Manage Udemy

How to cancel your udemy subscription and claim your refund

Understanding udemy and why you might cancel

Udemy is an online learning marketplace where you can purchase individual courses for lifetime access or subscribe to their Personal Plan for ongoing access to a catalog of thousands of courses. The platform serves learners worldwide, and billing varies depending on your location and whether you purchase directly or through an app store. If you've signed up for a Udemy subscription and now want to stop the charges, you have clear options, and Stopee is here to guide you through every step.

What udemy's subscription options look like

Udemy offers several purchasing models. The Personal Plan is their main subscription offering, available on monthly and annual billing cycles in most regions. You may also purchase individual courses as one-time purchases with lifetime access. Corporate accounts through Udemy for Business serve teams and enterprises with different features and billing structures. Understanding which product you own is your first step toward cancellation, so log into your account and check your purchase history.

Common reasons people cancel udemy

You might cancel for many legitimate reasons. An unexpected auto-renewal charge after a trial period is a frequent trigger. Others cancel because course content didn't match their expectations, they've completed what they needed, or they want to reduce monthly expenses. Some learners switch to another platform or gain access through an employer. Financial hardship and subscription overload also drive cancellations. Whatever your reason, you have the right to stop charges and potentially recover recent payments within Udemy's refund window.

Your consumer rights and what udemy must respect

The Federal Trade Commission Act, specifically the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA) and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, require companies like Udemy to clearly disclose subscription terms, billing frequency, and cancellation procedures before you pay. Udemy must also make it as easy for you to cancel as it was to sign up. You have the right to stop recurring charges at any time, and you may be entitled to refunds depending on the timing and circumstances of your purchase.

What the law says udemy must do

Under ROSCA and the FTC Act, Udemy is required to obtain your express informed consent before charging your payment method for a subscription renewal. They must clearly state the terms, price, and auto-renewal language before billing. They cannot hide cancellation behind multiple clicks or require you to call a phone number if an online option exists. If Udemy charged you without clear disclosure or failed to honor your cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe, you have grounds to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Your refund rights under udemy's policy

Udemy allows refunds for individual course purchases within 30 days of purchase if you have spent less than 2 hours on course content. For subscriptions to the Personal Plan, refund eligibility is more limited. If you cancel within 14 days of an auto-renewal charge, you may qualify for a refund of that charge. Refund decisions depend on your account history, the timing of your request, and whether you purchased directly or through an app store like Apple or Google Play. Stopee recommends acting quickly and documenting your refund request in writing to protect your claim.

How to cancel your udemy subscription step by step

Cancellation steps differ based on whether you subscribed directly to Udemy or through an app store, and whether you seek a refund or simply want to stop future charges.

Cancel directly on udemy's website

If you subscribed directly to Udemy through their website using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, follow these steps to stop future charges:

1. Log into your Udemy account at udemy.com using your email and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page.
2. Navigate to your account settings by clicking the profile icon in the top right corner.
   • Select "Account" or "Account settings" from the dropdown menu.
3. Scroll down to find the subscription section or billing and payment information.
   • Look for a section labeled "Subscriptions," "Memberships," or "Billing."
4. Click on "Manage subscription" or "View subscription details."
   • This may appear as a button next to your active Personal Plan subscription.
5. Select the option to "Cancel subscription" or "End subscription."
   • Udemy may show you a survey asking why you're leaving; completing it is optional but helps them improve.
6. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
   • Udemy will send you a confirmation email; save this for your records.

Pro tip: Cancel at least 48 hours before your next billing date to avoid an unexpected charge. Your access continues until the end of your current paid period, so cancelling early does not cut off your course access immediately.

Cancel a subscription purchased through apple or google play

If you subscribed to Udemy through an app store, Apple or Google processes the payment and subscription, not Udemy directly. You must cancel through the app store that charged you:

1. For Apple (iPhone or Mac):
   • Open the Settings app on your device.
   • Tap your name, then select "Subscriptions."
   • Find "Udemy" in the list and tap it.
   • Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
   • Apple will send a confirmation email to your Apple ID address.
2. For Google Play (Android):
   • Open the Google Play app and go to your account menu (tap your profile icon).
   • Select "Payments and subscriptions" then "Subscriptions."
   • Find "Udemy" and tap it.
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and follow the prompts.
   • Google will send a confirmation email to your Google account address.

Warning: If you cancel through the app but your Udemy account still shows an active subscription, contact Udemy support to ensure they've processed the cancellation. App store cancellations do not always immediately sync with Udemy's systems.

Request a refund on udemy

If you were recently charged and want to reclaim that payment, follow these steps within your refund window:

1. Log into your Udemy account and go to "Account settings."
2. Navigate to "Purchase history" or "Order history."
3. Find the subscription renewal charge you want to refund.
   • Look for the most recent charge from Udemy, typically labeled as "Personal Plan" or "Udemy subscription renewal."
4. Click on the charge and select "Request a refund" if that option appears.
   • You will see a form asking your reason for the refund request.
5. Explain your reason clearly and concisely.
   • If you were charged for an unwanted auto-renewal, state: "I did not authorize this charge and wish to cancel my subscription and receive a refund."
6. Submit your request and save the confirmation email Udemy sends you.
   • Udemy typically responds within 5 to 7 business days.

