Subscription news
What’s changing across the trials we track
Prices move, offers change, settlements open claim windows, and now and then a service shuts down. We watch the free-trial and subscription beat so you don’t have to, and write each item in plain language with the source linked.
July 2026
ChatGPT Plus subscribers got access to the new GPT-5.6 model
OpenAI's GPT-5.6 model family launched July 9, 2026, and Plus subscribers now get GPT-5.6 in standard chat, with no change to the $20 a month Plus price.
via OpenAI
May 2026
The standalone Hulu app is being folded into Disney+ during 2026
Disney confirmed it is merging Hulu into a single Disney+ app. Hulu's full content library has been available on Disney+ since October 2025, and the separate Hulu app is being phased out device by device during 2026. Existing subscriptions continue inside Disney+.
via TV Insider
Planet Fitness paused its planned Black Card price hike, holding at $24.99 a month
Planet Fitness had planned to raise its Black Card membership from $24.99 to $29.99 a month after the 2026 peak join season, but paused the national rollout on its May 7, 2026 earnings call and is only testing the higher price in select markets for now.
via Seeking Alpha
April 2026
Duolingo opened advanced-level lessons to free users
Duolingo now offers B2-level advanced content, including a new Advanced Stories feature and the DuoRadio audio series, for free across nine languages. Free courses previously topped out around A2-B1 level.
via TechCrunch
March 2026
Netflix raised US prices across all plans in March 2026
Effective March 26, 2026, Netflix raised its Standard plan from $17.99 to $19.99 a month and Premium from $24.99 to $26.99, with Standard with Ads rising from $7.99 to $8.99. It was Netflix's second US price increase in under two years.
via CNBC
Adobe settled with the DOJ and FTC over subscription cancellation practices
A federal judge approved Adobe's $150 million settlement with the Department of Justice and FTC on April 10, 2026, resolving claims that early termination fees were hard to find. Adobe must now clearly disclose cancellation fees upfront and provide a simple way to cancel.
Audible added a lower-cost Standard plan alongside Premium Plus
Audible introduced a new Standard membership priced around $8.99 a month, positioned below its Premium Plus plans as a cheaper entry point into audiobook access. It began rolling out in the US and several other countries in March 2026.
via TechCrunch
January 2026
The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle price rose for new subscribers in January 2026
Starting January 6, 2026, new subscribers to the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle pay $35.99 a month with ads (or $44.99 ad-free) after an introductory year at $29.99. Subscribers already on the intro rate keep their current price.
October 2025
BetterHelp now accepts insurance in a growing number of states
Parent company Teladoc has begun billing insurance for BetterHelp sessions instead of cash-pay only, covering plans like Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Optum in about a dozen states as of late 2025, with a broader national rollout targeted for end of 2026.
via Healthcare Dive
Grammarly's parent company rebranded to Superhuman and added a business tier
Grammarly's parent company renamed itself Superhuman in October 2025 and introduced a Superhuman Business plan that bundles the Grammarly writing tools with Superhuman Mail. The consumer Grammarly Pro plan stayed at $12 a month with no change.
via TechCrunch
Disney+ standalone plans went up in October 2025
Disney+ with ads rose from $9.99 to $11.99 a month and the ad-free plan rose from $15.99 to $18.99, effective October 21, 2025. The Disney+/Hulu ad-supported bundle also rose, from $10.99 to $12.99 a month.
via TechCrunch
HBO Max raised prices across all plans in October 2025
Effective October 21, 2025, HBO Max's Basic with Ads rose from $9.99 to $10.99 a month, Standard from $16.99 to $18.49, and Premium from $20.99 to $22.99, with matching increases on annual plans.
via The Hill
Hulu's ad-supported plan rose to $11.99 a month in October 2025
Hulu (With Ads) increased from $9.99 to $11.99 a month effective October 21, 2025, while Hulu (No Ads) held steady at $18.99. The Disney+/Hulu ad-supported bundle rose from $10.99 to $12.99 the same day.
via Variety
September 2025
Amazon Prime settlement refund claims are open through July 27, 2026
Amazon reached a settlement with the FTC over Prime enrollment and cancellation practices. Eligible members who did not already receive an automatic payment can file a claim for up to $51 through July 27, 2026.
Amazon must offer easier Prime cancellation under its FTC settlement
As part of its FTC settlement, Amazon is required to add a clear option to decline Prime at signup, disclose pricing and renewal terms upfront, and let members cancel using the same method they used to enroll.
July 2025
Peacock added a lower-cost Select tier
Peacock introduced a Select plan at $7.99 a month in 2025, a cheaper option that leaves out the movie and original-series library along with live sports coverage.
via TechRadar
Peacock raised Premium and Premium Plus prices in 2025
Peacock's ad-supported Premium tier moved to $10.99 a month and Premium Plus to $16.99 a month starting in July 2025, a $3 increase on both plans that remains in effect.
via Variety
June 2025
Costco Executive members get a $10 monthly credit for same-day delivery
Since June 30, 2025, Costco Executive members automatically receive a $10 credit each month toward qualifying $150-plus orders on Costco same-day delivery or Instacart, applied once a membership number is linked, with no separate enrollment needed.
via PR Newswire
May 2025
Adobe renamed its All Apps plan Creative Cloud Pro and raised the price to $69.99 a month
Adobe renamed the Creative Cloud All Apps individual plan to Creative Cloud Pro and raised its price from $59.99 to $69.99 a month, taking effect on renewal dates from June 17, 2025 onward, while adding a new lower-cost Creative Cloud Standard plan with limited generative AI credits.
via AppleInsider
Reading about a change is one thing. Remembering it is another.
Track a trial or subscription here and a reminder arrives before each renewal, so a price change never turns into a surprise charge.
Track a subscription