How To Save Money on Streaming Services—Spend Less, Gain More

Vault’s Viewpoint

• Start by thinking about what you want to gain from your budget streaming setup—getting as honest as possible so you can begin to search for the best possible package.
• After you do this, shop around and identify which services offer the best range of perks at the time of your search.
• Don’t be afraid to change it up if your current budget streaming setup isn’t working.

Save Money on Streaming Services by Rotating Your Memberships

There’s no rule that states that you have to be loyal to a given streaming service, especially if they’re not connecting you to the high-quality, engaging content that you’re looking for. Estimated churn rates across streaming services remains at approximately 47% on an annual basis. While some users may switch services because they are dissatisfied with the quality of the service, the content available or because they simply changed their spending habits, many are likely following this pro rotation “tip”—giving them access to fresh, engaging content on a rolling basis.

It’s simple to begin. The first step requires research. Consider the content available on some competitor streaming services, and determine which of the alternative options have any current or upcoming releases you want to watch. If there are multiple releases you’re interested in, jot down the information in a notebook or a spreadsheet to help keep you organized.

Then, sign on with the most competitive service—disengaging from one service and swapping to the next prior to the release date of any new shows you want to watch. Not only will you get instant access to new content, you may also get to enjoy a suite of incentive packages that companies reserve for clients who are off-boarding or re-engaging with them.

Perfect Your Budget Streaming Setup by Sticking to Monthly Billing Cycles

While some may save money by opting for annual billing, others might prefer the flexibility that month-to-month billing offers. If you’re looking to stay more liquid at this point in time, consider switching to monthly billing across your subscriptions.

This simple swap can offer you more immediate savings, and you can always swap to annual billing later if you want to save more over the long run. Consider speaking with a sales rep or exploring the site policies before making the switch, however. Some services might offer discounts for swapping to annual billing that could offer you more overall benefits than you’d otherwise have.

No matter which option you choose, we recommend keeping a budget and writing down payment dates in your calendar system of choice. That way you can visualize your full financial landscape.

Pick (and Stick) With Just One or Two Options

Rather than invest in all of the streaming platforms that have your favorite shows, indulge in just one or two options at a time. Then, stick with them—at least until the next release drops on another platform!

Choosing just one or two streaming services at a time (rather than four or five) helps keep you from under-using all of them. It also helps you stay financially lean as you binge on your favorite shows. While it may seem like you’re limiting yourself; you’re actually maximizing the benefit you get from each service before swapping them out or discontinuing them.

Embrace or Avoid Live TV As You Plan Your Budget Streaming Setup

While some streaming bundles can save you money over time (such as Hulu’s famous Disney+ and ESPN bundle), we recommend steering clear of live TV bundles—or planning your budget accordingly.

For those who primarily consume on-demand content, live TV add-ons might mean wasted dollars. Additionally, you may not be able to get local channels, which further diminishes the value for those looking for a suitable alternative to cable.

If you’re trying to get the best of both worlds, you might consider opting into an a lá carte service like Sling—which offers on-demand and live TV content in a cost-effective, modular way.

Get the Full Benefit From Your Free Trial

One of the most overlooked ways to save money on streaming services is to fully explore the service during your free trial. Sign up for the service during a slow week at work or school, and see what selections your service of choice has to offer. Don’t forget to whip out that calendar app and cancel your subscription before the trial period ends, however, or you’ll be billed for the full month of service.

Dig Deep and Explore Free Streaming Services

If you want to know how to save money on streaming, you should definitely consider utilizing some free streaming services. While it may seem too good to be true, there are reputable streaming services that offer some high-value titles at no cost to you.

So what’s the catch? You’ll have to sit through some pretty serious ad breaks. If you don’t mind that and have some extra time on your hands, this option can be equally as competitive as some other streaming alternatives.

Quality free streaming services to consider include:

• Tubi
• Freevee
• Pluto TV
• Fandango at Home

Check Your Apps, Cards and Other Memberships

One of the best ways to save money on streaming services is to find and utilize any bundles or deals that are already available to you. Some credit cards offer credits toward streaming service subscriptions, while others may offer bonus rewards or cash back. Either can help you save on your favorite streaming services.

Additionally, you may already belong to some paid membership services that offer savings bundles or free trials with participating streaming services. Set aside some time to go through the credit cards, apps and memberships you already have to see if they offer additional opportunities to save on streaming.

What Do I Need To Arrange My Budget Streaming Setup?

Now that you know how to save money on streaming, it’s time to explore what you’ll need to stream comfortably and affordably at home or on the go. Luckily, the list is fairly simple.

First, you’ll need a device (or devices) that you’ll use to watch streaming content. This can include a laptop, smartphone or TV. You’ll also need a reliable internet connection. Simply download the streaming app to your device, sign in to your account and you are set to go!

If you’re streaming content on your TV, you’ll also need to decide how you want your streaming content delivered to your device. Although “smart TVs” allow you to stream certain apps directly from the TV, internet connectivity and buffering issues can sometimes be a problem. Third-party devices, like a Roku box or Amazon Fire TV Stick, can help to deliver streaming content in a reliable and efficient manner.