How I Save Money on Digital Subscriptions: 12 Tried Methods
Welcome to the world of not owning, where almost everything we use today (and in the future) is a subscription. From apps to music, videos, games, and many more, subscriptions have become inevitable.
While digital subscriptions may look cheap at first, they can end up costing you more, especially as subscription prices tend to increase over time. That’s why I highly appreciate developers who still offer their digital products as a one-time purchase, although it’s becoming increasingly rare.
In this post, I have put together some simple ways to help you get your favorite apps, services, and any digital products that require a subscription at a lower price and save money in the long run.
Please note that this guide may not be applicable to all kinds of digital subscriptions and does not cover using free alternatives such as open-source or self-hosted options.
So, let’s dive in and find some hacks to save money on those digital subscriptions!
1. Direct Contribution
Contributing directly to the development of digital products can help you save on digital subscriptions. Many open-source app developers offer rewards to contributors, and the reward offered depends on how much you contribute.
Personally, I prefer credit for using the product as it can be redeemed as payment, effectively allowing you to use the product for free. Some credits last for months, while others can last for up to two years. It’s important to note that contributing is voluntary, and rewards depend on the company’s generosity.
To save money this way, research the apps you frequently use to see if they have any such policy. However, I recommend contributing for fun and not just for the reward. Some companies have clear reward systems available on their website, while others may not have any information available.
Adguard is a great example of a company with a clear rewards system. Adguard grants a one-year license to individuals who help in localizing their app. NextDNS also rewards individuals with a free subscription when they contribute to translating their app. There are plenty of software companies out there that offer rewards for contributions made by individuals, similar to what Adguard and NextDNS do.
Direct Contribution
Saving: 100% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 4/4 contributions.
2. Beta Testing
Another effective way to save on digital subscriptions is through beta testing. Many companies offer their apps for free to beta testers in exchange for bug reports or similar feedback.
There are several ways to get into beta programs. Some developers have an official process through their website, while others use Apple TestFlight or Google Play Services Public Beta Program.
I have tried all the ways to get into beta programs, but the most successful for me has been through the developer’s website or by developer invitation. I was only successful in obtaining 1 year of free subscription for 1 app through Apple TestFlight. In contrast, the Google Play Services Public Beta Program was like installing a regular application without any benefits.
When you join TestFlight, either by invitation or through a shared link, you can upgrade an app through in-app purchase without being charged. However, whether the developer grants you a free subscription or not ultimately depends on them. Many developers only provide temporary grants, such as a trial period of 24 hours or 3 to 7 days, rather than an actual free monthly or annual subscription.
Personally, I have had more success joining beta programs through the developer’s website than through TestFlight. I mainly use TestFlight to get a preview of new features that will be released.
Beta Testing
Saving: 100% off.
Status: Tried with very low success rate from 2/many apps.
3. Student Discount
My favorite way to save money on digital subscriptions is through student discounts. This method is popular among students and many companies have implemented it.
Popular apps like Apple Music, YouTube Premium, Spotify, Notion, Canva, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk and many more offer student discounts.
You only need to use your college email, and some may require verification with a student ID or other official document.
By taking advantage of student discounts, you can save money on apps or any digital subscriptions for the entire duration of your studies, which is generally around 4 years. With student discounts, you can get discounts of at least 30% off, with many offering half-price or even free subscriptions.
Not only can you save money, but you can also maximize your learning experience with access to a wide range of educational tools and resources at a discounted price.
Student Discount
Saving: 60% – 100% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 11/11 digital products.
4. Buy from Marketplace
There are many apps or SaaS marketplaces available for purchasing digital products, but personally, I prefer AppSumo. While many SaaS companies require recurring payments, AppSumo offers the option to pay only once and use the product indefinitely.
However, not every app is available on AppSumo and the ones that are offered are only available for a limited period of time. Before making a purchase, it’s important to do thorough research as some apps may be overpromised.
But the good news is that AppSumo offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, which provides ample time to try out the product and see if it fits your needs.
Overall, buying from AppSumo can be a great way to save money on digital subscriptions, but you need to take advantage of the platform’s offerings and do your research before making any purchases.
Buy from Marketplace
Saving: Up to 90% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 1/1 apps.
5. Black Friday, Cyber Monday
My favorite way to save money on digital products, after student discount, is by taking advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
These annual events take place on the last Friday in November and the first Monday in December, and many companies offer significant discounts on their products during this time.
You can save on average at least 30% off or even up to 50% off.
However, it’s important to keep track of the original price of the app you want to buy months before, as some apps may manipulate prices to make it look like a discount, but it may not be discounted at all. Be sure to do your research and compare prices to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible.
By waiting for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you can save a significant amount of money on digital subscriptions.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday
Saving: 30% – 50% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 3/3 digital products.
6. Buy Directly from Developer
Buying app, games or any in-app purchase directly from the developer can be a great way to save money.
This is because Apple and Google take a cut of at least 15% and up to 30% when you buy an app through their respective stores.
Many developers are not keen on sharing their profits with Apple and Google, so they often increase the price of their app on these platforms by a significant margin compared to when you buy directly from them.
By purchasing digital subscriptions directly from the developer, you can avoid the additional fees and potentially save a significant amount of money. Just be sure to do your research and make sure you’re buying from a reputable developer.
