Manage Roam Research

How to cancel your roam research subscription and protect your data in australia

What roam research is and why you might want to cancel

Roam Research is a cloud-based note-taking and knowledge management platform that uses bidirectional linking to help you build interconnected graphs of information. If you're a researcher, writer or knowledge worker, you may have signed up for one of its paid plans to access collaboration features, version history and cloud storage. However, if the service no longer fits your workflow, your budget has changed, or you've found an alternative tool, cancelling is straightforward once you know the right steps.

At Stopee, we help Australian consumers navigate subscription cancellations with clarity and confidence. Before you proceed, it's worth understanding Roam Research's billing cycles, refund policies and what happens to your data after you cancel.

Understanding roam research's paid plans

Roam Research does not offer a free tier; all active accounts require a paid subscription. The platform offers three main billing options, each with different renewal cycles and long-term commitments.

These prices are approximate conversions from USD (at a rate of roughly 1 USD = 1.50 AUD). Your exact charge will depend on your payment method, location and any applicable taxes. Monthly plans renew automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date. Annual plans renew at the end of the 12-month period, and the Believer plan locks you in for five years with no early exit option without contacting support.

Why australians cancel roam research

Common reasons include unexpected annual charges after a trial period ends, switching to a simpler note-taking tool, or budget constraints. Some users also report frustration with limited refund flexibility once a subscription has renewed. Understanding these pain points helps you avoid them if you choose to stay, or act quickly if you decide to leave.

Your consumer rights when cancelling in australia

Australian Consumer Law gives you important protections when cancelling digital subscriptions, and Stopee recommends knowing these rights before you contact Roam Research support.

Australian consumer law and cooling-off periods

Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), you have the right to a refund if a service does not match what was promised or if you cancel within any advertised trial period. If Roam Research offered you a trial (for example, 30 days free) and automatically charged you without clear prior consent, you may have grounds to request a refund. The key is proving the charge was not explicitly authorised by you in writing.

If you're within 14 days of your original purchase and the service was a new subscription, you may also have cancellation rights under the ACL, depending on how the purchase was framed. Keep your email receipts and billing statements as evidence.

Escalation and regulatory backing

If Roam Research refuses a refund you believe you're entitled to, you can escalate to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or your state's consumer affairs body. Stopee advises documenting every communication-screenshots, email confirmations and support tickets-so you have a clear record if you need to file a formal complaint.

How to cancel your roam research subscription

Roam Research offers two primary cancellation methods depending on how you manage your account and which plan you're on.

Method 1: cancel via roam research support email

This method works for all subscription types and is the most direct route to ensure your cancellation is processed.

1. Log into your Roam Research account at roamresearch.com.
2. Navigate to the Help section or chatbox within your account dashboard.
3. Request account termination or cancellation. If the chatbot doesn't resolve your request, note the ticket number for follow-up.
4. If support doesn't respond promptly, email support@roamresearch.com directly with the subject line: "Cancel my Roam Research subscription - [Your Email Address]".
5. In your email, include:
   • Your registered email address.
   • Your current plan (Pro monthly, Pro annual, or Believer).
   • The date you wish the cancellation to take effect.
   • A request for written confirmation once cancellation is complete.
6. Wait for a confirmation email from support. Pro tip: forward this email to yourself and save it as a separate backup-you'll need it if there are billing disputes later.

Method 2: cancel via subscription settings (if applicable)

If you're on a monthly or annual Pro plan and manage your subscription through a web portal or third-party payment platform (such as Stripe), you may be able to cancel directly in your account settings.

1. Log into your Roam Research account.
2. Go to Account Settings or Billing & Subscription (exact label depends on current interface).
3. Find the "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Plan" option.
4. Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation. The system will typically show you the cancellation date and when your access ends.
5. Warning: Cancelling via settings may not send you an automatic confirmation email. After you click confirm, take a screenshot and also email support@roamresearch.com to double-check the cancellation was registered in their system.

Cancelling the believer plan

The five-year Believer plan does not have a self-service cancellation option. You must contact support@roamresearch.com directly. Explain your situation clearly and ask whether early termination is possible. While Roam Research is unlikely to offer a refund for the full five-year commitment, persistence and reference to your consumer rights may lead to a one-time exception. Stopee recommends framing your request professionally and citing specific issues (e.g., unexpected charges, service failures) if applicable.

What happens to your data after you cancel

Understanding Roam Research's data retention policy is crucial so you don't lose important information.

Data deletion timeline

According to Roam Research's User Agreement, when you request account termination, your content is not deleted immediately. Instead, your account and all associated graphs enter a 60-day holding period. During this time, you can request a backup or re-activate your account if you change your mind.

After 60 days, Roam Research permanently deletes all your data from their servers. This is a significant detail: if you cancel and later regret it, you have two months to ask for your data back before it's gone forever.

Exporting your data before cancellation

Pro tip: Before you cancel, export your entire Roam graph as a backup. Most note-taking platforms allow you to download your data in JSON or markdown format. Here's why: if there's a dispute over refunds or if you need to reference your notes later, a local copy protects you. Check Roam Research's Help section for export instructions, or ask support how to download your data in bulk.

Refunds, proration and what to expect

Refund policies at Roam Research are restrictive, but understanding your options helps you negotiate if circumstances warrant it.

Refund policy overview

Roam Research does not automatically issue pro-rata refunds when you cancel a monthly or annual subscription. If you've paid for an annual plan and cancel mid-year, you should not expect a refund for the unused portion-unless you have grounds under Australian Consumer Law.

