Manage Monstercat

How to cancel monstercat and protect your subscription rights in new zealand

What monstercat is and why new zealand creators use it

Monstercat is an independent electronic music label and subscription service designed for content creators who need claim-safe, royalty-friendly music for their videos, streams, and projects. The platform offers its Gold membership program, which gives you access to downloadable tracks, creator-friendly licensing, shop discounts, early access to releases, and an active community of music producers and creators across the globe.

If you've signed up for Monstercat Gold and now want to step back or switch services, Stopee is here to walk you through the cancellation process and explain your rights as a New Zealand consumer.

Gold membership benefits at a glance

Monstercat Gold includes claim-safe music you can use in monetized videos without copyright disputes, unlimited downloads to your computer or device, exclusive shop discounts on merchandise and bundles, early access to new music releases, and community features that connect you with other creators. For many New Zealand content creators, these features justify the subscription cost. For others, the service no longer fits their workflow or budget.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

Before you cancel, understand what protections the law gives you. The Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act are your strongest tools if Monstercat fails to deliver what it promised or misleads you about the service.

What the consumer guarantees act covers

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, all services sold to you in New Zealand must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered with reasonable care and skill. If Monstercat Gold fails to deliver claim-safe music, or if the licensing terms change without notice, you have grounds to escalate a complaint. Digital services and subscription products are covered by this law, even though they are not physical goods.

The Act also requires that services be provided within a reasonable time and that any statements about the service (such as "royalty-free" or "monetization-safe") are accurate and not misleading.

How to escalate if monstercat doesn't deliver

If you believe Monstercat has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act or misrepresented its service, first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the company. If they refuse to help, contact your local Community Law Centre or Citizens' Advice Bureau for free guidance. For unresolved disputes under NZ$30,000, the Disputes Tribunal offers a low-cost resolution pathway. You can also lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission if you believe the service has engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct.

Stopee recommends keeping records of all emails, screenshots of subscription features, and notes about when the service failed to meet expectations. These documents strengthen your position if you need to escalate.

Cancellation methods for monstercat subscriptions

Your cancellation method depends on where you purchased your Monstercat Gold subscription. The platform uses three separate subscription pathways, and you must cancel through the correct one or your subscription will not stop.

Where to find your subscription type

Log into your Monstercat account at monstercat.com and navigate to your user settings. Look for "Gold Subscription" or "Subscription Status" in your account dashboard. If you see a "Manage Subscription" button that links to Monstercat's own system, you subscribed directly through their website. If that button is absent or grayed out, you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and you must cancel through that store instead.

Step-by-step cancellation for each platform

Follow the exact steps for your subscription type. Each pathway is straightforward, but missing even one step could leave your subscription active and charges running.

Cancel via the monstercat website

1. Visit monstercat.com and log into your account using your email and password.
2. Click your profile icon or avatar in the top-right corner and select "Account Settings" or "My Account".
3. Locate the "Subscriptions" or "Billing" section in the left-hand menu.
4. Find "Monstercat Gold" and click "Manage Subscription" or "View Details".
5. Select the option to "Cancel Subscription" or "Downgrade to Free". A warning message will appear asking you to confirm.
6. Read the cancellation notice carefully. It will state your final billing date and the date your access ends.
7. Confirm the cancellation by clicking the final "Confirm Cancellation" or "Yes, cancel my subscription" button.
8. You will receive an email confirmation within minutes. Keep this email as proof of cancellation.

Pro tip: Monstercat often displays a discounted renewal offer as a last-minute incentive to stay. If you are certain you want to cancel, ignore this offer and proceed to cancellation.

Warning: Do not simply stop using your account. Inactive accounts continue to renew automatically unless you formally cancel through the steps above.

Cancel via apple app store (iOS)

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app (the grey gear icon).
2. Scroll down and tap "App Store" (or on older devices, "iTunes & App Store").
3. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen. If prompted, enter your password or use Face ID.
4. Select "Subscriptions" from the menu that appears.
5. Find "Monstercat" in the list of active subscriptions and tap it.
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription".
7. Confirm the cancellation. Apple will display your final billing date.
8. You will see a notice that your subscription ends on [specific date]. This is your proof of cancellation.

