Manage Epidemic Sound

How to cancel epidemic sound in new zealand and protect your rights

What is epidemic sound and why creators use it

Epidemic Sound is a subscription service that gives creators, businesses, and media producers instant access to royalty-free music and sound effects. You gain full licensing rights to use and monetise content across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, and social media while your subscription remains active.

The platform appeals to creators because its catalogue is searchable, curated into playlists, and pre-cleared for monetisation without the hassle of individual licensing. Many New Zealand content creators rely on Epidemic Sound to speed up production without worrying about copyright strikes or takedowns.

How the subscription model works

You pay a monthly or annual subscription fee upfront. While subscribed, you download unlimited tracks and publish them royalty-free. The catch: your published content remains cleared only as long as your subscription stays active. If you cancel, any new content you create loses that protection, though content published during your active subscription period remains licensed.

Who typically cancels and why

Many creators cancel when they finish a project, switch to alternative music services, or realise the cost doesn't justify their usage. Others cancel after the free trial converts to a paid plan without explicit warning. Understanding your cancellation rights protects you from unexpected charges and helps you reclaim control of your subscription spending.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 2023 protect you when you cancel digital services. Knowing these rights gives you leverage if Epidemic Sound resists your cancellation or refuses a refund you're entitled to.

Consumer guarantees act protections

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, digital services must be supplied with due care and skill. If Epidemic Sound fails to deliver what you paid for, charges you without proper consent, or makes cancellation deliberately difficult, you have grounds to dispute the charge with your bank or escalate to the Commerce Commission.

The Act also protects you from unfair contract terms. If Epidemic Sound's cancellation process is hidden, overly complex, or designed to trap you, that term may be unenforceable. You can use this as a lever when requesting refunds for charges incurred due to unclear trial-to-paid conversion.

Fair trading act standards

The Fair Trading Act prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct. If Epidemic Sound's trial offer doesn't clearly state when charges begin, or if the cancellation method is buried or non-functional, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission. This authority has successfully pushed subscription services to refund consumers caught by dark patterns.

Your escalation path

If Epidemic Sound refuses to process your cancellation or denies a refund you believe you're owed, contact the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz) or your bank's dispute resolution team. Document every step: screenshots of the cancellation request, confirmation numbers, and any support emails. Stopee recommends keeping these records for at least 12 months.

Epidemic sound pricing in new zealand

Below is a snapshot of Epidemic Sound's current New Zealand pricing. All prices are in NZD and include a 30-day free trial (no payment required upfront).

Plan comparison and pricing table

The annual plan offers significant savings-roughly 44% discount on the Creator plan when paid upfront. However, annual commitment means you must plan your cancellation carefully to avoid losing access mid-project.

When the trial converts to a paid subscription

Your 30-day free trial ends and automatically converts to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial expires. Epidemic Sound will charge your payment method on day 31. If you did not explicitly agree to a paid subscription in writing or by ticking a consent box, you may have grounds to dispute this charge with your bank under the Fair Trading Act.

Should you cancel epidemic sound

Before you cancel, weigh whether Epidemic Sound still delivers value for your workflow and budget. This clarity helps you decide whether to pause, switch plans, or cancel outright.

Reasons to keep your subscription

• You publish content weekly or more frequently and need reliable, pre-cleared music.
• You work with multiple clients and need the Pro plan's sublicensing rights.
• You've invested time learning the platform's interface and playlist curation.
• The annual rate (NZ$119.88 for Creator) averages NZ$9.99 monthly-competitive for unlimited downloads.
• Your published content remains monetised as long as you stay subscribed; cancelling risks losing that protection.

Reasons to cancel

• You've finished a project and don't plan to create regularly.
• You're switching to a cheaper alternative like Artlist or Soundly.
• You want to try a free service like YouTube Audio Library first.
• The subscription converted from trial to paid without your explicit consent.
• You're charged but haven't used the service in months.

