Manage Scrimba

How to cancel scrimba and protect your money in south africa

What scrimba is and why you might want to leave

Scrimba is an interactive online coding platform designed for self-directed learners who want to master web development, JavaScript, HTML, CSS and modern frameworks. The platform combines video lessons with a built-in code editor, so you can learn and practice without switching between applications.

Most learners who sign up are beginners or career-switchers looking for structured, hands-on training. Paid plans unlock bootcamp programs, advanced courses and direct mentor support. The platform has earned strong ratings for its interactive approach, but many South African users report unexpected renewal charges, delayed customer service responses and confusion around refund timelines. If you've decided Scrimba isn't right for you, or if you've been charged unexpectedly, you have clear legal pathways to cancel and claim your money back. Stopee is here to guide you through every step.

Common reasons to cancel scrimba

• Unexpected or automatic renewal charges without clear advance notice
• Course content doesn't match your learning level or goals
• You've completed the courses you needed and don't require ongoing access
• Annual subscription cost is no longer affordable
• You prefer other learning platforms or have enrolled elsewhere
• Customer support response times don't meet your expectations

Your consumer rights in south africa

South African law protects you when you cancel online subscriptions. Understanding your rights is the first step to cancelling with confidence.

Protection under the consumer protection act

The South African Consumer Protection Act (CPA) gives you the right to cancel certain distance contracts (including online subscriptions) within 14 calendar days of purchase, without penalty or reason. This cooling-off period applies to most digital services, including coding education platforms. You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel during this window, provided you have not substantially used the service.

Even if Scrimba's own terms offer only a 7-day refund window, the CPA's 14-day right exists independently and may override Scrimba's published policy. Additionally, if Scrimba charged you without your explicit, informed consent (such as a surprise annual renewal), the CPA may entitle you to a refund regardless of how many days have passed.

Your rights after 14 days

If you cancel after 14 days, Scrimba's stated refund policy applies: full refunds within 7 days of purchase for web subscriptions, and a 14-day money-back guarantee for bootcamp programs. However, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) can intervene if Scrimba refuses a legitimate refund request or if you can demonstrate the service was not fit for purpose or did not meet advertised claims.

How to cancel scrimba step by step

Cancellation depends on where you purchased your subscription. Follow the method that matches your payment source.

Cancel via the scrimba website (direct billing)

If you signed up and pay directly through Scrimba's website, use this method to cancel immediately.

1. Open your web browser and go to Scrimba.com
2. Sign in with your email address and password
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset email
3. Click on your profile icon or account menu (usually top-right of the page)
4. Select "Settings" or "Account Settings"
5. Navigate to the "Subscriptions" or "Billing" tab
6. Locate your active subscription plan
   • You will see the plan name (e.g. Scrimba Pro), the amount you pay, and the next billing date
7. Click the "Cancel" button or the "X" icon next to your active subscription
   • Some versions show "Manage Subscription" - click that first, then select "Cancel Subscription"
8. Confirm your cancellation when prompted
   • Scrimba may ask why you're cancelling - you can skip this or provide feedback
   • You will receive an on-screen confirmation message
9. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Scrimba within 5-10 minutes
   • Pro tip: Save this email - you'll need it as proof if you later dispute a charge or request a refund

Warning: Cancelling does not delete your account. You retain read-only access to your profile and learning history. If you want to delete your account entirely (including all personal data), you must submit a separate data deletion request to Scrimba's support team.

Cancel via apple app store (iOS)

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, Apple handles your billing and cancellation. Scrimba cannot process this refund directly.

1. On your Apple device, open the "Settings" app
2. Tap your name at the top (your Apple ID profile)
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find "Scrimba" in the list of active subscriptions
5. Tap on "Scrimba"
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription" (red text)
   • If you see "Manage Subscription" or "Edit Subscription" instead, tap that first, then look for the cancel option
7. Confirm by tapping "Confirm Cancellation"
8. You will see "Subscriptions Cancelled" on screen
9. Check your email for a cancellation receipt from Apple within a few minutes

Pro tip: Apple refunds are processed by Apple, not Scrimba. If you cancel within 14 days of your first charge and believe you deserve a refund (not just a cancellation), contact Apple Support directly and reference the CPA's 14-day cooling-off period. Save the transaction ID from your App Store receipt.

Cancel via google play store (Android)

If you subscribed via Google Play on an Android phone or tablet, Google manages your billing and refunds, not Scrimba.

1. Open the "Google Play Store" app on your Android device
2. Tap your profile icon (top-right)
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions"
4. Tap "Subscriptions"
5. Find and tap "Scrimba"
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription"
7. Confirm by following the on-screen prompt
   • Google may ask for feedback - this is optional
8. You will see a confirmation message and receive an email from Google

Warning: Google Play refunds are handled by Google, not Scrimba. If you want to request a refund (rather than just cancel), go to Google Play > Account > Order History > find the Scrimba charge > tap "Report a problem" and select your reason. Google will decide within a few days whether to refund you.

