Manage Gurufocus

How to cancel GuruFocus and protect your investment research budget

What is GuruFocus and why investors use it

GuruFocus is a subscription-based platform built for investors who want deep, data-driven research tools. The service combines stock screening, financial analysis, portfolio tracking, and value-investing resources in one place.

South African investors use GuruFocus to analyse company fundamentals, track historical market data, and make informed decisions about their portfolios. Your subscription unlocks advanced tools depending on which plan you choose, but cancelling is straightforward if the service no longer fits your needs.

Core features and what you get

GuruFocus aggregates real-time financial datasets and screening tools aimed at individual investors and professionals. Users access company fundamentals, historical price data, valuation metrics, and portfolio management features. The platform's value lies in filtering and analysing large volumes of market information quickly, saving you research time.

Who should and shouldn't keep GuruFocus

Keep GuruFocus if you're an active trader, value investor, or portfolio manager who regularly analyses company fundamentals and needs reliable screening tools. Cancel if you've moved to passive investing, no longer have time to research individual stocks, or find the pricing doesn't justify the value for your investment style.

Your consumer rights under south african law

Before you cancel, understand your legal protections. South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) gives you strong rights that matter when dealing with subscription services.

What the consumer protection act guarantees you

The CPA protects you against unfair contract terms, hidden fees, and misleading information. You have the right to clear, upfront disclosure of all subscription costs, cancellation terms, and conditions before you commit. Suppliers must show you contract terms in plain language, not buried in dense legal text.

If GuruFocus fails to honour your cancellation within their stated timeframe, or if they continue billing after you've cancelled, the CPA gives you grounds to escalate complaints to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). You also have the right to dispute charges that don't match what you agreed to.

Escalation pathways if GuruFocus refuses to cancel

If GuruFocus doesn't respond to your cancellation request within 24 hours (their stated timeline), or if they keep charging you after cancellation, contact the National Consumer Commission. Document every message you send and every response (or lack thereof) you receive from GuruFocus.

For billing disputes, your bank may also help reverse unauthorised or erroneous charges through a chargeback process. Keep records of your cancellation request and any confirmation numbers GuruFocus provides.

Cancellation methods by subscription type

How you cancel GuruFocus depends on where you bought your subscription. The process differs for direct web subscriptions versus platform-based subscriptions through Apple or Google.

Cancel a direct web subscription (GuruFocus website)

If you subscribed directly through GuruFocus's website, you'll cancel through their contact system.

1. Visit the GuruFocus website and locate the "Contact Us" form (usually in the footer or help section)
2. Create a new ticket and specify that you want to cancel your subscription
   • Include your full name, email address, and the email associated with your GuruFocus account
   • State your cancellation reason if prompted, but you don't have to justify your decision
3. Submit your cancellation request and save the confirmation or ticket number
4. GuruFocus will process your cancellation within 24 hours and send you a confirmation email
5. Check your email (including spam folders) for the cancellation confirmation within one business day

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of your submitted cancellation form and the ticket number. This protects you if there's any dispute later about whether you cancelled.

Cancel an apple subscription

If you subscribed to GuruFocus through Apple (iOS app or iTunes), you must cancel through your Apple ID settings, not through GuruFocus directly.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find GuruFocus in the list of active subscriptions
5. Tap "GuruFocus" and then select "Cancel Subscription"
   • Apple will ask why you're cancelling; this is optional feedback
   • Confirm the cancellation when prompted
6. Apple sends you a cancellation confirmation email; keep this as proof

Warning: If you delete the GuruFocus app without cancelling your subscription first, your subscription continues and you'll keep being charged. Cancel before deleting the app.

Cancel a google play subscription

If you subscribed through Google Play (Android), cancel through the Google Play Store app or website, not through GuruFocus.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device (or visit play.google.com on a browser)
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions" then "Subscriptions"
4. Tap "GuruFocus" from your active subscriptions list
5. Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm your decision
   • Google will display your current billing date and final charge date
6. You'll receive a confirmation email from Google; save this

Pro tip: Google Play subscriptions usually stop immediately when you cancel, but your access may continue until the end of your paid period (depending on your plan). Check your confirmation email for the exact end date.

What happens after you cancel GuruFocus

Cancellation doesn't mean instant loss of access. Understanding what happens next helps you avoid surprise billing and plan your transition to other tools.

Your access timeline after cancellation

After you cancel, your GuruFocus access continues until the end of your current paid billing period. If you're mid-month or mid-year, you keep full access until that period ends. You won't be charged again after that final billing period, even if you don't explicitly confirm the cancellation a second time.

If you cancelled during a free trial before the trial ended, no charge appears on your account because you never entered a paid period. This is one of GuruFocus's key protections for new users.

Auto-renewal stops after cancellation

Once you cancel, GuruFocus will not auto-renew your subscription. Your subscription is dead; there's no automatic renewal unless you manually resubscribe. For direct web subscriptions, GuruFocus should email you a cancellation confirmation stating that auto-renewal is switched off.

For Apple and Google subscriptions, those platforms handle auto-renewal management. Confirm in your Apple ID or Google Play settings that GuruFocus no longer appears under active subscriptions.

Verify cancellation with stopee's checklist approach

Don't assume cancellation is complete without proof. Stopee recommends you take these verification steps within 48 hours of cancelling:

• Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from GuruFocus or Apple/Google
• Log into your GuruFocus account and verify your subscription status shows "cancelled"
• Check your Apple ID or Google Play settings to confirm GuruFocus is no longer listed as an active subscription
• Monitor your bank statement or credit card for the next 2-3 billing cycles to ensure no charges appear

Refunds and what you're entitled to

GuruFocus has specific refund rules depending on your subscription type and how long you've been a member. Understanding these rules helps you decide whether cancellation or a refund is your best option.

