Time you will use
Count months you reasonably expect to need the service. A six-month project and a year-round habit are different commitments.
A cheaper year.
An expensive six months?
An annual discount only tells half the story. Compare the annual price with the number of months you actually expect to pay for.
Enter two prices. Move the months slider. See where the decision changes.
YOUR TWO OPTIONS
Same service.
Different commitment.
Assumes monthly payments stop after your chosen number of months, and the annual price is nonrefundable and paid upfront. Same plan features; no taxes, fees, promotions or price changes. Use one currency. No exchange conversion.
Pay monthly
Pay annually
CUMULATIVE COST / MONTHS 1–12
Monthly planAnnual upfront
Each row: month, bars, monthly total / annual total.
The discount isn't the whole decision.
Money paid upfront
The annual price stays on the chart even when you stop using the service. Unused months do not automatically create a refund.
What the terms allow
Check cancellation timing, refunds and feature differences with the provider. The calculator assumes comparable plans and simple billing.
Why the default example matters
At 12 per month or 96 per year, the plans cost the same after eight monthly payments. Annual is strictly cheaper from month nine. If you only pay for six months, monthly costs 72: 24 less than the annual commitment.
AFTER YOU CHOOSE A PLAN
Keep the renewal
on your radar.
MoneyShield helps organize subscriptions and renewal reminders. Use this calculator for the price comparison, then keep track of the commitment you choose.
View MoneyShield on the App Store ↗Free download with in-app purchases. Check the current listing for available features and plan limits. MoneyShield does not cancel services or guarantee refunds.
Before choosing annual
- Confirm that both plans include what you need.
- Read the refund and renewal terms.
- Record the full upfront price.
- Choose when you will review the renewal.
Before you compare
Why does annual cost stay flat?
This model treats the annual price as a single nonrefundable upfront payment. Stopping use after a few months does not change that payment. If your provider offers prorated refunds, this model does not include them.
Is the break-even month a recommendation?
No. It is a price comparison using your inputs. It does not measure usefulness, affordability, cancellation terms, or whether you will still want the service.
Does this save my prices?
No. Values stay in page memory and reset on refresh. This page has no tracking scripts or account requirement. Standard hosting request logs may still apply.
Comparing a weekly or four-weekly price?
First put each price on the same time scale. The subscription billing-frequency calculator shows annualized and monthly-equivalent costs, including the difference between every four weeks and every calendar month.