Helping Users Manage and Track Subscriptions on Mobile
Designing a mobile app to keep track of subscriptions and reduce unnecessary spending.
This project is a concept to help subscribers keep track of their subscriptions.
What I did:
- Created detailed wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes
- Conducted user research with 40 people
- Created a design system
UX Designer
Solo Designer
Visual Design
Interaction Design
Prototyping
2 weeks
Problem
Every time we subscribe to a new service or sign up for a free trial, we rely on a personal tracker, or our oh-so-forgetful memory to keep track of them. People use many subscription services and often use free trials, which can be tricky to remember to unsubscribe to them, or even remember to use a particular service.
How might we create a system in which we can better manage all our subscriptions, without missing a single renewal date?
Context
It's becoming difficult to keep track of all of every subscription service out there!
During a conversation with a friend, I realized how easy it was to get charged for a service without even knowing. It can be difficult to know the exact date of renewals or even unsubscribe from them. As a result, I wanted to see if a lot of other people had experienced these struggles and how they managed them.
Taken from a random survey sample of 40 people aged 18-34.
Primary Research
Many subscribers often face issues with an overextension of their subscriptions and don’t have a method in place to solve them.
I conducted a survey on 40 different people (most in the 18-34 age range) to understand the types of issues that people faced when managing their subscriptions.
Nearly 75% have been charged unwillingly for a subscription service and 80% do not keep track of their current subscriptions.
Something interesting I found while reviewing the responses were the number of people who commented on the difficulty of unsubscribing from a service.
- “Really shady emails that resubscribe you to the service if you click on a button in the email.”
- “Some subscriptions are more difficult to cancel (one simple click online vs having to call a hotline and request the subscription be canceled).”
- “Cancelling can be a hassle and difficult to find.“
These examples highlight dark UI patterns that create friction in the cancellation process. My solution prioritizes transparency and more user control to resolve this issue.
- “Forgetting to cancel a free trial is the biggest problem I have.”
- “I forget to use them!“
Struggling to recall all active subscriptions was another pain point that users faced, leading to overlooked charges. Preventing wrong charges before they happen was a central idea in my solution.
Meet Stacey and Ben
Stacy and Ben showcase a summary of my primary research, condensed into two personas. Solution
Subskeep Mobile Application
To help users gain full control over their subscriptions and reduce unexpected charges, Subskeep offers a set of thoughtfully designed features.
How is Subskeep unique? It...
How is Subskeep unique? It...
- goes beyond passive tracking
- guides users to understand their spending
- helps users reflect on subscription usage and take action when needed.
Each feature is designed to simplify subscription management and give users confidence in their financial decisions.
Secure bank connection
Users have the option to link their bank account and extract any existing subscriptions into the Subskeep app.
Dashboard
An all-in-one space to track upcoming subscription renewal dates.
Billing Cycle Progress Tracker
To see how far along the user is in this payment cycle.
Usage Reflection
"How often do I use this service?" This helps the user evaluate continuing the subscription.
Smart Alerts
The user can opt in to in-app reminders or create an event to put into their calendar, as an extra measure of precaution.
Manual Add
Finds subscriptions not found in bank statements by enabling manual entry.
Design System
Subskeep Design System
Assets used to maintain consistency throughout my designs
Post Project Reflections
This project strengthened my design thinking process and research methodology.
While gathering survey responses, I sought feedback on my methodology and learned the importance of writing neutral, unbiased questions. Small adjustments improved the quality of insights.
I honed my ability to translate static concepts into functional user flows.
Through iterative experimentation on Figma, seeing the prototype come to life reinforced the power of prototyping as a tool for communicating design.
*Note: This concept was developed prior to Truebill’s (now called Rocket Money) rollout of similar subscription features. The overlap validates the underlying problem space: a growing subscription fatigue and financial invisibility — and reinforces the market demand for a solution that helps users manage recurring expenses.*