There are hundreds of app subscriptions out there, and it's tough to decipher which ones are actually worth paying for and which are total scams designed to drain your wallet. Turns out, I'm not the only one investing in premium subscriptions.
WhistleOut surveyed 1,000 cell phone users and found that the average person has 9 different monthly app subscriptions and spends about $127 on apps each year—and honestly, I can't blame them.
Whether you're looking for the best paid Android apps, premium iPhone apps, or just apps worth paying for in 2026, these are my tried-and-true app subscriptions that I happily pay for every month. That includes the apps I use constantly and the apps that genuinely make my life better.
When it comes to the best app subscriptions and apps that cost money, these are the only ones that have consistently proven their value.
My monthly subscription breakdown
| App | Monthly cost | What I use it for |
|---|---|---|
| LookAway | $6.99 | Eye health and posture reminders for Mac |
| AllTrails Plus | $2.99 | Offline trail maps for hiking and mountain biking |
| Todoist Pro | $5.00 | Task management and project organization |
| YNAB (You Need A Budget) | $14.99 | Personal finance and budgeting |
| YouTube Premium | $13.99 | Ad-free videos and YouTube Music |
| Spotify Premium | $12.99 | Music streaming and podcast features |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20.00 | AI assistance for writing, research, and problem-solving |
| Total | $76.94/month |
LookAway
"LookAway literally freezes my computer and forces me to take care of my eyes and back—it's the only thing that actually makes me take breaks."
- Free trial available for macOS.
- Premium subscription costs $6.99/month.
I spend hours every day working on my MacBook, and honestly, I'm terrible about taking breaks. I have sensitive eyes, I wear glasses, and I was genuinely worried about my vision getting worse from staring at a screen all day.
LookAway forces you to take breaks without interrupting your workplace productivity. You predetermine how frequently you’d like a reminder to stretch, blink, drink water, or readjust your posture. It then blurs your screen and blocks all activity when it’s time for your break.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
At first, I thought it would be annoying. But it's been a game-changer for my eye health and back pain. I've noticed less eye strain at the end of the day, and those forced posture checks have helped me become more aware of how I'm sitting. For anyone who works on a computer all day, especially if you have sensitive eyes or already wear glasses, LookAway is worth every penny.
At $6.99/month, it may seem pricey for something so simple, but it’s easily one of the most impactful for my physical health. If you're searching for cool paid apps for iPhone (or in this case, Mac), this is one of the best apps to buy for your health.
AllTrails Plus
"AllTrails is an absolute must for me—I love hiking and mountain biking, and I don't always study the map before I set out."
I love hiking and mountain biking, but I'll admit something: I don't always study the map before I head out. For me, AllTrails Plus is absolutely an essential and must-have for anyone who spends time outdoors.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
The Plus subscription (which is the mid-tier option) gives me access to offline maps, which is probably the most important feature this app offers. That way, when I'm deep in the wilderness without cell service, I can still follow downloaded trail maps directly on my phone. AllTrails has so many hiking and mountain biking routes that I never run out of options. Plus, the detailed trail information comes in handy with elevation profiles, user reviews, and photos so I know what to expect before I commit to a route.
At $2.99 a month (or $35.99/year), AllTrails Plus gives me peace of mind every time I hit the trails. Whether I'm exploring a new area or revisiting a favorite spot, having reliable navigation when I'm out and about is worth every penny. It's undoubtedly one of the best premium Android apps and top-rated paid apps for outdoor enthusiasts.
Stay connected anywhere with T-Mobile
T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan now includes T-Satellite coverage with data access to partnered apps, including AllTrails. That means you can follow your route anywhere under the sun—literally.
|
T-Mobile
Experience Beyond
$100.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
|
Todoist Pro
"Todoist keeps me organized across every area of my life—I can sync tasks across all my devices so I never forget anything anymore."
Between work deadlines, personal projects, and just keeping up with life, managing everything without a task management app is a challenge. I've tried several options over the years (including Reminders and Ticktick), but Todoist keeps me on top of everything.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
What makes Todoist different is how seamlessly it integrates into my workflow. I can dictate tasks with natural language like "Call the dentist tomorrow at 2:00 p.m." and Todoist automatically schedules it. I can organize projects with sections and sub-tasks, set recurring reminders for weekly habits, and assign priority levels, so I know what needs my attention first.
Better yet, I can sync it across all my devices—phone, tablet, computer—so my tasks are always accessible no matter where I am. Todoist Pro costs $5/month, and it includes features like labels, filters, reminders, and file uploads that make organizing complex projects actually manageable. When an app saves you time and frustration daily, paying for it makes complete sense.
YNAB (You Need A Budget)
"YNAB has saved me $250 a month—that's $3,000 over the past year—because it actively shows me where my spending is going."
I've always tried to keep a close eye on my personal finances but never found the best system. Excel and Sheets just weren’t enough, especially when I started investing my money. But YNAB can handle it all. You can keep track of all of your accounts in one place.
By analyzing your spending patterns, it can predict how you can save with realistic solutions. Plus, it nudges you to prepare for bigger annual expenses (like vacations or car insurance) so you're not living paycheck to paycheck.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
YNAB isn't about being frugal, it's about being financially literate and aware. Since I started using it, I've saved $250 a month (that's $3,000 over the past year) simply because the app actively shows me where my spending is going. I can see patterns, adjust habits, and make informed decisions instead of wondering where all my money went at the end of the month.
