Manage Synthesia

How to cancel synthesia and stop paying for AI video generation

What synthesia is and why you might want to cancel

Synthesia is a subscription-based AI video platform that transforms text into polished presenter-style videos with digital avatars. The service targets businesses, marketers, trainers, and content creators who need fast video production without hiring a film crew or sitting in front of a camera yourself. If you've subscribed from the Philippines, you're paying in Philippine pesos through an international payment processor, which means your cancellation needs careful handling to avoid duplicate charges or refund delays.

Many users in the Philippines sign up for Synthesia excited about the technology, then discover the monthly costs add up quickly-or they find that the features don't match their workflow. Whatever your reason for cancelling, Stopee is here to walk you through every step so you keep control of your money and don't get trapped by auto-renewal.

How synthesia pricing breaks down for philippine users

Synthesia operates on a tiered subscription model with three main plans, though the company doesn't display pricing directly in Philippine pesos on its website. Based on current conversion rates (as of early 2025), here's what you're likely paying:

Your bank may display charges in USD or GBP, depending on where Synthesia's payment processor is registered. Always check your bank statement against your Synthesia invoice to confirm the exact amount you've been charged each month.

Common reasons users in the philippines cancel synthesia

You might be cancelling because the monthly cost no longer justifies the value, you've finished a specific project, or you've found a cheaper alternative. Others cancel after realizing they don't generate videos frequently enough to justify a subscription. Whatever your situation, Stopee supports your decision to take back control of your spending.

Your consumer rights under philippine law

The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects you as a buyer of goods and services, including digital subscriptions like Synthesia. Understanding these rights strengthens your position if the company refuses to cancel or continues charging after you've requested cancellation.

Key protections the consumer act gives you

Under the Consumer Act, you have the right to accurate information about the service before purchase-including cancellation terms, billing dates, and refund policies. If Synthesia's terms are unclear, vague, or misleading, the law presumes the contract favors you (the consumer), not the company. You also have the right to cancel a subscription and receive a refund if the service fails to deliver as promised or if you cancel within a reasonable period.

If Synthesia continues to bill you after cancellation, you can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or pursue the matter through small claims court. Keep all email confirmations, screenshots of your account status, and bank statements as evidence.

What to do if synthesia ignores your cancellation request

First, send a formal cancellation email to support@synthesia.io with the subject line "Subscription Cancellation Request" and include your account email, current plan name, and the date you want the cancellation to take effect. Request a written confirmation within 48 hours.

If Synthesia doesn't respond or refuses to cancel, escalate to the DTI's Consumer Assistance and Advocacy Division (CAAD) by filing a written complaint. You can visit the DTI office in your province or submit your case online at dti.gov.ph. Include copies of all correspondence and proof of payment.

How to cancel synthesia from your account

Cancellation is most reliable when you handle it directly through your Synthesia dashboard, though the company's help pages don't always make the process obvious. Follow these steps in order to protect yourself from accidental re-billing.

Prepare your account before hitting cancel

Never cancel without doing these checks first. Log into your Synthesia account and note down your next billing date (usually shown in account settings or billing history). Take a screenshot of your current plan name and any active features. If you've created personal avatars or uploaded custom assets, download them now-the company doesn't clearly state what happens to your content after cancellation, so it's safer to have copies.

Pro tip: Export any videos you've created as well. Synthesia may restrict access to your content once your subscription ends, so don't risk losing months of work because you didn't back up beforehand.

Step-by-step cancellation in your dashboard

1. Open your web browser and log into your Synthesia account at synthesia.com.
   • Use the same email address you registered with.
   • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password" link and reset it before proceeding.
2. Click on your profile icon or avatar in the top-right corner of the dashboard.
   • Look for a menu with options like "Account," "Settings," "Workspace," or "Billing."
   • If you manage a team workspace, select your personal account settings, not the team workspace.
3. Navigate to the Billing or Subscription section.
   • You should see your current plan displayed with the next renewal date.
   • Look for a button or link labeled "Cancel Plan," "Manage Subscription," "Downgrade," or "Cancel Subscription."
4. Click the cancellation option and follow the on-screen prompts.
   • Synthesia may ask why you're cancelling-you can skip this or provide feedback.
   • The system should offer a final confirmation: "Your subscription will end on [date]. After this date, you'll have read-only access."
5. Confirm the cancellation by clicking the final "Confirm" or "Cancel Subscription" button.
   • Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen immediately.
   • Note the cancellation reference number if one appears.
6. Check your email for a confirmation message from Synthesia (support@synthesia.io).
   • This email should state your cancellation date and when your access will end.
   • If you don't receive an email within 2 hours, log back in and verify your subscription status.

