not using. By rotating between streaming platforms, you can avoid those sneaky charges for services you’re not watching. This method keeps your streaming lineup fresh while making sure you only pay for what you actually use. 

Moreover, this helps you develop a habit of canceling a subscription before switching to an equivalent service. This is a habit that’s so handy in the digital world but that, sadly, a lot of people don’t practice.

Many platforms let you pause or cancel your subscription without hassle. If you know you won’t be using a service for a while, hit pause. This way, you’re not losing money during periods when you’re not interested in streaming or have other entertainment priorities. 

Look for annual subscriptions

If you know you’ll be sticking with a streaming service long-term, consider paying annually instead of monthly. Most platforms offer a discount for annual payments, so you’ll save a little extra by committing to paying upfront. It’s a smart way to enjoy content while cutting down on subscription costs. 

Paying upfront might feel like a big commitment, but it’s often cheaper overall. You’re essentially locking in a lower rate for the entire year. When you break it down month by month, the savings become clear – less stress on your wallet and more value for your money.

Annual subscriptions are only worth it if you’re sure you’ll use the service regularly. If you’re a dedicated fan of a platform and don’t see yourself switching anytime soon, this was one of the easiest ways to save. It’s ideal for platforms that you know you’ll keep watching.

Think about which service you use the most. That’s the one you should consider subscribing to annually. If you’re always watching content on a specific platform, paying yearly guarantees, you get the best deal while enjoying your go-to shows and movies without interruption. 

5. Look for bundled deals

Sometimes, streaming platforms bundle their services together at a discount. This way, you can get access to several services for a single, lower price. It’s a fantastic deal if you want variety without paying for each platform individually. So, keep an eye out for these bundle deals to save big. 

For instance, your phone or internet provider might already offer free streaming subscriptions without you even being aware of that. Many plans come with bundled streaming services as a perk. These companies use them to sweeten the deal. So, double-check your current plans because you might be missing out on free or discounted services that you already intend to use. 

You see, sometimes you’re already paying for a streaming service without realizing it. So, check your subscriptions or memberships. For instance, you get Amazon Prime as a part of their package, which means that you don’t really have to spend extra; you just have to use the account that you already have.

If you’re not sure about a bundled deal, try taking advantage of a free trial. Many bundles offer a limited-time free trial period for their services. This gives you a chance to test everything out before committing, making sure it’s worth the cost in the long run.

You have a finite number of free hours in a month

Even if you did pay for all the subscriptions, it’s physically impossible for you to watch all of them every month. This means that just being realistic and making a plan might already make a difference. For instance, in April, there’s House of the Dragon, so that’s the month when it’s worth paying for MAX. If you don’t watch other shows there, why not cancel it in June? 

Any plan is better than no plan, and above all, we have given you five simple tips you can start applying today in order to save a serious amount of money.