The exception is if you cancel within any trial period or if the service has failed to deliver what was promised. For example, if you were charged without clear consent after a trial ended, you have a legitimate claim for a refund.

Steps to request a refund

1. Review your billing statement and email receipts. Identify when you were charged and whether a trial period was clearly communicated.
2. Draft an email to support@roamresearch.com titled "Refund request - [Your Email Address]" and include:
   • The date you were charged.
   • The amount (in AUD).
   • A clear explanation of why you believe a refund is warranted (e.g., unexpected renewal, trial-to-paid conversion without consent).
   • A reference to the relevant section of Roam Research's terms that supports your claim, if applicable.
3. Send the email and allow 7-10 business days for a response.
4. If support refuses, reply formally stating that you intend to escalate to the ACCC or your state consumer affairs body if the refund is not processed within 14 days.
5. Warning: Avoid aggressive language; stick to facts and consumer law references. This approach often encourages companies to issue a one-time refund rather than face regulatory complaints.
6. If Roam Research still refuses, Stopee recommends filing a complaint with the ACCC at accc.gov.au or your state's fair trading authority. Provide all documentation.

Common mistakes when cancelling roam research

Cancelling a subscription can feel straightforward, but small oversights often lead to unexpected charges, lost data or failed cancellations. Here's what to avoid.

Mistake 1: relying on settings cancellation without confirmation

Many users cancel via account settings but never verify the cancellation went through. Weeks later, they're charged again. After clicking "cancel" in your account, always email support@roamresearch.com with a follow-up request: "Please confirm my subscription to [plan name] was cancelled on [date]." This creates a paper trail.

Mistake 2: not exporting your data

Once your 60-day deletion window closes, your data is gone permanently. If you don't export your graphs before cancelling, you lose them. Spend 10 minutes downloading a backup-it's worth the peace of mind.

Mistake 3: cancelling close to a renewal date without checking the exact timing

If your annual renewal is in five days and you cancel today, you might still be charged the full renewal fee tomorrow. Check your billing date before you cancel. If a charge is imminent, ask support in your cancellation email whether the upcoming renewal will be waived.

Mistake 4: assuming a trial automatically cancels

Trial periods do not cancel themselves. You must manually cancel before the trial ends, or you'll be automatically charged. Review your original signup email to find your trial end date, then set a reminder to cancel 2-3 days before that date.

Mistake 5: not keeping cancellation confirmation

If you lose your cancellation email and Roam Research later charges you, you have no proof you tried to cancel. Save every confirmation email in a dedicated folder. Stopee recommends taking screenshots as well-email servers can fail or delete old messages.

After cancellation: what happens next

Cancelling is the first step; what follows matters just as much for peace of mind.

Timing of access removal

Once you cancel, your access typically ends at the next renewal date or immediately, depending on Roam Research's policy. Clarify this in your cancellation email so there's no ambiguity. Some services remove access instantly; others let you keep using the service until the paid period expires. Know which applies to you.

Monitoring future charges

Check your bank or credit card statement 5-7 days after your expected cancellation date. If another charge from Roam Research appears, contact your bank immediately and ask them to dispute the charge as an unauthorized transaction. You can also escalate to support with your bank statement as evidence.

Re-activation and grace periods

If you cancel but change your mind within the 60-day deletion window, you can ask support to reactivate your account. Your data is still there. After 60 days, reactivation is not possible-you'd be starting a new account from scratch.

A checklist before you cancel

Use this checklist to ensure nothing goes wrong.

• Export your data: Download all graphs and notes in a backup format before cancellation.
• Check your billing date: Note when your next renewal is so you can time your cancellation strategically.
• Review your trial period: If you received a trial, confirm when it ends and whether auto-renewal is enabled.
• Document your plan details: Write down your plan type (Pro monthly/annual/Believer), signup date and current cost.
• Prepare a refund case if needed: Gather emails showing unexpected charges or promised features not delivered.
• Choose your cancellation method: Decide whether to cancel via settings or email support directly.
• Send cancellation email: Include all required details and request written confirmation.
• Set a follow-up reminder: If you don't hear back within 7 days, send a follow-up message.
• Monitor your next billing cycle: Verify no further charges appear on your statement.
• Save all confirmations: Keep emails and screenshots in a folder for at least 12 months.

Comparing roam research to other note-taking alternatives

Before you cancel, you might want to know how Roam Research stacks up against competitors-especially if cost or features drove your decision to leave.

If cost was your main issue, Obsidian and Logseq offer bidirectional linking at a fraction of Roam Research's price or entirely free. Stopee highlights this because it helps you make an informed decision about whether to cancel or downgrade your plan.

Get support with your cancellation

Cancelling a digital subscription should never be harder than signing up, yet many companies hide their cancellation processes or make refund requests difficult to navigate. At Stopee, we believe Australian consumers deserve clarity and fairness every step of the way.

If you've tried to cancel Roam Research and hit a wall-whether it's a missing confirmation email, a surprise charge, or a refund request that's been ignored-Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unfair subscriptions, recover refunds, and understand their consumer rights. Visit stopee.com to report your experience or get personalised guidance on next steps.

Remember: your cancellation is valid the moment Roam Research confirms it in writing. Anything after that is the company's responsibility to execute properly. Document everything, stay calm, and don't hesitate to escalate if they don't honour your cancellation within 7 days.

Contact details and escalation

Primary cancellation contact: support@roamresearch.com

If Roam Research does not respond or refuses a justified refund, escalate to:

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): accc.gov.au
• Your state's fair trading authority (links available through accc.gov.au)
• Stopee: stopee.com (for guidance and dispute escalation)