Free trials without the surprise charge

A free trial usually asks for a payment method up front and starts charging the day it ends — whether or not you're still using it. A few small habits make trials work for you instead.

1. 1

   Note the end date the moment you sign up

   Put a reminder in your calendar a day or two before the trial ends, with the price you'll be charged.

2. 2

   Read what happens after the trial

   Check the price, how often it renews, and whether it renews monthly or yearly. A yearly renewal is a much bigger surprise.

3. 3

   Cancel early if the service allows it

   Many subscriptions — including those billed through the App Store — keep working until the end of the period you already have, even after you cancel. Check the service's terms first.

4. 4

   Keep one list of active trials

   A single note with the service, end date, and price stops trials from overlapping and slipping through.

5. 5

   Decide on value, not habit

   Before the trial ends, ask whether you'd sign up today at full price. If not, let it go.

With Premium, PrismWorth flags free trials it detects before they convert and warns you when a subscription quietly raises its price — including what it adds up to over a year.