If you're on the fence, Stopee recommends pausing rather than cancelling. Some services allow temporary subscription pauses; check with Epidemic Sound support first. However, if you've decided to leave, cancelling immediately stops future charges and preserves your legal position if a dispute arises.

How to cancel epidemic sound step-by-step

Cancelling Epidemic Sound requires you to use the web interface on a desktop or mobile browser. The mobile app does not support cancellation, which is a common friction point-so follow these steps carefully.

Cancel via the web (desktop or mobile browser)

1. Open a web browser and go to epidemicsound.com. Do not use the mobile app.
   • If you're on a mobile device, open your browser and navigate to the Epidemic Sound website.
2. Log into your account using your email and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
3. Click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the screen.
   • A dropdown menu will appear with account options.
4. Select "Account" or "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
   • You should land on your account overview page.
5. Look for the "Subscription" or "Subscriptions" section. Click "Manage Subscription."
   • This section displays your current plan, billing date, and renewal date.
6. Click the "Cancel Subscription" button.
   • Warning: Epidemic Sound may offer a discounted rate to retain you. If you're set on cancelling, ignore this offer and proceed.
7. Confirm your cancellation by clicking "Yes, cancel my subscription" or the equivalent confirmation button.
   • You may be asked to select a reason for cancellation (e.g., "too expensive," "not using it"). Select the most accurate reason; this feedback helps the company improve.
8. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page and save any confirmation email Epidemic Sound sends you.
   • Pro tip: Epidemic Sound may not always email a confirmation, so the screenshot is your proof of cancellation. Store it in a folder labelled "Subscriptions" on your computer.

If you cannot cancel online

If the cancellation button is missing or you encounter an error, contact Epidemic Sound support immediately via their help centre (help.epidemicsound.com) or email support. Document your request with a screenshot and the date. If Epidemic Sound doesn't respond within 5 business days, escalate to the Commerce Commission with your evidence.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is an emotional moment-you're ending a service, possibly mid-project. Understanding what you retain and what you lose helps you plan your next move.

Access during your final billing period

After you cancel, you retain full access to Epidemic Sound's catalogue until the end of your current billing period. If your next charge date is 15 January and you cancel on 8 January, you keep access until 15 January. Use this time to download any final tracks you need for ongoing projects.

What happens to your published content

Content you published while your subscription was active remains licensed and monetised. You do not need to take it down. However, any new content you create after cancellation cannot use Epidemic Sound tracks without legal risk-you lose the license the moment your subscription ends.

Your account and data

Your account information, download history, and playlists remain stored in Epidemic Sound's system. You can log back in after cancellation to view your account, but you cannot download new tracks or access the catalogue unless you resubscribe. If you want to delete your account entirely, contact support to request permanent deletion.

Will you get a refund

Epidemic Sound's refund policy is restrictive, but exceptions exist. Understanding when you might have a legitimate claim empowers you to push back if the company initially refuses.

Epidemic sound's standard policy

Epidemic Sound does not issue refunds for charges already incurred under normal circumstances. This applies even if you cancel immediately after payment. Their position is that you had access to the full catalogue during the billing period, so the service was delivered.

Free trial exceptions

• If you cancel before your 30-day free trial expires, you will not be charged. No action is required; you simply lose access when the trial ends.
• If your trial converts to a paid plan and charges you without explicit prior consent (a ticked consent box or signed agreement), you may dispute the charge with your bank under the Fair Trading Act.
• Content published during your free trial remains licensed even after cancellation, provided you cancel before the trial ends.

When you might win a refund

You have a stronger case for a refund if any of the following apply:

• Duplicate charges: You were charged twice in one billing cycle.
• Unauthorised charge: Someone else used your account and charged it without permission.
• Trial conversion without consent: Your trial auto-converted and you were charged despite no explicit agreement.
• Service failure: Epidemic Sound was unavailable for an extended period during your billing cycle, or tracks you licensed were suddenly removed from the catalogue.
• Unfair contract term: The cancellation process was deliberately hidden or made impossibly difficult, violating the Fair Trading Act.