Warning: If you don't see a cancellation option in your account settings, your subscription may be managed through a third-party payment platform (like Stripe or a reseller). In that case, proceed to the live chat method below.

Cancelling via live chat if the dashboard option isn't visible

Synthesia offers 24/7 live chat support directly in the dashboard. This is your fastest route if the cancel button isn't where you expect it to be.

1. Log into your Synthesia account and look for a chat icon (usually a speech bubble) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
   • Click "Open chat" or "Contact support."
   • A chat window will open immediately if an agent is available.
2. Type a clear message: "I want to cancel my subscription effective immediately. My account email is [your email], and my current plan is [Starter/Creator/Enterprise]. Please confirm the cancellation date and confirm that billing will stop before my next renewal."
   • Be specific about your email and plan name so the agent pulls up the right account quickly.
   • Request written confirmation in the same chat.
3. The agent will process your cancellation and provide a confirmation message in the chat.
   • Save or screenshot the entire conversation before closing the chat window.
   • Request the agent's name and the cancellation reference number.
4. Ask three confirming questions and wait for written answers:
   • "When will my subscription officially end?"
   • "Will I be charged again on my next billing date?"
   • "When does my access to the platform expire?"
5. If the agent is unclear or unhelpful, end the chat and try again with a different agent, or escalate to email support.
   • Email support@synthesia.io with the subject "Cancellation Request - Account [your email]."
   • Include screenshots of the chat conversation if possible.

Pro tip: Synthesia's live chat is fast, but agents may use templated responses. If they don't directly answer your questions about the cancellation date or final charge, ask them to copy-paste their response into an email so you have written proof.

What happens to your content and access after cancellation

Once your subscription ends on the cancellation date, your Synthesia account enters a "read-only" state, meaning you can still view your videos and projects but cannot create new ones or edit existing work. Your personal avatar and any custom assets may be deleted after 30 days, though Synthesia's public documentation doesn't always confirm this timeframe.

Download all your video files, project data, and assets well before your cancellation date takes effect. Most users have access for 24 to 72 hours after cancellation to export files, but don't rely on this window if you need your content urgently.

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Synthesia's refund policy isn't clearly published on its website, but standard practice for monthly subscriptions is that you'll keep access through the end of the month you've paid for-no mid-month refunds. If you cancel on the 15th and your renewal is the 1st of next month, you'll have access until that renewal date passes, then billing stops.

When you can claim a refund

You may be entitled to a refund if:

• Synthesia continues charging you after you've cancelled and requested confirmation.
• The service was unavailable for more than 48 hours during your billing period.
• You were charged twice for the same month due to a technical error.
• You cancelled within 14 days of your initial sign-up and didn't use the service (under the Consumer Act's "cooling-off" period).

If any of these apply, contact Synthesia immediately with your bank statement and account screenshots. Request a full or partial refund in writing and set a 14-day deadline for their response. If they refuse, file a chargeback dispute with your bank or credit card company by providing evidence of your cancellation request and the unauthorized charge.

How to dispute a charge with your philippine bank

If Synthesia continues billing after you've cancelled, contact your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback (also called a disputed transaction claim). Provide:

• Your account statement showing the disputed charge.
• Screenshots of your cancellation confirmation from Synthesia.
• Email correspondence with Synthesia support proving you requested cancellation.
• The date you cancelled and the date the unauthorized charge appeared.

Your bank will investigate within 30 to 60 days and either reverse the charge or ask for more evidence. Keep all documentation organized until the dispute is resolved.

