Manage Dreamstime

How to cancel your dreamstime subscription in canada

What is dreamstime and why you might want to cancel

Dreamstime operates as an online marketplace where you can license royalty-free images, illustrations, video footage, and other creative assets. The platform sells both monthly and yearly subscriptions, as well as credit packs, letting you download media for your projects. You access Dreamstime either through its website or via Apple's App Store and Google Play.

Many Canadian users subscribe to Dreamstime for short-term projects-a website redesign, a marketing campaign, or freelance work. Once that project wraps, your subscription may no longer serve you. If you've stopped downloading regularly, or discovered Dreamstime's library doesn't match your creative needs, cancelling makes financial sense. At Stopee, we've guided thousands of Canadian consumers through subscription cancellations, and Dreamstime is no exception. Understanding your options now saves you money and frustration later.

When cancellation makes sense

You should consider cancelling Dreamstime if you've completed the project it funded, if you've found a cheaper competitor, or if you rarely use your monthly downloads. Automatic renewals can drain your account month after month without you noticing-especially if your billing address has changed or your payment method has shifted. Stopee recommends reviewing all active subscriptions quarterly to catch ones you've forgotten about.

How stopee helps you stay in control

At Stopee, our mission is to help you take back control of your digital wallet. We provide step-by-step cancellation guides, highlight common traps that catch consumers off guard, and connect you with your consumer rights under Canadian law. Whether you're cancelling Dreamstime or any other subscription, Stopee ensures you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after cancellation.

Your consumer rights under canadian law

Every Canadian province protects your right to cancel subscriptions, and federal law adds another layer of safeguards.

Federal protections: the consumer protection act

Canada's Consumer Protection Act gives you the right to cancel a subscription within 14 calendar days of purchase-with limited exceptions. If Dreamstime fails to honour this window, or if you discover misleading billing practices, you have grounds to escalate your complaint to your provincial consumer protection office.

Key protections include:

• A 14-day cancellation window from the date of purchase
• Full refund if you cancel within that window (unless media was downloaded)
• Clear, upfront disclosure of all subscription terms before you pay
• A simple, accessible cancellation method

Provincial protections and escalation

If Dreamstime refuses to cancel your subscription or denies a valid refund claim, contact your provincial consumer protection authority:

• Ontario: ServiceOntario Consumer Protection (1-800-889-9768)
• British Columbia: BC Consumer Protection Office
• Alberta: Alberta Fair Trading Act administrator
• Quebec: Office of the Protecteur du consommateur
• Other provinces: Check your local government website for your consumer protection agency

Stopee advises keeping all cancellation confirmations, payment receipts, and email correspondence. These documents are your proof if you need to file a complaint or claim a refund.

How to cancel dreamstime on the web

Cancelling through Dreamstime's website is the most straightforward path if you subscribed directly.

Step-by-step cancellation process

1. Sign into your Dreamstime account at dreamstime.com using your email and password
2. Navigate to your account settings and locate the "Payment Profiles" or "Billing" section
3. Find your active subscription and select "Manage" or "Edit"
4. Look for the option to disable automatic renewal or cancel subscription
   • Click on "Turn off automatic renewal" or the equivalent cancellation button
   • Confirm your choice when prompted
5. You will receive a confirmation email within minutes; save this email as your proof of cancellation
6. Log out and check your email account for the cancellation confirmation

Important note: converting yearly to monthly first

Warning: If you hold an active yearly subscription, Dreamstime does not allow you to cancel mid-term without converting to a monthly plan first. You must pay the difference between your yearly rate and the equivalent monthly cost, then cancel the monthly renewal. This extra step catches many users off guard. At Stopee, we flag this barrier because it feels designed to discourage cancellation.

Contact Dreamstime support (see details below) if you're unsure whether conversion is required for your plan.

How to cancel dreamstime on apple and google

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play, Dreamstime cannot cancel your subscription for you-the app stores control all cancellations on their platforms.

