Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Monthly or Annual Subscription: How to Choose
Updated September 2026: in 2021 I was put off Apple One by its price and the lack of an annual plan, since I prefer paying yearly to avoid monthly charges. I have rewritten it into a guide to choosing between monthly and annual subscriptions.
Once people start a subscription, they tend to keep it for years. When I looked at Apple One, the price felt high and there was no yearly option. I usually prefer annual plans, to avoid recurring monthly payments and often to pay less overall.
Does Apple One offer an annual plan?
Apple One has been sold as a monthly subscription. Some individual Apple services, such as iCloud+ and Apple TV+ in certain regions, have offered annual options. Check the current plans in India in your Apple Account settings, since options change.
When is an annual plan better?
- You are sure to use the service all year.
- The annual price is noticeably cheaper than twelve months.
- You want fewer payments to track.
When is monthly better?
- You use the service in bursts, such as a streaming app when a new season arrives.
- You are trying a service for the first time.
- The discount for annual is small.
How do recurring payments work in India?
Under RBI rules on recurring card payments, many subscriptions use e-mandates, and you receive a notification before each charge above a limit. UPI AutoPay works similarly. These make it easier to see and cancel subscriptions from your bank or UPI app.
Can you switch from monthly to annual later?
Usually, yes. Many services let you change the plan in account settings, with the new billing starting at the next renewal. Start monthly while you decide, then switch if you find yourself using the service every month.
How do you avoid paying for forgotten subscriptions?
Keep a list of subscriptions and renewal dates, review it every few months, and cancel anything you have not used in the last month. Check your bank and UPI mandate lists, which often reveal subscriptions you had forgotten.
Was I right to hesitate?
Yes. Without an annual discount, a bundle is worth it only if you use most of what it includes, every month.