OTT subscriptions have become a major expense today, with users spending anywhere between â‚ą500 to â‚ą2,000 monthly on multiple streaming services at a time. While these platforms provide great entertainment and give you the break you need, the costs can quickly add up, especially if you have multiple services. The good news? With a few smart saving tips, you can reduce this expense big time and easily save up to 50% of your subscription budget annually. This guide walks you through practical tips to cut down on your OTT spending while enjoying the content you love.
10 Ways To Save On OTT Subscriptions
Streaming platforms offer endless entertainment, but the costs can add up fast. Use these 10 smart tips to enjoy your favorite shows while keeping your budget in check.
1. Assess Your Viewing Habits
Make a list of all the streaming services you’ve subscribed to and separate the ones you use the most from the ones you hardly watch. If you haven’t used a particular service in months, consider canceling the subscription. Also, see if any of your shows are available on multiple platforms so you don’t have to pay twice for the same content.
2. Use Free Trials
Many streaming services come with a free trial period. Use these to check out new platforms, and only subscribe to them if you actually find a bulk of movies, shows, or documentaries to your liking. Amazon Prime, for instance, has a 30-day free trial. So you use one trial fully before moving on to the next. Just remember to cancel before your trial ends to avoid charges.
The table below highlights the different prices of OTT platforms and tells you which ones give free trials.
| Platform | Monthly | Annual Price | Free Trial |
| Disney+ Hotstar | â‚ą299 | â‚ą1,499 | 3-month free trial for eligible users |
| Amazon Prime Video | â‚ą299 | â‚ą1,499 | 30-day free trial |
| Netflix | â‚ą149 to â‚ą649 | N/A | No free trial |
| ZEE5 | â‚ą299 | â‚ą1,199 | 1-month free trial for ACT Fibernet users |
| Sony LIV | â‚ą299 | â‚ą1,499 | No free trial |
| JioCinema | N/A | N/A | No free trial |
3. Look for Bundle Deals
When subscribing to a streaming service, check if they have bundled packages that combine other subscriptions at lower rates. If you’ve noticed, Disney+ Hoststar offers a bundle that includes Hulu and ESPN+ in some areas. Additionally, platforms like OTTplay, Times Prime, and Watcho offer bundle subscriptions that give you access to multiple OTT services in one plan. Check with your internet or mobile provider to see if they offer streaming services as part of their plans.
4. Rotate Your Subscriptions
Instead of paying for several services at once, subscribe to one or two at a time. Watch your favorite shows on one platform, then cancel and switch to another when new content is available. This way, you always have something new to watch without paying for multiple subscriptions.
5. Choose Plans with Ads
If advertisements aren’t much of a bother to you, then choose ad-supported plans which are cheaper. You can check out services like Hulu and Peacock that offer these plans. It may be an inconvenience at first to watch ads in between movies but eventually, you’ll get used to it.
6. Try Free Streaming Services
Have you looked for free OTT platforms? Although they may have a lower loading time and more ads, they still have good content that may interest you. Services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle are ad-supported but have a wide range of shows and movies. You can also check out public domain platforms like Internet Archive for classic films and TV shows.
7. Look for Coupons & DealsÂ
You can save more on your subscriptions by using GrabOn to find exclusive OTT coupons. GrabOn regularly offers discounts for platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar, helping you pay less for your favorite streaming services. Before subscribing or renewing, check GrabOn for the latest deals – it’s an easy way to cut down costs without missing out on great content.
8. Share Subscriptions
Share your subscriptions with family or friends to split the cost. Many services like Netflix and Amazon Prime allow multiple profiles under one account, making it easy to share. In fact, if you choose a family or group plan over an individual one, you’re paying much less in the longer run with everyone benefiting from it.
9. Use Payment Offers and Discounts
Some credit cards and digital wallets offer discounts or cashback on streaming services. For example, some banks give 10% to 20% cashback when you pay for Netflix or Spotify with their credit card. Look out for deals during festive seasons or Black Friday sales.
10. Look for Renewals
Make sure you know when your subscriptions are set to renew. Set reminders so you don’t accidentally pay for services you don’t use. Turn off auto-renewal for services you only plan to use temporarily.
Wrapping Up
When picking the right OTT platform, focus on the content you enjoy, like movies, sports, or original shows. Compare the features, prices, and benefits of each service to find the best value for you. Look out for seasonal discounts or bundle deals to save more. Remember, the best platform isn’t always the one with the most features – it’s the one that fits your lifestyle and entertainment preferences.
