₹ Streaming Ghost Calculator
Those forgotten subscriptions are haunting your bank account! Find out how much you're wasting on services you barely use.
₹ Ghost-O-Meter
₹ Your Ghost Subscriptions
₹ Smart Streaming Tips
- ₹ Rotate subscriptions - binge one, cancel, move to next
- 💰 Share family plans - split costs with friends
- ₹ Set calendar reminders before free trials end
- ⚡ Check for annual plans - often 40% cheaper
- ₹ Use bank offers for subscription discounts
📖 How to Use Streaming Subscription Ghost Calculator
- Select Your Subscriptions: Check all OTT platforms you currently subscribe to
- Enter Monthly Usage: Input how many hours per month you actually use each service
- Review Ghost Analysis: See which subscriptions are "ghosts" (barely used but still paid)
- Check Opportunity Cost: Understand what unused subscriptions cost you over 5-10 years
- Get Smart Tips: Learn strategies like subscription rotation and family plan sharing
₹ Why Your Streaming Subscriptions Are Haunting You
Remember when Netflix was the only streaming platform and ₹500/month got you everything? Those days are long gone. Today, the average Indian household juggles 4-6 streaming subscriptions: Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, JioCinema, SonyLIV, Zee5, and more.
Here's the scary truth: Most people use only 2-3 platforms regularly but pay for 5-6. That's what we call "ghost subscriptions"—services that haunt your bank statement every month but barely get watched. You subscribed for Succession on Hotstar, binged it in 2 weeks, but kept paying for 18 months. You got Prime for free delivery but the ₹1,499/year includes Prime Video, which you use maybe 3 hours a month.
Let's do the math: If you're paying ₹1,500/month for streaming services you barely use, that's ₹18,000/year. Over 10 years, invested at 12% returns, that becomes ₹3.5 lakhs. That's a decent vacation in Europe or a down payment on a car—just by canceling ghost subscriptions.
The solution isn't canceling everything—it's smart subscription management. Rotate subscriptions: binge Netflix for 3 months, cancel, switch to Hotstar for IPL season, then Prime for festive shopping. Share family plans with friends (Netflix allows 4 screens, split ₹649 = ₹162 each). Use annual plans (often 30-40% cheaper than monthly).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "ghost subscription"?
A ghost subscription is any streaming service you pay for but barely use—typically less than 5 hours per month. Common examples: You subscribed to Disney+ Hotstar for IPL but kept it for 12 months. You got Apple TV+ for Ted Lasso but watched nothing else after. These "ghosts" silently drain your wallet every month.
How many streaming services should I keep active?
Realistically, 2-3 active subscriptions at any time is optimal for most people. Keep 1-2 that you use consistently (e.g., Netflix + Prime for delivery benefits) and rotate a third based on content (Hotstar during cricket season, SonyLIV for Champions League, etc.). This keeps costs around ₹800-1,200/month instead of ₹2,000+.
Is subscription rotation worth the hassle?
Absolutely! Here's the strategy: Subscribe to Netflix for 3 months (₹1,947), binge everything new, cancel. Switch to Hotstar for IPL + HBO content (₹1,499/year during offer season). Then Prime Video for 3 months. This rotation costs you ~₹5,000-6,000/year instead of ₹18,000+ keeping all active year-round. The "hassle" is 5 minutes every quarter—worth ₹12,000/year saved!
What about family plan sharing—is it legal?
Yes, family plan sharing within your household is legal and encouraged by platforms. Netflix explicitly allows 2-4 screens depending on your plan. Prime Video allows 3 devices. Problems arise when sharing across 10 random friends—that's against ToS and increasingly being cracked down on. Sharing with 2-3 close family/friends? Totally fine and saves everyone money.
Are annual plans really cheaper?
Yes, significantly! Examples: Disney+ Hotstar: ₹1,499/year vs ₹299/month (saves ₹2,089). YouTube Premium: ₹1,290/year vs ₹149/month (saves ₹498). Amazon Prime: ₹1,499/year vs ₹179/month (saves ₹649). If you're certain you'll use a service for 12 months, annual plans offer 25-40% savings. Bonus: Many banks offer additional discounts on annual plans during sale seasons.
What should I do with the money I save?
Redirect ghost subscription savings into a monthly SIP! If you cut ₹1,000/month in unused subscriptions and invest that in a Nifty 50 index fund at 12% annual returns, you'll have ₹2.3 lakhs in 10 years. That's real wealth creation from money that was earlier just "vanishing" into barely-watched content. Start with even ₹500/month—consistency matters more than amount.