Refunds for direct web subscriptions

GuruFocus offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. If you cancel before the trial ends, you pay nothing. This is the clearest refund scenario and requires no dispute.

Paid subscribers who cancel within the first 6 months may receive a pro-rated refund on their most recent payment. A pro-rated refund means you get back a portion of your last payment based on how many days of unused access you're giving up. However, monthly plans do not receive refunds even within the first 6 months.

Subscribers who cancel after 6 months of membership are not eligible for refunds under standard terms. This applies to most annual or longer-term subscribers.

Warning: Some third-party websites claim GuruFocus offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This is unverified and contradicts their official terms of service. Don't rely on a 30-day guarantee; Stopee advises you to contact GuruFocus directly if you think you qualify for an exception.

Refunds for apple and google subscriptions

Apple and Google manage refunds for subscriptions purchased through their platforms. GuruFocus doesn't control these refunds directly. If you want a refund for an Apple or Google subscription, request it through Apple Support or Google Play support, not through GuruFocus.

Both platforms allow refund requests if you cancel within 48 hours of your first charge (for new subscriptions). After 48 hours, refund eligibility depends on the reason and how long you've been subscribed. Approach Apple or Google first; they're more likely to approve a refund than GuruFocus would.

Processing fees and exceptions

GuruFocus may deduct processing fees from refunds. Ask for a full itemisation of any deductions before you accept a partial refund. If the deduction seems unreasonable, cite the CPA's requirement for fair contract terms and escalate to the National Consumer Commission.

GuruFocus pricing in south africa

Pricing for GuruFocus varies by plan and region. Below is what we know about available plans, though exact ZAR rates should be confirmed directly with GuruFocus.

Current plan options and costs

Pro tip: Contact GuruFocus directly through their website to request updated ZAR pricing for South Africa. Exchange rates fluctuate, and pricing may have changed since this guide was published.

Common mistakes that lead to failed cancellations

Cancellation should be simple, but small mistakes can leave you still paying for a service you no longer use. Here are the pitfalls Stopee sees most often.

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling

Removing the GuruFocus app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your subscription is tied to your account, not your device. Deleting the app is invisible to GuruFocus's billing system, and charges continue. Always cancel your subscription before uninstalling the app.

Mistake 2: not saving your cancellation confirmation

If you cancel without recording proof (ticket number, email confirmation, or screenshot), you have no evidence if GuruFocus later claims you're still subscribed. Save every confirmation email and screenshot every cancellation form you submit. This is your protection if a dispute arises.

Mistake 3: cancelling through the wrong channel

If you subscribed through Apple, cancelling through GuruFocus's website won't work. Your subscription lives in Apple's system, and only Apple can cancel it. Stopee advises checking your email receipt from your first charge to confirm where you subscribed, then cancel through that same platform.

Mistake 4: assuming the free trial doesn't auto-renew

Free trials do auto-renew unless you cancel before the trial expires. Many users assume a free trial ends automatically and then get hit with a surprise charge. Mark your calendar for day 6 of your free trial and cancel that day if you don't want to convert to a paid subscription.

Comparing GuruFocus with alternatives

Before you cancel, consider whether another platform might serve your investment research better. This comparison helps you decide.

GuruFocus versus competitors

Your cancellation checklist

Use this step-by-step checklist to ensure you've cancelled GuruFocus properly and won't face unexpected charges.

• Identify where you subscribed (GuruFocus website, Apple, or Google Play)
• Submit your cancellation request through the correct channel
• Save your cancellation confirmation number or screenshot
• Receive and archive the confirmation email within 24 hours
• Verify your subscription status shows "cancelled" in your account
• Check Apple ID or Google Play settings (if applicable) to confirm GuruFocus is no longer listed
• Monitor your next 2-3 billing cycles for unexpected charges
• Contact GuruFocus again if any charges appear after the final billing date

How stopee helps you cancel with confidence

Cancelling a subscription shouldn't involve stress, confusion, or mystery charges. Stopee exists to guide you through every step and protect your rights as a South African consumer.

Whether you're cancelling GuruFocus because you've found a better tool, lost interest in active stock picking, or simply need to trim your subscriptions, Stopee walks you through exactly what to do, what to watch for, and how to hold companies accountable if they don't follow through.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions by providing clear, step-by-step instructions tailored to each service's specific cancellation process. Visit Stopee.com to explore cancellation guides for other services, access your consumer rights, and find templates for dispute letters if a company refuses to cancel or keeps charging you unlawfully.

Contact GuruFocus directly if cancellation stalls

If GuruFocus doesn't acknowledge your cancellation within 24 hours, or if you continue to be charged after your final billing period, contact them using the details below.

GuruFocus customer support and cancellation address

Submit all cancellation requests via their online "Contact Us" form at GuruFocus.com. Include your full name, account email, and request reference number in the subject line. GuruFocus commits to a 24-hour response time; if you don't hear back, escalate to the National Consumer Commission with copies of your original cancellation request and proof that GuruFocus failed to respond within their stated timeframe.

For billing disputes, contact your bank or credit card issuer and request a chargeback if GuruFocus continues charging you after cancellation. Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation request and confirmation to strengthen your case.