What happens immediately after cancellation

Cancellation and access are two different things. Understanding the difference helps you avoid surprises.

Your access timeline after cancelling

When you cancel a Scrimba subscription, you do not lose access immediately. Instead, your access continues until the end of your current paid billing period (your paid term). This means:

• If you pay monthly and cancel on the 5th, you keep access until the end of that month
• If you pay annually and cancel in month 3, you keep access until month 12
• You can continue to view courses, complete projects and use the in-browser code editor for the full remaining period
• No refund is issued for unused time (unless you qualify under the 7-day or 14-day refund windows)

After your paid term ends, your account downgrades to the free tier automatically. You will lose access to paid courses and bootcamp materials, but you can still view free lessons.

What you should do now

• Screenshot or export any course notes, code projects or certificates you want to keep
• Note your cancellation date and the end-of-access date from your confirmation email
• Add the access end-date to your calendar as a reminder
• Check your next bank statement to confirm no charge appears after your access expires

Refunds: when you get your money back

Scrimba offers refunds under specific conditions. Stopee has helped thousands of users navigate refund timelines and claim money they were entitled to.

7-day refund window (web purchases)

If you purchased Scrimba Pro directly through the website, you can request a full refund within 7 days of your initial purchase. This applies to the first charge only, not to subsequent monthly or annual renewals.

• Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 7-10 business days of approval
• You are limited to one refund per account
• Scrimba may deny a refund if you have substantially used the service (downloaded extensive course materials, completed many projects, etc.)

14-day bootcamp guarantee

If you enrolled in a Scrimba bootcamp program, you have a 14-day money-back guarantee from your purchase date. This is more generous than the standard 7-day policy and reflects the higher cost of bootcamp programs.

• You can request a full refund within 14 days, even if you've started lessons
• Refunds are credited to your original payment method
• This guarantee applies to bootcamp purchases only, not to Pro subscriptions or course bundles

App store and google play refunds

If you subscribed via Apple or Google, those companies process refunds independently. Scrimba does not handle these refunds directly. You must request refunds through Apple or Google using their own systems.

• Apple: Go to App Store > Account > Purchase History > find Scrimba charge > tap the three dots > select "Report a Problem" > choose "I'd like a refund"
• Google: Go to Google Play > Account > Order History > tap "Report a problem" next to the Scrimba charge
• Both Apple and Google typically process refunds within 5-10 business days

Refunds beyond the stated windows

If Scrimba charged you without clear consent (such as a surprise renewal you didn't authorise), or if the service was not fit for purpose, you may be entitled to a refund even after 7 or 14 days. The CPA's cooling-off period may apply. Document your complaint and contact Scrimba's support team with evidence of the unauthorised charge. If Scrimba refuses, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC).

Scrimba pricing in south africa

Exact ZAR prices are dynamic and depend on your location at checkout. Here is what you need to know.

How pricing works

Scrimba uses region-based pricing, which means the amount you pay in South African Rand (ZAR) is set at the moment of checkout. Prices are not displayed publicly without signing in from South Africa. To see your exact price, you must log in to a Scrimba account while located in South Africa or accessing the site via a South African IP address.

How to find your local price

• Sign in to your Scrimba account from South Africa
• Navigate to the pricing or subscription page
• Your local ZAR price will display at checkout
• If you need exact pricing without signing up, email Scrimba support and provide your location - they will quote you in ZAR

Pro tip: annual plans are typically discounted 30-40% compared to paying monthly. If you're committed to learning, the annual option saves money. However, pay monthly if you're unsure, so you can cancel and request a refund within the 7-day window with less financial risk.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation mistakes can delay your access loss, prevent refunds and leave you open to unexpected charges. Learn from the thousands of users who have made these errors so you don't repeat them.

Not confirming cancellation in writing

Some users cancel through the website and assume they're done, but then are surprised by a charge the following month. Always wait for an email confirmation from Scrimba. Take a screenshot of the on-screen confirmation and the email receipt. Without written proof, customer support will make you repeat the cancellation process.

Cancelling on one device but not others

If you use Scrimba on both web and mobile, cancelling through the website does not automatically cancel your app subscription. You must cancel separately on each platform:

• Web cancellation does not cancel your Apple or Google subscription
• Cancelling on iOS does not cancel your Android app or web subscription
• Always cancel on every platform where you have an active subscription

Forgetting to claim your refund

Cancelling is not the same as requesting a refund. Within 7 days of purchase, you must separately submit a refund request to Scrimba support. If you cancel but never request the refund, Scrimba will not offer one automatically. Email support immediately with your order date, amount and reason for the refund request.