Pro tip: Act within 14 days of the charge for the strongest refund claim. Udemy is more likely to approve refunds for subscriptions when you request them quickly after an auto-renewal.

Contact udemy support if the self-service option fails

If the refund button does not appear in your purchase history or you encounter issues cancelling through account settings, escalate to Udemy's support team:

1. Visit Udemy's Help Center at support.udemy.com.
2. Click "Contact us" or use the chat bot labeled "Alex" to initiate a support ticket.
   • The chat bot will ask questions about your issue and may route you to email support.
3. Select the issue category "Billing and payments" or "Subscriptions."
4. Describe your situation: state whether you want to cancel your subscription and/or receive a refund.
   • Include the date of the charge and the amount.
   • Explain any auto-renewal or unauthorized billing issues clearly.
5. Submit your email ticket and note the ticket number Udemy provides.
   • Save all correspondence for your records.
6. Expect a response within 48 to 72 hours on weekdays.
   • If Udemy denies your refund without justification, escalate to the Federal Trade Commission as described below.

What happens after you cancel your udemy subscription

Once Udemy processes your cancellation request, several things occur. Your subscription will no longer renew, and future charges will stop. You retain access to courses you've already purchased individually for lifetime. However, access to Personal Plan course content expires at the end of your current billing period. If you have an active refund request, Udemy typically processes it within 5 to 10 business days, and the credit appears back on your original payment method.

Timeline for cancellation and refunds

Understanding the timing helps you plan your finances and avoid surprises:

Protecting your account after cancellation

After you cancel, monitor your bank or credit card statement to confirm no additional charges appear. Set a calendar reminder for 2 weeks after cancellation to verify the next expected charge date has passed. If an unexpected charge appears after cancellation, contact Udemy support and your payment processor immediately. Stopee recommends keeping all cancellation confirmation emails for at least one year in case you need to dispute a charge with your bank.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling udemy

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but many learners stumble by acting too quickly or missing key details. Here's what not to do:

Mistakes that cost you money and time

• Cancelling without requesting a refund first: If you were recently charged, cancel the subscription and file a separate refund request immediately. Cancelling alone stops future charges but does not recover past payments.
• Cancelling through the app but not on the website: Cancelling via an app store does not always sync with Udemy's systems. Verify your subscription status on udemy.com after cancelling through Apple or Google.
• Missing the 14-day refund window: Udemy's refund window for subscription renewals is strictly enforced. If you wait more than 14 days after a charge, you forfeit your refund eligibility in most cases.
• Not saving your confirmation emails: If a dispute arises, you need proof of your cancellation and refund request. Screenshots and confirmation emails are your evidence.
• Assuming course access disappears immediately: Your Personal Plan access continues until the end of the current billing period. If you cancel a monthly subscription on the 5th and your next billing date is the 15th, you keep access for 10 more days.
• Ignoring notifications about auto-renewal trials: If Udemy offered you a trial and you did not disable auto-renewal before the trial ended, your subscription converts to paid. Set phone reminders before trials expire to cancel if you don't want the paid plan.

Your escalation path if udemy refuses to help

Udemy should honor cancellation and refund requests within their stated policy. If they refuse without legitimate reason or ignore your cancellation request, escalate through consumer protection channels. Stopee advises documenting everything: dates, charge amounts, cancellation requests, and all email correspondence.

File a complaint with the federal trade commission

The Federal Trade Commission enforces the FTC Act and ROSCA against unfair or deceptive billing practices. If Udemy has charged you without authorization, made cancellation difficult, or refused a justified refund, file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include your Udemy account email, the dates and amounts of disputed charges, copies of all support tickets and emails, and a clear description of what went wrong. The FTC investigates and may take action against Udemy if they find a pattern of violations.

Dispute the charge with your payment processor

If Udemy won't refund an unauthorized or disputed charge, your bank or credit card company can help. Contact your payment processor and initiate a chargeback or dispute for "unauthorized billing" or "refused refund." Provide documentation of your cancellation request and Udemy's response (or non-response). Your bank typically has 60 to 90 days to investigate and may issue a provisional credit while they investigate. Stopee recommends this as a last resort, after you've exhausted Udemy's support process, because chargebacks can close your Udemy account.

Checklist: cancellation and refund steps

Use this checklist to keep track of your cancellation:

Why stopee is your trusted cancellation partner

Subscription platforms can be confusing, and their cancellation processes are often deliberately complicated. Stopee exists to cut through that confusion and empower you to take control of your money and your subscriptions. Our guides walk you through every step of cancelling Udemy, whether you purchased directly or through an app store. We flag dark patterns, explain your consumer rights, and show you exactly what to say when you contact support. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover refunds, and avoid future charges. Whatever your situation with Udemy, Stopee is here to back you up with clear, actionable advice.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling your Udemy subscription is straightforward when you know the process. Log into your account, navigate to subscription settings, click "Cancel subscription," and confirm. If you were recently charged, request a refund within 14 days through your purchase history. For app store subscriptions, cancel through Apple or Google Play. If Udemy's self-service options don't work, contact their support team through the Help Center chat or email. Save every confirmation email and monitor your payment method to ensure no further charges occur. If Udemy refuses a justified refund, escalate to the Federal Trade Commission. You have rights as a consumer, and Stopee is committed to helping you exercise them. For more guidance on this or other subscriptions you want to cancel, visit stopee.com and explore our complete library of cancellation guides.