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How to Track Your Subscriptions in Notion (2026 Guide)

November 11, 2026

The fastest way to track subscriptions in Notion is to build a simple database with columns for cost, billing cycle, and renewal date, then sort it by "next renewal" so upcoming charges always float to the top. For a visual reminder, embed a live countdown widget like Blocs next to the table so you see exactly how many days are left before you're charged. This works for freelancers juggling 5-10 SaaS tools, families managing streaming services, or anyone trying to cut recurring costs.

• A Notion database takes about 10 minutes to set up and costs nothing on the free plan.
• Adding a formula field can auto-flag subscriptions renewing within 7 days.
• Pairing the database with an embedded countdown widget removes the need to open a separate renewal date or calendar app.

Key Takeaways

• Build a Notion database with properties for Name, Cost, Billing Cycle, Category, and Next Renewal Date.
• Use a formula property to calculate days remaining and flag anything renewing soon.
• Group or filter by billing cycle (monthly vs. yearly) to see your real recurring spend at a glance.
• Embed a countdown widget for a visual, at-a-glance reminder instead of relying on Notion's text-only date fields.
• Free Notion plans handle this setup fine; you don't need a paid Notion workspace for subscription tracking.

What's the best way to track subscriptions in Notion?

The best way is a single database (table view) with one row per subscription, tracking name, monthly or annual cost, billing date, and category. Add a formula property that calculates days until renewal so you can sort or filter for anything due soon, turning a static list into an active budgeting tool.

How do I build a subscription tracker database in Notion?

Create a new database and add these properties, then populate one row per service you pay for:

1. Set up the core properties

• Name (Title) - e.g., Netflix, Spotify, Adobe Creative Cloud
• Cost (Number, formatted as currency)
• Billing Cycle (Select: Monthly, Yearly, Weekly)
• Next Renewal (Date)
• Category (Select: Streaming, Software, Fitness, etc.)
• Status (Select: Active, Cancelled, Trial)

2. Add a "days left" formula

Use a Formula property like dateBetween(prop("Next Renewal"), now(), "days") to show how many days remain. Sort the table by this column ascending so the most urgent renewals sit at the top.

3. Create views for spending insight

Add a Board view grouped by Category to see where money goes, and a filtered view that only shows subscriptions renewing in the next 7 days, useful for catching anything you meant to cancel.

Can I get a visual reminder before a subscription renews?

Yes. Notion's own date fields are text-only, so many people embed a countdown widget next to their subscription table for a glanceable visual cue. Set the target date to match your subscription's next billing date, and the widget counts down automatically every time you open the page.

This is where a tool like Blocs' Countdown Timer is useful, you paste the embed link into your subscriptions page and it displays live days/hours/minutes until the charge hits, no database formula required for the visual part:

You can set up one countdown per high-priority subscription (like an annual plan you might forget about) alongside your full database for everything else.

Free vs. Pro: what's included for subscription tracking?

Building the subscription database itself is entirely free in Notion. Blocs' Countdown Timer is a Pro-only widget, available for a one-time $17 payment (not a subscription) rather than another recurring charge on top of the services you're trying to track.

Feature	Free	Pro ($17 one-time)
Notion database with formulas/views	Yes	Yes
Countdown Timer widget embed	No	Yes
Custom target dates per widget	—	Yes
Theme customization to match your Notion page	—	Yes
No Blocs branding on widgets	—	Yes

See the full breakdown on the pricing page.

Other Notion widgets worth pairing with a subscription tracker

A subscription tracker often sits on a finance or "life admin" dashboard page alongside other recurring routines. If you're already building that page, a few related setups are worth checking:

• How to add a countdown timer to Notion walks through the embed step in more detail.
• How to add a habit tracker to Notion is useful if you want a monthly "review subscriptions" habit alongside your tracker.
• Best goal-tracking Notion widgets covers options if your subscription review ties into a bigger savings goal.
• Best time-tracking Notion widgets is handy if you're also auditing how much time (not just money) different subscriptions cost you.

FAQs

Do I need a Notion template to track subscriptions?

No. A basic database with Name, Cost, Billing Cycle, and Next Renewal properties covers most people's needs and takes a few minutes to set up from scratch, no template download required.

Can Notion automatically remind me before a subscription renews?

Notion doesn't send push notifications for date properties by default, though you can use Notion's built-in reminders on a date field to get an in-app or email alert a day before renewal.

Is tracking subscriptions in Notion free?

Yes, building the database itself is free on any Notion plan. Only optional visual add-ons, like Blocs' Countdown Timer widget, require a separate one-time payment.

How do I see my total monthly subscription cost?

Add a formula or use the "Sum" calculation at the bottom of your Cost column, filtered to Monthly billing cycle, to get a running total of what you pay each month.

Can I track both monthly and annual subscriptions in one table?

Yes. Use the Billing Cycle select property to separate them, then create a formula that normalizes annual costs to a monthly equivalent (annual cost divided by 12) for accurate side-by-side comparison.

Try it in your own workspace

Set up your subscription database first, then add a free countdown reminder for the one subscription you're most likely to forget. Explore the Countdown Timer widget or check pricing for full Pro access.