In these cases, request a refund directly from Epidemic Sound support with evidence (screenshots, email timestamps, bank statements). If they refuse, dispute the charge with your bank. Your bank can investigate and potentially reverse the transaction on your behalf. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers recover refunds by escalating past the initial "no."

Timing your cancellation to minimise charges

If you're mid-billing cycle and want a refund, cancel immediately and document your request. Most subscription services calculate prorated refunds for early cancellation, though Epidemic Sound does not advertise this. It's worth asking support directly: "I cancelled on [date], which is [X days] before my renewal. Can you refund the unused portion?" Many teams will grant this goodwill gesture, especially if you've been a long-term subscriber.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

You're frustrated, you want out, and mistakes happen. These errors could delay your cancellation or cost you money-so watch for them.

Trying to cancel via the mobile app

The Epidemic Sound app does not include a cancellation option. Many users search the app for "cancel," find nothing, and assume they must contact support. This is intentional friction. Always use the web interface on epidemicsound.com to cancel. Stopee recommends bookmarking this page on your phone's home screen so you never forget.

Cancelling but forgetting to take a screenshot

Epidemic Sound's confirmation email is not guaranteed to arrive immediately (or at all). If you cancel without a screenshot, you have no proof if a dispute arises. Charge-backs and refund claims require evidence. Always screenshot the confirmation page before closing your browser.

Assuming your subscription has ended

Cancellation does not immediately stop access-it stops the subscription from renewing after your current billing period ends. If you cancel on 8 January but your renewal date is 15 January, you're still charged on 15 January. The cancellation takes effect on your next renewal date. Check your renewal date before you cancel so you know exactly when access will end.

Not checking for hidden charges

After you cancel, check your bank or credit card statement for 30 days. Some services process final charges or add unexpected fees after cancellation. If you spot an unauthorised charge, dispute it immediately with your bank. Keep your cancellation screenshot as evidence.

Restarting the trial without intending to

If you log back into Epidemic Sound after cancellation within a certain window, the service may reactivate your trial or prompt you to restart a subscription. If you're just checking something, be careful not to accidentally restart a paid plan. Consider a permanent account deletion if you're sure you won't return.

Before you go: final checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you're ready to cancel and that you've covered all bases.

Your next steps and support

Cancelling Epidemic Sound is straightforward if you follow these steps and avoid the common traps. Remember: the web interface is your only cancellation path, your screenshot is your proof, and your consumer rights protect you if anything goes wrong.

If epidemic sound refuses to cancel

If you click "Cancel Subscription" and the button does not work, or if support ignores your cancellation request, you have legal recourse. Contact the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz) with screenshots showing the broken button or copies of unresponded support emails. The Commerce Commission takes subscription trap complaints seriously and has the power to force refunds and process changes.

If you're charged after cancellation

Dispute the charge with your bank immediately. Provide your cancellation screenshot as evidence. Your bank can reverse the transaction within 120 days. If Epidemic Sound arguments the charge is valid, your screenshot of the cancellation confirmation will override their claim.

Need help navigating this process

Stopee exists to help you navigate cancellations and consumer rights. If you're unsure whether you have grounds for a refund, or if Epidemic Sound's support team is giving you the runaround, Stopee can guide you through your next steps-whether that's a bank dispute, Commerce Commission complaint, or simply confirming you've cancelled correctly. Visit Stopee.com to explore guides for other services and consumer protections specific to New Zealand. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer need and reclaim refunds they deserve. You're not alone in this.

Keep this record

Save this guide, your cancellation screenshot, and any confirmation emails in a folder on your computer or cloud drive. If a dispute arises weeks or months later, you'll have everything you need to prove you cancelled and to fight any unauthorised charges. Consumer protection is your right-claim it.