Common mistakes that lead to continued billing

Cancelling a subscription feels simple, but small oversights often lead to unwanted charges. You're not alone if this has happened to you-thousands of Synthesia users in the Philippines face the same trap.

Mistake 1: cancelling your payment method instead of the subscription

Some users delete their credit card from their Synthesia account thinking this will stop billing. It won't. Synthesia will attempt to charge you on your renewal date, fail because the card is deleted, and may suspend your account-but the charge still appears as a failed transaction or an invoice marked "pending." Always cancel the subscription itself, not just the payment method.

Mistake 2: assuming cancellation is instant and forgetting to confirm

Cancellation requests sometimes get lost in support queues, especially if you use email. Always request written confirmation with a specific cancellation date. If you don't receive confirmation within 48 hours, follow up immediately. Don't assume silence means the cancellation went through.

Mistake 3: not checking your bank statement for a full billing cycle

After you cancel, monitor your bank account for the next 60 days. Some companies attempt one or two final charges even after you've cancelled-either as invoicing delays or system errors. Catch unauthorized charges early and dispute them before the 60-day bank dispute window closes.

Mistake 4: forgetting to download your content before the access window closes

Once your paid period ends, Synthesia's read-only access may expire within 48 to 72 hours. If you need your videos or projects after cancellation, download them on or before your cancellation date. After the access window closes, recovering your content becomes expensive or impossible.

Pricing comparison: synthesia vs. alternatives

If cost is your reason for cancelling, you might explore cheaper or free AI video tools before you go. This table compares Synthesia to three direct alternatives available in the Philippines:

If you're cancelling Synthesia due to cost, consider downgrading to the Starter plan first to test whether a cheaper tier meets your needs. Downgrading is simpler than cancelling and leaves the door open to upgrade later if you need more minutes or features.

Your cancellation checklist for synthesia

Use this checklist to ensure you've covered every step and won't face unwanted charges:

• Account prep: Screenshot your current plan, note the renewal date, and record your account email.
• Content backup: Download all videos, personal avatars, and project files to your computer.
• Cancellation method: Choose dashboard cancellation or live chat, complete the process, and take screenshots.
• Confirmation request: Ask the support agent (in writing) for the cancellation date, whether billing will stop, and when access expires.
• Save proof: Email confirmation, chat screenshots, reference numbers-keep everything organized in a folder.
• Monitor billing: Check your bank statement weekly for the next 60 days for any unexpected charges from Synthesia or its payment processor.
• Dispute if needed: If you're charged after cancellation, contact your bank within 60 days with your cancellation proof.

How to contact synthesia for cancellation support

If you need direct support from Synthesia to cancel your subscription, here's where to reach them:

Email support: support@synthesia.io (email support available 24/7; response usually within 24 to 48 hours)

Live chat: Available in your Synthesia dashboard (bottom-right corner) when you're logged in; live agents available around the clock

Cancellation address (registered office): Synthesia's legal entity is registered in London, UK, but your cancellation request will be processed through the support channels above. If you require formal notice, address it to Synthesia's registered office and request delivery confirmation.

When you contact them, always include your account email, current plan name, and a clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my subscription effective [date]. Please confirm receipt and provide a cancellation reference number."

Next steps: getting your refund and staying protected

Once Synthesia has confirmed your cancellation, your work isn't finished. Monitor your account for 60 days after the cancellation date to ensure no further charges appear. If an unexpected charge does appear, gather your proof and file a dispute with your bank immediately.

If Synthesia refuses to cancel or continues billing despite your request, don't hesitate to escalate. File a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) by visiting dti.gov.ph or visiting your local DTI office. Provide copies of your cancellation emails, screenshots, and bank statements. The DTI takes subscription disputes seriously and can pressure companies to refund unauthorized charges.

Cancelling a subscription in the Philippines doesn't have to be stressful or risky. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers in your situation navigate the cancellation process step by step, protect their money, and hold subscription companies accountable. By following this guide and staying organized with your documentation, you're already ahead. If you hit resistance from Synthesia, remember that the Consumer Act of the Philippines is on your side-and organizations like the DTI exist to enforce it. You have the power here. Take it back.