Warning: Deleting the Monstercat app from your iPhone will not cancel your subscription. The subscription runs separately through Apple's payment system. You must follow the steps above to stop charges.

Pro tip: If you are asked to rate your experience before confirming, you can skip this and go straight to cancellation. Apple will process your cancellation regardless.

Cancel via google play store (Android)

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions" from the menu.
4. Tap "Subscriptions".
5. Find "Monstercat" and tap it to open the subscription details.
6. Tap "Cancel subscription".
7. Select your reason for cancellation (optional) and tap "Cancel subscription" again to confirm.
8. Google Play will confirm that your subscription has been cancelled and display your final access date.

Pro tip: Google Play often offers a brief reprieve period after you tap "Cancel". If you see a prompt asking if you want to "Continue" or "Cancel anyway", choose "Cancel anyway" to finish the process.

Warning: If you subscribed via Google Play, attempting to cancel through the Monstercat website will not work. Monstercat cannot override store-managed subscriptions. You must cancel through Google Play itself.

What happens to your access and data after cancellation

Cancelling Monstercat feels uncertain because access does not end immediately. Understanding this timeline helps you plan your transition and know exactly what you retain after your subscription expires.

Access during the grace period

When you cancel, you retain full access to Monstercat Gold features until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of the month and your billing cycle ends on the 30th, you have two more weeks of access at no extra cost. Use this time to download any tracks you need or finalize your content strategy.

After your billing period ends, Monstercat will remove your Gold badge and deactivate access to premium features. You will lose the ability to claim new copyright-safe downloads, but your account will revert to the free tier if it exists.

Your downloaded music and video claims

Music you downloaded during an active Gold subscription remains yours and stays on your computer or device. However, the licensing terms that govern how you use that music are set by Monstercat and remain in effect even after you cancel.

Content you uploaded to YouTube or other platforms during your active Gold membership may continue to generate revenue after cancellation if Monstercat's licensing arrangements permit it. Some creators report that videos remain monetized without copyright claims even after their subscription ends. This outcome depends on Monstercat's agreements with YouTube and other platforms, and results vary.

Pro tip: If you are relying on Monstercat music in your uploads, download copies of any tracks you plan to use beyond your subscription end date. This protects you if Monstercat changes its claims policies.

Refund policy and when you can get your money back

Monstercat does not publish a formal public refund policy for Gold subscriptions, which means subscription payments are treated as non-refundable once processed. However, you have options depending on how and when you paid.

Refunds from monstercat directly

Monstercat will not refund past subscription periods or partial months. Your cancellation stops future charges, but you will not receive money back for time already paid. This is Monstercat's standard position and applies even if you cancel immediately after purchase.

If you believe Monstercat failed to deliver the service as described (for example, if music was not claim-safe or if the platform was unusable), you have grounds to request a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Stopee recommends submitting a formal complaint to Monstercat explaining the fault and requesting a refund. If they refuse, escalate to the Disputes Tribunal or your Community Law Centre.

Refunds from apple or google if you subscribed via their stores

Apple and Google both offer refund windows for app subscriptions. If you cancel within 48 hours of your first charge, Apple will often issue a refund automatically. Google Play allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase for first-time subscribers. After this window closes, refunds become unlikely but not impossible.

To request a refund from Apple, visit reportaproblem.apple.com, find your Monstercat charge, and select "Report a Problem". Explain why you want a refund. Apple reviews your request and usually responds within 48 hours. For Google Play, open the Play Store, go to your account settings, find the Monstercat subscription charge, and tap "Request refund".

Warning: Refund requests are discretionary. Apple and Google are more likely to approve refunds for genuine technical faults (the app crashing, features not working) than for "change of mind" cancellations. Be honest and specific in your request.

Monstercat gold pricing in new zealand

Monstercat does not publish official New Zealand Dollar prices, so the figures below are estimated conversions from USD. Actual charges depend on your payment method and current exchange rates.

Monthly and annual plans

If you are on the annual plan, cancelling within the first month will not earn you a partial refund for the remaining year. However, you will stop future annual charges. Plan your cancellation timing to minimize waste: if your annual renewal is in one month and you no longer need the service, cancel now rather than waiting for the next charge.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling monstercat

Cancellation frustration is real, especially when you think you have cancelled but charges keep appearing. These mistakes are easy to make, and Stopee has seen them cost New Zealand subscribers real money.