Buy Directly from Developer
Saving: 15% – 30% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 2/2 apps.
7. Subscribe for Long-term
Other method to save money on digital subscriptions is to subscribe for a longer term. Companies want to keep you as a customer for as long as possible to maximize their profits, so they offer discounts when you sign up for an annual plan compared to a monthly one.
This scheme is common among software company, and it’s worth considering if you plan to use the product for an extended period of time.
However, it’s important to be cautious and not commit to a long-term plan without testing the product first. My suggestion is to start with the lowest-priced plan and sign up for the monthly option to try it out and see how the company serves its paid customers. Once you’ve determined that the product is the right fit for you, then you can commit to a longer contract to save money.
Subscribe for Long-term
Saving: 20% – 40% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 2/2 apps.
8. Parity Purchasing Power
Parity purchasing power is rarely applied to SaaS or cloud-based software. This is because cloud compute resources are often priced in US Dollars or Euros, which can make implementing parity purchasing power challenging due to the higher conversion value of these currencies compared to those in developing countries.
However, I have mostly found this scheme on digital content such as video courses, ebooks, newsletters, and other digital content. Some creators openly support this scheme and provide a direct discount at checkout, while others may require manual contact to obtain a discount code to redeem during checkout.
Parity Purchasing Power
Saving: Depending on where you live, up to 50% off.
Status: Want to try.
9. Buy with Affiliate Link
Buying from an affiliate is another method to save money on digital subscriptions. Some companies offer their apps at special discounted prices in partnership with big publications or notable people to promote their product.
However, not every affiliate is trustworthy, as some are only in it for the money. If you know the product well and trust the affiliate, then this can be a good deal. You can save up to half the price or more, but usually for long-term plans, such as one or two years.
For instance, I personally saved 50% off the first year of the 1Password Personal plan by using The Verge affiliate link.
Buy with Affiliate Link
Saving: Up to 60% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 1/1 apps.
10. Buy with Referral Link
Unlike buying from an affiliate, referral uses existing customers to promote the product instead of partnering with publications or notable persons. This method is considered more trustworthy as the recommendation comes from someone who actually uses the product.
Both the referee and the referral receive benefits from the company, which can either be non-financial or financial depending on the company’s policy. In most cases, the benefits come in the form of additional value for using the product, such as an additional free month or credit to spend on the service.
For example, if you sign up for Proton Mail Plus using my referral link, both of us will get 1 free month of the Proton Mail Plus plan subscription. Or, when you sign up for Vultr using my referral link, you will get $100 welcome credit, and I may get some credit to spend on Vultr too. It’s a win-win situation for both of us.
Buy with Referral Link
Saving: Up to 20% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 1/1 apps.
11. Promotional Email
Subscribing to promotional email can be a great way to save money on digital subscriptions, although it’s not for everyone. Some people may not like their inbox cluttered with promotional emails.
However, if you’re selective and only subscribe to services you really like, you may find some great deals.
Personally, I’ve gotten a 90% discount from a WP Rocket email promotion in the past. I often find discount offers ranging from 10% to 50% in promotional emails.
It’s worth noting that not all promotional newsletters offer discounts, so you may need to do some searching to find the right ones. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, you could save a significant amount of money over time.
Promotional Email
Saving: Up to 50% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 1/1 apps.
12. Group Buying
Some digital products or services offer lower prices for multiple users, so you can invite your friends or family to join you in a group purchase and all save up to 60%.
It’s a win-win situation, as the company gets more customers and you get a lower price for the digital subscription.
This method is particularly useful for services that you may want to share with others, like streaming services, cloud storage or project management tools.
It’s a great way to cut costs while still being able to enjoy the service with your loved ones.
Group Buying
Saving: Up to 60% off.
Status: Want to try.
13. Gift Card
Another way to save on digital subscriptions is by buying or receiving gift cards. Although not all companies offer this method, some do.
Instead of paying for a subscription directly, you can purchase a gift card for a lower price, for example, $100, but with a higher value, like $150. You can then redeem the code from the gift card to pay for your digital subscription.
This method can be an excellent way to save money, especially if you plan to use the service for an extended period. However, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully before buying a gift card to ensure that it can be used for the digital subscription you want to purchase.
Gift Card
Saving: Up to 60% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 1/1 apps.
14. Ask for Discount
If you’re interested in a digital product, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to the creator and ask if they’re able to offer a discount. Sometimes creators are generous enough to give you a discount, even if it’s not clearly stated on their website.
Just be honest about your situation and let them know that you’re interested in supporting them but can’t afford the full price.
Of course, don’t expect too much since creators also need to earn money to pay their bills. But you might be surprised at how accommodating they can be, especially if they appreciate your interest in their product.
Ask for Discount
Saving: Up to 30% off.
Status: Tried with 100% success rate from 1/1 digital produts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many ways to save money on digital subscriptions. As digital products are often cheaper to produce and can be sold multiple times, it’s beneficial to find ways to save on these services.
I have personally experimented with most of the methods discussed above and have found them to be effective in saving money. While some methods can be combined, others stand alone.
By taking advantage of these methods, you can save a lot of money in the long run while still enjoying the digital services you love.
So why not give them a try and see how much you can save?
This page may contain affiliate/referral links, by purchasing via those links it means you are supporting me to keep creating. Read the affiliate disclosure to learn more.