Time to spring clean your subscriptions? How forgotten sign-ups and unexpected charges can add up

At least one subscription probably leaves your current account every month. These days, many of us rely on them. From food kits and razor deliveries to the latest binge-worthy series, more and more services arrive at our doors – or appear instantly on our phones and TVs.

With a new season around the corner, it’s a natural moment to take stock. So we looked at how much people across the UK are really spending on subscriptions. Do people even know what they’re signed up to? And how many have been caught out by unexpected monthly costs?

To find out, we surveyed 2,000 UK adults to discover: 

Based on Monzo insights, the number of people who have subscriptions increased by 24% between January 2025 to 2026 – from 1.25 million to 1.54 million. 

Our survey shows that the average monthly spend on subscriptions in the UK is around £38.18 per person, which is equivalent to £1.74 billion nationally. Most people (20%) spend £30-£49 each month, 19% spend up to £75, and 4% spend even more. 

Our research revealed that around one in five people across the UK don’t know how many services they currently subscribe to, meaning almost £40 could be leaving their accounts each month without them knowing exactly what it’s for. Forgetful subscribers were most common in Yorkshire and the Humber (23%), followed by the West Midlands and Greater London (22%). 

One of the biggest reasons? Forgotten free trials. We’ve all signed up for a ‘free month’, fully intending to cancel, only to let it slip. As a result, 38% of people have been hit with an unexpected charge, equivalent to around 21 million people across the UK. 

It’s highest among Gen Z (18–24), with six in ten saying they’ve been caught out, showing just how much they rely on these kinds of services. That compares to 34% of Gen X (45-54) and 19% of Baby Boomers (55+). 

While 32% of Monzo users stack multiple services, 68% keep it to just one subscription. 

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean ruthlessly cancelling everything. It’s more about figuring out what still earns its place – keeping the subscriptions you love, upgrading the ones you use all the time, and finally saying goodbye to the ones you forgot you even had. Like the streaming service you signed up to for that one show… which you’re still paying for months later.

And it turns out this seasonal reset is already in full swing. According to Monzo data, subscription spending actually peaks in March, as people refresh, swap and upgrade their services.  

But while some are levelling up, others are logging off, with our survey suggesting around 8.4 million adults across the UK are planning to cancel at least one subscription in the next three months, proving spring really is the season of out with the old, in with the new. 

We asked UK adults about their favourite subscriptions and calculated the annual cost.

Overall, Monzo’s internal user data found that 90% of subscription spending goes on streaming and entertainment. Our consumer research also revealed that streaming service Netflix was the most popular subscription, with a third (33%) admitting that it's the one they couldn’t live without. 

However, the highest per-user spend isn’t always the most popular. Monzo users are happier to pay more when subscriptions feel like helpful tools, rather than just indulgences: 

🎓 Learning and productivity: £55 per user  

🤖 AI tools: £45 per user  

💪 Fitness: increasingly protected spending, meaning people keep them for a long time  

🐾 Groceries and pet food: more people are choosing to buy these household essentials via subscription

We’ve put together five simple steps to help you see what you’re paying for, and decide what to keep, upgrade, or cancel. 

Subscriptions can be easy to forget, but not if you know where to look. With a paid Monzo plan,  customers can use Trends and scheduled payments to see all their subscriptions in one place, making it easier to review what’s active, and decide what stays or goes. 

If you haven’t used it in the last month – or forgot you even had it – that’s a clear sign it might be time to let it go. As our insights have shown, those small monthly costs add up fast over a year. 

Spring cleaning isn’t just about cutting back. If you use something every day, switching to a better plan, bundle, or annual subscription could actually save you money overall. 

Setting money aside specifically for the subscriptions you do want to keep can help you stay organised and avoid surprises when payments go out. Whether you’re budgeting for a streaming service or a pet food subscription, you can use Pots to separate your money however you like.

With UK adults spending an average of £38 a month on subscriptions – and millions getting caught out by unexpected charges – now’s the perfect time to see where your money’s going. A quick review can help you stay on top of your spending, avoid surprises, and make sure your subscriptions are working for you, not against you.

Monzo current account required. UK residents only. Ts&Cs apply.

Research methodology