Annual subscription vs monthly billing (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to do monthly or annual subscriptions? ›

Monthly subscription models can attract customers due to their lower upfront costs and flexibility. Customers can easily modify their subscriptions according to evolving needs. Conversely, annual subscriptions may appeal to customers who seek cost savings and don't want to go through the procurement process frequently.

Annual subscriptions require subscribers to pay once a year for the products and services they use. They are usually more affordable than 12 months' worth of individual monthly payments combined. In most cases, both monthly and annual subscription payments renew automatically after every payment period.

While annual subscriptions offer cost savings and less administrative hassle, monthly subscriptions provide flexibility and lower upfront costs. Your choice might hinge on your cash flow, budgeting preferences, and the level of commitment you're willing to make to a particular service.

While monthly billing plans are common among B2C recurring-revenue businesses, annual billing plans offer tremendous benefits for both your company and your subscribers, and may be the better choice for B2Bs. In today's blog you'll learn how annual billing: Increases cash flow.

Monthly billing helps customers establish a payment rhythm. Customers can estimate their monthly payment and build that amount into their budget versus having a larger expense come up a few times throughout the year.

This means you can see the benefits of saving sooner rather than waiting for an annual interest payment. The difference between monthly and annual interest is that annual interest is paid after a year, whereas monthly interest is paid monthly, making it a good option if you want a regular income stream.

There's a discounting bonanza for annual plans due to customer reluctance to commit to a year over a month. It's common to offer savings of 10 to 25% percent for subscribing annually instead of paying monthly.

According to a 2018 survey by WMG, 84% of Americans grossly underestimate what they spend on subscription-based services. The study found that, on average, people assume they pay around $79.74 a month on recurring monthly expenses.

Insurers often provide discounts for annual payments, reducing the overall expense. Additionally, annual payments eliminate the risk of missing monthly or quarterly payments, ensuring continuous coverage. It simplifies financial planning, as policyholders only need to address the premium once a year.

Fixed expenses – insurance, council rates, vehicle registrations, land tax etc – generally attract interest and/or administration fees if paid monthly or via instalments so you'll save money if you can pay them annually.

Is it better to pay premium monthly or yearly? ›

Paying your insurance premiums annually is almost always the least expensive option. Many companies give you a discount for paying in full because it costs more for the insurance company if a policyholder pays their premiums monthly since that requires manual processing each month to keep the policy active.

In general, businesses with more customer-focused, flexible, or regularly updated services prefer monthly billing. Businesses that provide more comprehensive, high-value, or B2B services—and therefore have customers who are willing to commit long term for higher perceived value—opt for annual billing.

We recommend using Bill for items such as your phone bill, utility bills, mortgage or rent payment, etc.; whereas Subscription is a great option for items that don't incur a late fee if not paid on time, such as streaming services, Amazon Prime, magazine or audiobook subscriptions, memberships, etc.

Better Planning

You'll be able to plan better by looking at your budget monthly. Looking at your budget monthly will also allow you to plan accordingly and adjust your plans as necessary.

What is an annual subscription? In an annual subscription, a customer enters into an agreement with a business where they pay an annual recurring fee in exchange for products or services.

In simple terms, rather than being paid out monthly, annual interest can accumulate over the year, potentially leading to higher returns on the sum you've invested.

Do you love using apps to listen to music or books? Subscriptions like these often come with a reoccurring monthly fee, and while expenses can quickly add up, making regular, on-time payments for these services can actually help to lift your credit score.