Subscription Detector & Cost Calculator
Review recurring charges, annualize their cost, and flag subscriptions worth checking.
Different rhythms, one annual view
The register keeps the original cadence while making costs comparable.
How recurring charges are annualized
Each charge is multiplied by the number of billing periods in a year. Monthly charges use 12 periods, four-weekly charges use 13, weekly charges use 52, quarterly charges use four, and annual charges use one.
| Cadence | Charges per year | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | Frequent charges can look small in isolation. |
| Every four weeks | 13 | It is not the same as twelve monthly charges. |
| Monthly | 12 | The charge can be compared on an annual basis. |
| Quarterly | 4 | Short statement windows may hide it. |
| Annual | 1 | A thirteen-month review is needed to see a repeat. |
Preserve the billing cadence
Four-weekly billing is not treated as monthly. Keeping the original interval prevents one annual payment from disappearing in a short statement review.
Estimate cost per reported use
Annual cost is divided by twelve times the entered monthly uses. When no use is entered, the tool leaves cost per use blank instead of inventing a denominator.
Flag for review, not automatic cancellation
A charge is flagged when its role is marked Review first, or when an optional service has less than one reported use per month. Essential or contractual charges keep their stated context instead of receiving an automatic cancellation signal.
How to use the subscription review
Use the review queue to identify missing context, not presumed waste. Compare annual cost with actual use, service role, renewal timing, replacements, and cancellation terms. Verify the billing owner before acting.
What manual subscription detection misses
- Charges that are not entered
- Annual renewals outside the statements you reviewed
- Merchant-name changes and payment-processor aliases
- Contract terms, refunds, and future price changes
Questions about recurring-charge results
Does this tool find subscriptions automatically?
No. It compares the recurring charges you enter. Review statements, app stores, digital wallets, and bundled services first so forgotten payment methods are not missed.
Why is four-weekly billing different from monthly billing?
A four-week cycle normally creates 13 charges across 52 weeks. A monthly service normally creates 12 charges, so treating both as monthly understates the four-weekly cost.
Does a low-use flag mean I should cancel?
No. It identifies a charge that deserves review. Essential backup access, contract terms, family use, or a high replacement cost can justify keeping a rarely used service.
Continue with the Subscriptions & Recurring Charges guide, or use the complete forgotten-subscription audit method.