If you've ever searched for a subscription tracker, you've probably noticed something concerning: most of them want access to your bank account. They promise to automatically find your subscriptions by scanning your transactions, but is that really necessary?
We don't think so. And we built SubSorted to prove it.
The problem with bank-connected subscription trackers
Open banking has made it easier than ever for apps to access your financial data. While this can be convenient, it comes with significant trade-offs that many people don't fully consider:
- You're sharing your complete transaction history — not just subscriptions, but every purchase, transfer, and payment you make.
- Data breaches happen — even well-intentioned companies can be targets. The more places your financial data lives, the higher your risk.
- You lose control — once you've granted access, you're trusting another party to handle your data responsibly, forever.
- It's often overkill — you probably already know most of your subscriptions. You just need help remembering when they renew.
A simpler approach: manual tracking that actually works
Here's a radical idea: what if you just... added your subscriptions yourself? It sounds old-fashioned, but modern tools make this surprisingly quick and effective.
With SubSorted, you can add a subscription in under 30 seconds. Type it manually, scan a receipt, record a voice note, or share a confirmation email directly from your mail app. The app extracts the details — you review and confirm. Done.
Your subscription data stays on your phone. It's never sent to our servers. We don't know what you're subscribed to, how much you pay, or when things renew. That's the way it should be.
What you gain by staying private
When your subscription data lives locally on your device, you get several benefits that bank-connected apps can't offer:
Complete data ownership
Your data isn't stored on someone else's server. If SubSorted disappeared tomorrow, your data would still be on your phone, exactly where you put it.
Works offline
No internet connection required to see your subscriptions or check when something renews. Everything works locally.
No account required
You don't need to create an account or verify your email. Download the app, add your subscriptions, set reminders. That's it.
Peace of mind
You never have to wonder whether your financial data is being used appropriately, sold to third parties, or sitting in a database waiting to be breached.
But won't I miss subscriptions?
This is the main argument for bank-connected trackers: they can find subscriptions you've forgotten about. But let's be realistic about how useful this actually is.
Most people have a pretty good idea of their regular subscriptions. The problem isn't discovery — it's remembering when they renew and whether you still want them. That's exactly what SubSorted focuses on: clear renewal dates and timely reminders.
If you genuinely don't know what you're paying for, a quick review of your bank statement or credit card transactions will reveal everything. You don't need an always-connected third party for that.
How to get started
Ready to track your subscriptions without giving away your bank details? Here's what to do:
- Download SubSorted — it's free and available on iOS and Android.
- Add your known subscriptions — streaming services, gym memberships, software subscriptions. Takes about 5 minutes.
- Check your bank statement — look for any recurring payments you might have forgotten. Add those too.
- Set up reminders — choose when you want to be notified before each renewal.
- Relax — you'll get a reminder before anything renews. No surprises, no surveillance.
That's it. No bank login required. No account creation. No data leaving your device. Just simple, private subscription tracking.