Mistake one: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

Removing the Monstercat app from your phone feels like you have cancelled, but you haven't. The app and the subscription are separate. Your subscription lives in Apple's or Google's servers, not on your device. Deleting the app leaves the subscription active and your payment method charged every month.

Always cancel through Settings (Apple) or the Play Store (Google) before deleting the app. Check your subscription status one week after cancellation to confirm the process worked.

Mistake two: cancelling on the wrong platform

If you subscribed via Apple but attempt to cancel through Monstercat's website, your cancellation will fail silently. You will not receive an error message. You will simply return to your account settings and see the subscription still active. Three months later, you realize you have been charged NZ$39 for a service you thought you cancelled.

Verify your subscription source before cancelling. Log into Monstercat and check whether a "Manage Subscription" button appears in your account settings. If it does not, you subscribed via an app store, not Monstercat's website.

Mistake three: not saving your cancellation confirmation

Monstercat and Apple and Google all send cancellation confirmations via email. Take 30 seconds to screenshot or save these emails. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, you have proof that you cancelled and can dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider.

Cancellation checklist and timeline

Use this checklist to confirm you have cancelled correctly and to track what happens next.

What to do if charges continue after you cancel

If a charge appears on your bank statement after your cancellation date, stay calm and act quickly. You have options, and most disputes are resolved in your favour.

Step one: confirm your cancellation was processed

Log back into your Monstercat account and check your subscription status. If the Gold badge is gone and the subscription shows as "Cancelled" or "Inactive", your cancellation was successful. The charge may be a delayed refund or a billing system error. Contact Monstercat support with your cancellation confirmation email and the unexpected charge. Give them 5 business days to respond.

Step two: dispute the charge with your bank

If Monstercat does not refund within 5 business days, contact your bank or payment provider (Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, etc.). Explain that you cancelled your subscription and should not have been charged. Provide your cancellation confirmation and the unexpected charge details. Your bank will initiate a dispute on your behalf, and Monstercat will be asked to justify the charge. Most banks rule in your favour if you have proof of cancellation.

Pro tip: Stopee recommends filing your bank dispute within 60 days of the unexpected charge. After 60 days, dispute windows close and recovery becomes much harder.

Step three: escalate to the commerce commission if the problem persists

If multiple charges continue after cancellation and Monstercat refuses to acknowledge the problem, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission at www.comcom.govt.nz. The Commission investigates unfair trading practices, including persistent billing after cancellation. This is a serious escalation and often prompts immediate resolution.

How stopee helps you stay on top of your subscriptions

Cancelling Monstercat is straightforward when you follow the right steps. But keeping track of dozens of subscriptions across multiple platforms, payment methods, and stores is overwhelming. That is where Stopee comes in. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, dispute surprise charges, and take control of their digital spending. Our guides, alerts, and comparison tools ensure you never pay for a service you no longer use.

Whether you are cancelling Monstercat because you found a better music library, your creator income dried up, or you simply need to tighten your budget, Stopee gives you the knowledge and confidence to cancel quickly and protect your refund rights under New Zealand law.

Monstercat contact information and escalation

If you need to contact Monstercat for support or escalation, note that the company does not publish a dedicated New Zealand postal address for consumer complaints. Monstercat's primary office is located in Canada.

Contact methods

Email Monstercat support through their website contact form at monstercat.com/contact. Include your account email, the date you cancelled, and your cancellation confirmation. Monstercat typically responds within 5 business days. For urgent billing disputes, escalate directly to your bank or payment provider rather than waiting for Monstercat's response.

If Monstercat fails to resolve your complaint or refuses to honour the Consumer Guarantees Act, file a formal complaint with the Disputes Tribunal (www.disputes.govt.nz) or your local Community Law Centre. These services are free and designed to help New Zealand consumers enforce their rights against overseas companies.

Stopee's mission is to empower you to cancel with confidence. Whether you are dealing with Monstercat or any other subscription service, you have rights, you have leverage, and you deserve clarity. Start your cancellation today and take back control of your spending.