A study reveals how much time (and money) we invest in various subscription-based services. It is not surprising that video streaming leads in terms of leisure time spent, followed by music and gaming. Today, there is a digital subscription available for nearly everything: to watch movies and series, listen to music without restrictions, order meals, and even play recent video games without having to pay full price. However, which are the most widely used paid services?
Netflix and Co in the lead, gaming in the top three
A study conducted by ExpressVPN, a VPN provider, among 4,000 people in Europe and the United States offers insights. Notably, video content streaming platforms lead in occupying free time. Seventy-five percent of respondents reported regularly using services such as Netflix and Disney+. These contents are consumed on television for 70% of viewing sessions and on smartphones for 55%, especially during public transport commutes.
In second place is music, with 51% of respondents stating they are subscribers to a musical streaming platform such as Spotify or Apple Music.
Regarding video games, with the increase in gaming subscriptions such as PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, or GeForce Now, they have become a significant part of the market. According to the data, 24% of respondents opt for these subscriptions, paying a few euros for unlimited access to extensive game libraries. These subscribers predominantly play on home consoles (51%) but also utilize smartphones (45%), indicating that gaming is increasingly becoming a mobile experience.
Next come the food delivery apps (16%), which are designed to improve our dining experience; work productivity tools (10%), aimed at enhancing efficiency in professional settings; subscriptions for managing connected devices (10%), providing convenience and control over smart home systems; and finally, fitness apps (8%), offering support for maintaining physical health when self-discipline is insufficient.
A growing number of subscriptions and expenses
The study also highlights our increasing reliance on paid subscriptions. According to the research, 44% of those surveyed manage at least three subscriptions. As a result, French internet users spend an average of €38.90 per month on their digital subscriptions, compared to $49.11 in the United States. Are these subscriptions truly worthwhile? Not always. Thirty-five percent of respondents admit they lack time to fully enjoy their paid services.
Forty percent of participants also acknowledge feeling overwhelmed by managing their digital subscriptions. Challenges such as handling multiple accounts and passwords, a lack of time, prohibitive prices, or excessive notifications and commercial emails contribute to what is referred to as “subscription fatigue,” which 38% of respondents experience occasionally or constantly.
According to an ExpressVPN study involving 4,000 Europeans and Americans, the most prevalent paid digital subscriptions include video streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, which are used by 75% for TV viewing and 70% on smartphones. Music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music follow with a usage rate of 51%. Gaming subscriptions (PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass) are utilized by 24%, primarily on home consoles and smartphones. Other significant subscription services include food delivery apps at 16%, productivity tools at 10%, connected device management at 10%, and fitness applications at 8%. The average monthly expenditure for digital subscriptions in France is €38.90, while Americans spend $49.11. Notably, 35% of respondents feel they do not have enough time to fully enjoy their services, and 40% report experiencing subscription fatigue due to management difficulties, pricing concerns, or excessive notifications.ExpressVPN also provides tips on its blog to help manage subscriptions effectively and avoid exhaustion from the task.
