What it does
Orbit is a mobile app designed to help users track and manage their recurring subscriptions. It provides a central place to see all ongoing payments, calculates total monthly and yearly spending, and sends reminders before renewals. The app also includes features for organizing subscriptions into lists and finding forgotten payments by importing data from various sources.
Where it shines
Orbit shines brightest in its onboarding and main dashboard design. The onboarding (00:14) is not a passive tutorial but an interactive calculator. It asks users to select their current subscriptions and immediately shows their total annual cost (00:26), making the app's value clear and personal. The main dashboard (01:28) uses a playful 'orbital' metaphor, with subscription icons circling a central planet. This turns the mundane task of reviewing finances into a more engaging and visually appealing experience.
UX highlights
- Tangible Value Prop: The onboarding calculator at 00:14 makes the user's financial 'problem' concrete before offering the solution.
- Playful Data Visualization: The orbital dashboard at 01:28 is a unique and memorable way to display subscription data, far more engaging than a simple list.
- Comprehensive Editing: The subscription detail screen (01:34) offers granular control, allowing users to edit payment dates, set free trial reminders, and assign categories.
- Layered Onboarding: A 'Get Started' guide (03:40) provides secondary onboarding for advanced features, reducing initial complexity for new users.
- Powerful Filtering: The app allows for deep filtering of subscriptions by list, category, billing cycle, and payment method (03:17), which is great for power users.
- Calendar View: A dedicated calendar view at 04:54 gives users a clear visual forecast of upcoming payments.
Monetization & growth
Monetization is introduced early through a soft paywall at the end of the onboarding flow (00:30). The app presents a single 'Lifetime' plan with an 'Early bird' discount. This paywall is strengthened by significant social proof, including a 4.8-star rating and a scrolling carousel of user testimonials. It also includes a clear feature comparison table showing the benefits of the paid plan versus the free one (01:16). There is no free trial offered, pushing users towards a direct one-time purchase.
Who it’s for
Orbit is for anyone who has multiple digital subscriptions and struggles to keep track of them. This includes young professionals, families sharing services, and anyone looking to gain better control over their recurring expenses. The user-friendly interface makes it accessible for casual budgeters, while the advanced import and filtering features cater to meticulous financial planners.
Notes & opportunities
While the app is well-polished, the immediate system notification prompt at 01:21 without a warm-up screen could feel abrupt to some users. Adding a simple screen explaining why notifications are useful (e.g., 'Never miss a renewal date!') could improve opt-in rates. Additionally, the process of importing from a bank statement (03:42) relies on the user to perform several steps outside the app. While clear instructions are given, this is a point of significant friction that could be streamlined in the future if platform APIs allow.