Cancelling on apple (iPhone, iPad, mac)

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple device
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen, then select "Subscriptions"
3. Find "Dreamstime" in your active subscriptions list
4. Tap on Dreamstime and select "Cancel Subscription"
   • Confirm the cancellation by tapping again when prompted
5. You will see a confirmation that your subscription ends on a specific date (your next renewal date)
6. Apple sends a confirmation email to the address linked to your Apple ID

Pro tip: Set a phone reminder for one day before your final renewal date. This catches any accidental reactivations before they charge you.

Cancelling on google play (Android)

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet
2. Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Payments and subscriptions"
3. Choose "Subscriptions" from the menu
4. Find and tap "Dreamstime"
5. Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice
   • Read the cancellation reason prompt-you can skip this or provide feedback
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" again to confirm
6. You will see a confirmation screen with your final renewal date

Warning: Simply uninstalling the Dreamstime app does NOT cancel your subscription. Charges will continue until you complete the cancellation steps above. Stopee has heard from many users who made this mistake.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancelling your Dreamstime subscription stops the automatic renewal, but you retain full access to your account and downloads until your current billing period ends.

Access and timeline

You will continue to use all features and download media through the last day of your paid period. On your next renewal date (had you not cancelled), your access expires. Dreamstime will not refund you for unused time during your current paid month or year.

Your account data after cancellation

Dreamstime retains your account information, download history, and saved content libraries for a period after cancellation (check Dreamstime's privacy policy for specifics). You can reactivate your subscription and restore access to past downloads without re-purchasing them. If you delete your account entirely, you lose all stored data-a step Stopee recommends only if you're certain you won't need Dreamstime again.

What happens to your credits

Unused download credits or subscription credits expire according to Dreamstime's terms, typically 30 to 90 days after your subscription ends. If you have remaining credits and anticipate needing media soon, download content before your cancellation takes effect to avoid losing the credits entirely.

Refund eligibility and how to claim one

Dreamstime's refund policy is strict but not unreasonable-knowing the rules puts you in a stronger position to recover money if you qualify.

When dreamstime will refund you

How to request a refund

1. Contact Dreamstime support with your subscription details and the reason you're requesting a refund
2. Provide your order number, subscription start date, and proof that no (or minimal) downloads were made
3. Reference Dreamstime's 30-day refund window or your grounds under the Consumer Protection Act
4. Dreamstime will review your claim and respond within 5 to 10 business days
   • If approved, the refund processes to your original payment method within 3 to 7 business days
   • If denied, ask for a detailed explanation in writing

Pro tip: If Dreamstime denies a refund you believe you're entitled to, escalate to your provincial consumer protection office. Stopee has supported consumers who successfully appealed denied refunds using provincial leverage.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but small oversights can leave your account active and your card charged. You're not alone if you've made these mistakes-Stopee sees them repeatedly, and they're almost always preventable.

Forgetting to disable auto-renewal

The biggest trap is assuming that uninstalling the app or simply stopping downloads cancels your subscription. It does not. You must explicitly turn off automatic renewal in your account settings or through your app store. Many users discover months later that they've been charged repeatedly.

Confusing app cancellation with account cancellation

If you bought through Apple or Google, cancelling in Dreamstime's web settings does not cancel your app store subscription. You must use Apple's Settings app or Google Play to cancel. Dreamstime's support team cannot override app store subscriptions-only the store itself can cancel them.

Overlooking the yearly-to-monthly conversion requirement

Yearly subscribers cannot cancel mid-contract without converting to monthly (and paying the difference). Many users give up at this point, thinking they're locked in. They aren't-but you must complete the conversion step first. Stopee advises contacting support if the conversion process isn't clear.

Missing the 30-day refund window

Dreamstime's 30-day refund window is your primary leverage. After 30 days, or if you've downloaded any media, your refund claim weakens significantly. Track your purchase date and act quickly if you want your money back.

Not saving cancellation confirmation

Always keep the cancellation confirmation email. If Dreamstime charges you again (errors happen), this email is your proof that you cancelled. Without it, your dispute becomes much harder to resolve.

Dreamstime pricing and plan comparison

Understanding what you're paying for helps you decide whether staying subscribed makes financial sense.

