Subscriptions are big business. The average US consumer spends over $1,000 a year on them, while Europeans spend north of $800 — slightly less, but still significant.
But the real headline news isn't their widespread popularity. But the fact that consumers are finding it increasingly hard to stay on top of them.
The average American spends 2.5 times more on subscriptions than they think they do, with 42% admitting they've completely forgotten about at least one. In the UK, meanwhile, unused subscriptions collectively cost consumers $921 million a year.
No surprise then, that there's growing demand for apps that streamline and simplify subscription management. And, according to a 2025 MasterCard and FT Strategies survey, most consumers think their banking app should do it.
But are banks listening and delivering? Or is this still a largely untapped opportunity?