Paying for annual renewal and then cancelling

If your subscription renews on an annual cycle and you've just been charged, you have 7 days to request a full refund. Mark your calendar for day 7 and submit your refund request immediately. Waiting even one day past the 7-day window means Scrimba can refuse to refund you (though CPA rights may still apply).

Ignoring unexpected charges

Some South African users report being charged without clear advance notice. If you see a charge you don't recognise:

• Do not ignore it
• Email Scrimba support immediately with the charge date and amount
• Request cancellation and a refund in the same email
• Keep records of all email exchanges
• If Scrimba refuses, escalate to your bank or credit card company for a chargeback dispute

What stopee users are saying: real experiences

Stopee has documented feedback from South African Scrimba users. Here's what you should know about the platform based on real experiences.

Positive feedback

• The interactive in-browser code editor is intuitive and well-designed, even for absolute beginners
• Video lessons are short, focused and easy to follow without getting lost
• Users consistently praise the ability to pause videos and edit code simultaneously
• High ratings across independent review platforms (4.5/5 average)
• Some users report that Scrimba support resolved refund requests once they provided clear documentation

Negative feedback and warnings

• Unexpected or automatic annual renewals without sufficient advance notice - users report charges appearing without clear reminders
• Customer support response times can be slow, with some users waiting 5-7 days for replies
• Limited advanced content beyond beginner level for some topics (such as backend development)
• Some users felt pushed toward expensive bootcamp programs with aggressive in-app prompts
• A pattern of complaints about refunds being delayed or initially refused before escalation
• No local South African customer support phone line - all contact must go through email

Documentation checklist before you contact support

If you need to contact Scrimba support to dispute a charge, request a refund or cancel, gather these documents first. Having them ready speeds up the process and protects your claim.

Essential documents

• Your Scrimba account email address and username
• Your original purchase receipt or invoice (check your email, your account, or your payment method's transaction history)
• The charge date and amount in ZAR
• The payment method you used (credit card, debit card, PayPal, etc.)
• Screenshots of any on-screen cancellation confirmations you received
• Cancellation confirmation emails from Scrimba or Apple/Google
• Dates of any previous communications with Scrimba support (if applicable)
• A brief explanation of why you're requesting the refund (within 7-day window, unexpected charge, service not fit for purpose, etc.)

Once you have these, compose a clear email to Scrimba support stating your request, attach the documents, and send. Stopee recommends keeping copies of all email exchanges in a folder on your computer or cloud storage for your records.

Key points to remember

Cancelling Scrimba is straightforward, but protecting your money requires awareness of your rights and timelines. Here's the summary:

How to escalate if scrimba refuses to help

If you've requested a refund or disputed a charge and Scrimba's support team refuses or ignores you, South Africa has formal consumer protection mechanisms. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate these pathways successfully.

Step 1: formal written complaint to scrimba

Send a registered letter or email to Scrimba's support address (see below) with the subject line "Formal Refund Request and Complaint." Include all your documentation and state clearly that you are invoking your rights under the South African Consumer Protection Act. Give Scrimba 10 business days to respond with a resolution.

Step 2: escalate to the national consumer commission

If Scrimba does not respond or refuses your claim, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC is the government body responsible for enforcing consumer protection law in South Africa. You can file a complaint online at www.ncc.org.za or by post. The NCC will investigate at no cost to you and can compel Scrimba to refund your money.

Step 3: dispute the charge with your bank

If your subscription was charged to a credit card or debit card, you can also request a chargeback dispute directly with your bank. Provide your bank with proof of your cancellation request and refund claim. Most South African banks will reverse fraudulent or disputed charges within 30 days.

Scrimba contact details

For billing inquiries, refund requests and subscription cancellations that you cannot resolve through the website:

• Email support: Contact Scrimba support through their website's contact form or support email (check your account or receipt for the current address)
• Response time: Expect 3-7 business days for a reply
• Escalation: If support does not respond within 7 days, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission

Stopee recommends always sending critical communications (refund requests, formal complaints) via email or registered mail so you have proof of the date and content. Phone calls leave no record and can lead to disputes.

Your next steps

You now have a complete roadmap for cancelling Scrimba, understanding your refund rights and escalating if you encounter problems. Stopee exists to ensure you're never left confused or unprotected when you cancel. Whether you're cancelling because the platform doesn't fit your learning style, you've found a better alternative, or you've been unexpectedly charged, you have clear legal rights under South African law.

Use the step-by-step cancellation guides above to cancel immediately. Save your confirmation email. If you qualify for a refund, submit your request within the 7-day or 14-day window - do not wait. And remember: if Scrimba refuses, the National Consumer Commission is there to support you at no cost. Stopee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel subscriptions and recover money they shouldn't have lost. Your cancellation is just a few clicks away, and your consumer rights are backed by law.