Top 10 Subscriptions Indians Forget to Cancel (And Their Cost)
A detailed guide listing the most commonly forgotten recurring services in India and how CancelMates can help you track and cancel them before the next billing cycle.
The Most Forgotten Subscriptions at a Glance
| Subscription Type | Common Cost (Approx.) | Why You Forget |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming (Netflix, Hotstar) | ₹149 - ₹649 / mo | 'Set and forget' after one show. |
| Amazon Prime | ₹1499 / yr | Yearly renewal is easy to miss. |
| Music (Spotify, Gaana) | ₹99 - ₹129 / mo | Subscribed to multiple to test them. |
| Gym Memberships | ₹1500 - ₹3000 / mo | High-friction cancellation process. |
| Cloud Storage (Google One) | ₹130 - ₹650 / mo | Low-cost, 'invisible' background charge. |
| Indian OTTs (Zee5, SonyLIV) | ₹299 - ₹999 / yr | Subscribed for a single movie or series. |
| Online Courses | ₹500 - ₹2000 / mo | Lost interest but auto-renewal continues. |
| VPN / Antivirus | ₹2000 - ₹4000 / yr | Auto-renews at a higher, non-sale price. |
| Credit Card 'Premium' Plans | ₹99 - ₹499 / mo | Hidden fees or unclear add-ons. |
| Food Delivery (Zomato Gold) | ₹999 / 3 mo | Ordering habits change. |
1. Streaming Services (Netflix / Hotstar)
The Trap: The classic 'set it and forget it. You might have upgraded to a premium plan for a big match or a movie premiere and never downgraded. Or maybe you subscribed for one specific show and forgot to cancel after it ended.
CancelMates Tip: Add your streaming plans to our dashboard. We'll send you a reminder 3 days before your next billing date, giving you time to decide if you still need it. Our guides also provide a direct link to the cancellation page.
2. Amazon Prime
The Trap: The yearly renewal is the biggest trap here. It's easy to forget about a payment that only happens once a year until ₹1499 suddenly disappears from your account. You might also have signed up just for a Prime Day sale and forgotten to turn off auto-renew.
CancelMates Tip: Yearly plans are where CancelMates shines. Add your Prime renewal date, and we'll notify you well in advance so you can make a conscious choice to renew or cancel.
3. Music Streaming (Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn)
The Trap: Often, people try out multiple services to see which one has the better library, subscribe to both, and then forget to cancel the one they use less. These small monthly charges of ₹99-₹129 add up quickly.
CancelMates Tip: See all your music apps side-by-side in your dashboard. You might discover you're paying for two or three services when you only need one.
4. Gym Memberships
The Trap: This is the most infamous forgotten subscription. You sign up with great intentions in January, but by March, life gets in the way. Because it's often a larger amount paid by auto-debit, people are hesitant to go through the hassle of cancelling.
CancelMates Tip: Add your gym membership and its cost. Seeing that ₹2,000 monthly charge in your total spend overview is a powerful motivator to either get back to the gym or cancel the plan.
5. Cloud Storage (Google One, iCloud)
The Trap: You get a notification that your storage is full, you click 'upgrade' for a small monthly fee, and then you never think about it again. It's a low-cost, high-volume charge that quietly ticks away in the background.
CancelMates Tip: Track this in the 'Utilities' category. It helps you remember what you're paying for and decide if you really need that extra 100GB.
6. Indian OTTs (Zee5 / SonyLIV)
The Trap: Similar to Netflix, you often subscribe for a specific regional movie or a cricket series. With so many platforms, it's incredibly easy to lose track of which ones are active.
CancelMates Tip: Our India-first platform makes it easy to add all local OTT services. Use categories to see exactly how much you're spending on 'Entertainment' each month.
7. Online Courses (Unacademy, Coursera)
The Trap: You sign up for a course to learn a new skill, but either finish it early or lose interest. The subscription, however, continues until you actively cancel it.
CancelMates Tip: Add the course with a specific end date. Get a reminder so you can cancel promptly and not pay for access you no longer need.
8. VPNs or Antivirus Software
The Trap: Like Amazon Prime, these are often yearly subscriptions bought during a sale. A year later, the service auto-renews at a much higher, non-discounted rate, catching you by surprise.
CancelMates Tip: Avoid the 'renewal shock'. Track your software's yearly billing cycle in CancelMates to decide if you want to renew or look for another deal.
9. Credit Card 'Protection' or Premium Plans
The Trap: These are often hidden fees or optional add-ons that you might have agreed to over the phone. They appear as small, cryptic charges on your statement that are easy to ignore.
CancelMates Tip: Add any recurring credit card fees to your dashboard. It brings transparency to your statement and helps you question and cancel unnecessary charges.
10. Food Delivery Subscriptions (Zomato Gold, Swiggy One)
The Trap: You subscribe to get free delivery, but then your ordering habits change, or you start using a different service. The membership, however, keeps renewing.
CancelMates Tip: Are you really getting value from your membership? By tracking the cost in CancelMates, you can better assess if the monthly fee is worth the benefits you're receiving.
Take Back Control of Your Money
These silent charges are costing you more than you realize. The first step to saving money is knowing exactly where it's going. By seeing all your recurring payments in one place, you can make informed decisions and stop wasting money.
👉 Start Tracking for Free on CancelMates