Note: Dreamstime displays prices primarily in USD and GBP on its site; actual CAD charges depend on your payment method and current exchange rates at checkout. Always confirm the CAD amount before confirming payment.

Is the subscription worth keeping?

Calculate your cost per download over the past three months. If you're paying $50/month but only downloading 5 assets, you're spending $10 per image-likely more than buying individual licenses elsewhere. Stopee recommends comparing Dreamstime's effective cost against competitors like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images before renewing.

Contacting dreamstime support

Sometimes you need help directly from Dreamstime-whether to clarify cancellation terms, request an exception, or dispute a charge.

Contact methods

• Toll-free phone (Canada): 1-800-243-1791
• Email support: Use the contact form at dreamstime.com/contact
• Online contact page: dreamstime.com/contact

Phone support is fastest if you have an urgent issue. Email support works well for documentation-your message creates a paper trail that Stopee recommends keeping for dispute resolution.

Sending a formal cancellation letter

If Dreamstime fails to cancel online or denies your cancellation via email, you can send a registered letter (requiring a signature upon delivery). This creates legal proof of your cancellation request.

Dreamstime mailing address for Canada:

Dreamstime Media Ltd.
Registered mail (with proof of delivery) is advisable for formal cancellation notices.

Contact Dreamstime support for the most current mailing address, as corporate addresses can change. Stopee recommends sending your letter at least 30 days before your next renewal to ensure it arrives in time.

When to escalate beyond dreamstime

If Dreamstime ignores your cancellation request or refuses a valid refund, escalation is your next step.

File a complaint with your provincial regulator

Your provincial consumer protection authority has the power to investigate Dreamstime's practices and order refunds if the company violates consumer law. At Stopee, we've helped consumers file successful complaints by documenting the timeline, saving all communications, and citing the relevant Consumer Protection Act sections.

Dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company

If Dreamstime continues charging you after cancellation and refuses to refund, you can initiate a chargeback (credit card) or dispute (debit card) through your financial institution. Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation email and any refusal messages from Dreamstime. Most banks side with consumers in these disputes.

Checklist for cancelling dreamstime

Use this checklist to ensure you've covered every step and won't be charged again.

1. Before cancelling:
   • Download any media you still need (credits expire post-cancellation)
   • Note your subscription start date and next renewal date
   • Decide if you need a refund or just want to stop future charges
2. Cancellation day:
   • Sign into your account (web, Apple, or Google Play, depending on where you subscribed)
   • Navigate to subscription or billing settings
   • Turn off automatic renewal and confirm the cancellation
   • Take a screenshot of the confirmation message
3. After cancellation:
   • Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Dreamstime or your app store
   • Save this email in a folder marked "Subscriptions" for your records
   • Set a calendar reminder for one day before your final renewal date
4. If you're claiming a refund:
   • Contact Dreamstime support with your order number and reason within 30 days of purchase
   • Request a written response confirming the refund or denial
   • If denied, escalate to your provincial consumer protection office
5. Monitor your account:
   • Check your billing statements for 60 days after cancellation to catch any errant charges
   • If charged after cancellation, contact Dreamstime immediately with your cancellation proof

Final thoughts: you're in control at stopee

Dreamstime's cancellation process is navigable once you understand the platform-specific rules and timelines. Whether you're cancelling because your project wrapped, you found a cheaper option, or you simply no longer need stock media, the key is acting decisively and keeping your cancellation proof.

Stopee has helped thousands of Canadian consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer use, recover refunds they're entitled to, and take back control of their spending. Our guides cover every major subscription service, our escalation advice draws on real consumer protection law, and our checklists prevent the mistakes that catch people off guard.

Start by reviewing the step-by-step cancellation method that matches where you subscribed (web, Apple, or Google Play), then follow the timeline to your renewal date. If Dreamstime resists, escalate using the provincial authority in your region. You have rights, and Stopee is here to help you exercise them.

Ready to take control? Visit Stopee.com for guides to cancelling hundreds of other subscriptions, plus real-time support when you need it. Stopee has supported thousands of Canadians in reclaiming their digital wallets-and we're here for you too.