I'll be honest, YNAB isn't for everyone. The learning curve is steep, and at $14.99/month, it's far from cheap for a budgeting app. But it has eliminated most of my financial stress and helped me save substantially more than it costs. It practically pays for itself.
Money-saving tip: Cut your phone bill by half
One area where YNAB helped me cut costs significantly was my phone bill. I realized I was paying for unlimited data I rarely used.
Switching to a more affordable plan through carriers like Mint Mobile or Visible saved me an extra $40 per month—money I could redirect toward things I actually value.
Check out Mint and Visible’s most popular plans:
|
#1
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#2
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
#3
|
Visible
$35 Visible+ Plan
$35.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
YouTube Premium
"I've had YouTube Premium since it was released, and honestly, it's been the best decision I've made in years."
I consume a lot of media (probably more than I should admit) and a good amount is on YouTube. I've had YouTube Premium since it launched, and I genuinely mean it when I say it's been one of the best decisions I've made in years. No ads before videos, not during videos, not interrupting my flow when I'm trying to learn something or just unwind.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
I spend hours watching vlogs and self-help tutorials on YouTube—it’s really the only video streaming subscription I have. Whether I'm looking for productivity tips, learning a new skill, or just following creators I love, I use YouTube for both entertainment and education.
Plus, a YouTube Premium subscription includes YouTube Music, so I'm getting music streaming alongside ad-free videos in a single package. Once you've lived without ads interrupting your content every few minutes, it's nearly impossible to go back. Priced at $13.99/month, I get uninterrupted entertainment, anytime, anywhere.
Data-saving tip: If you're streaming YouTube videos and music constantly like I am, you'll want a substantial or unlimited data plan or a solid home internet connection.
Check out affordable unlimited data plans that won't slow you down or charge overage fees.
Here are the lowest price unlimited plans currently on the market:
|
#1
|
XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
|
|
#2
|
Astound Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$0.00/mo
+ $14.99 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
Boost Mobile
Unlimited Plan
$10.00/mo
with AutoPay
|
Spotify Premium
"I can't stand ads, and Spotify Premium ensures my music experience stays uninterrupted."
While YouTube Premium covers music streaming, I still find myself gravitating back to Spotify for my daily listening. Music brings genuine joy to my life and gives me energy to power through the day. What makes Spotify stand out is its podcast feature, which blows competitors like YouTube Music and Deezer out of the water.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
The free version of Spotify is absolutely unusable for me. You can only skip six songs per hour, which feels absurd when you're trying to find the right vibe for your mood. I can't stand ads interrupting my playlists, and Spotify Premium eliminates all of that for $12.99/month.
Considering it's hard to imagine a single week without the soundtrack of my life, this subscription is money well spent.
The free app I use more than Spotify: Libby
If you're not using Libby yet, download it right now.
While Spotify gets my money, Libby gets most of my time. I spend about 10 hours/week on this app, especially during long-distance runs when I need a good audiobook to get me through the miles.
Libby connects directly to your local library and gives you free access to thousands of audiobooks and ebooks. Completely free. No subscription, no ads, just books. The selection is massive, the app interface is clean and intuitive, and you can download titles for offline listening.
If you're not already using Libby, seriously—stop what you're doing and download it now. It's transformed my running routine and saved me hundreds of dollars I would've spent on Audible or other audiobook services.
ChatGPT Plus
"ChatGPT Plus is one of those tools where, once you start using it, you can't imagine life without it."
Artificial intelligence has become a staple in my day-to-day life. While there are plenty of AI tools out there (like Google's Gemini), ChatGPT consistently delivers the best results for my needs.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
I mainly use ChatGPT Plus for writing assistance, brainstorming ideas, research, and even asking random questions. The free version is good enough for casual users, but the Plus plan gives you access to better AI models for faster response times and priority access during peak hours (who knew!).
At $20/month, it's the most expensive subscription among my monthly budget, but it's one of those tools I can’t imagine living without. Plus, I don’t have to worry about sponsored results on Google taking up the whole page.
The AI app I'd choose if I wasn't already committed: Perplexity Pro
If I didn't already have ChatGPT, I'd be paying for Perplexity instead.
I discovered Perplexity while testing the best AI apps, and I was absolutely impressed. Perplexity is built specifically for research. It provides citations for everything, searches the web in real-time, and presents information in a cleaner, more organized format.
That said, I've had ChatGPT for so long that I just can't break up with it. I'm too invested in my workflow, my saved conversations, and the familiarity of how it works. But if you're just getting into AI subscriptions and trying to decide which one to pay for, Perplexity is absolutely worth considering.
The best premium subscriptions: FAQs
Is Netflix worth paying for anymore?
Netflix isn't worth paying separately anymore because it's expensive and you still have to put up with the ads on the basic subscription. However, T-Mobile includes a free Netflix subscription with its Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. It's free, so why not?
What's the best music streaming app?
For me, Spotify Premium is the best music streaming app hands down. The music library is massive, the podcast integration is unmatched, and the algorithm actually learns what I like.
Which AI app is the best: ChatGPT or Perplexity?
ChatGPT is best for creative work, writing, and general problem-solving. Perplexity is better for research since it provides real-time web search with citations.
What are the best iPhone apps worth paying for?
From my list, AllTrails Plus, Todoist Premium, Spotify Premium, YouTube Premium, and ChatGPT Plus are all worth paying for on iPhone. Look Away is Mac-only, but if you use a MacBook alongside your iPhone, it's a must-have for eye health.
How can I get YouTube Premium for free?
You get 6 months of YouTube Premium for free with GoogleFi's Unlimited Premium phone plan.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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