Cancel Monstercat: The Right Way

How to cancel your Monstercat subscription and protect your rights as a new zealand consumer

What Monstercat is and why you might want to cancel

Monstercat is an independent electronic music label and subscription service built for content creators who need claim-safe, royalty-friendly music for videos, streams, and creative projects. The platform's Gold membership gives you access to downloadable tracks, creator-friendly licensing, shop discounts, early access to releases, and a global community of music producers.

If you've signed up for Monstercat Gold and now want to step back, switch services, or simply reassess your spending, you have clear rights as a New Zealand consumer. Tocancel is here to walk you through your cancellation options and explain exactly what protections New Zealand law gives you.

Gold membership features and typical costs

Monstercat Gold typically costs between NZD $7 and NZD $10 per month, depending on promotional offers. Your subscription includes claim-safe music for monetized videos (no copyright strikes), unlimited downloads to your device, exclusive merchandise discounts, early access to new music releases, and access to their creator community. For many New Zealand creators, these features justify the cost. For others, the service no longer fits their workflow, budget, or creative direction.

Why creators cancel Monstercat subscriptions

Common reasons include switching to alternative music libraries, reducing subscription expenses, finding the music catalogue no longer matches your content style, or discovering competing services with better pricing or licensing terms. Whatever your reason, your right to cancel is absolute. You do not need permission, and you do not owe Monstercat an explanation.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

Before you cancel, understand the legal protections that apply to your subscription.

The consumer guarantees act protects digital subscriptions

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, every service you purchase in New Zealand must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered with reasonable care and skill. This law applies to digital services and subscriptions, not just physical goods. If Monstercat Gold fails to deliver claim-safe music, or if licensing terms change without notice, you have legal grounds to complain and request a refund or compensation.

The Act also requires that any statements about the service (such as "royalty-free," "copyright-safe," or "safe for monetization") are accurate and not misleading. If you signed up based on false claims about what the service includes, you can escalate a complaint with confidence.

The fair trading act and your right to clear information

The Fair Trading Act 1986 protects you from misleading or deceptive conduct by businesses. This means Monstercat must clearly disclose cancellation policies, renewal terms, billing cycles, and any automatic charges. If the cancellation process is deliberately hidden, unclear, or unusually difficult, that conduct may breach the Fair Trading Act. Your legal position is strong if you can show the company made cancellation unnecessarily hard.

How to escalate if Monstercat breaches your rights

If Monstercat fails to deliver what it promised, misrepresents the service, or refuses to process a legitimate cancellation, follow this escalation path: first, contact Monstercat directly with your complaint in writing (email is acceptable). Keep copies of all correspondence. If they do not respond within 10 working days or refuse to help, contact your local Community Law Centre or Citizens' Advice Bureau for free guidance. For disputes under NZD $30,000, the Disputes Tribunal offers a low-cost resolution pathway. You can also lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission if you believe Monstercat has engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct.

Tocancel recommends keeping records of all emails, screenshots of subscription features, billing statements, and notes about when the service failed to meet expectations. These documents are your strongest evidence if you need to escalate.

Where to find your subscription and cancellation method

The method you use to cancel depends entirely on where you originally purchased your Monstercat Gold subscription. Monstercat operates three separate subscription pathways, and using the wrong cancellation method will leave your subscription active.

How to identify your subscription type

Log into your Monstercat account at monstercat.com and navigate to your account settings or dashboard. Look for a section labeled "Gold Subscription," "Subscription Status," or "Billing." If you see a "Manage Subscription" button that links to Monstercat's own billing portal, you subscribed directly through their website. If that button is absent, grayed out, or missing entirely, you subscribed via Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or another third-party platform. This distinction is critical because each pathway requires a different cancellation process.

The three cancellation pathways explained

Direct Monstercat subscriptions are managed through their own billing system and cancelled from your Monstercat account settings. Apple App Store subscriptions (iOS and Mac) are cancelled through your Apple ID and account settings, not through Monstercat. Google Play Store subscriptions (Android) are cancelled through your Google Play account, also not through Monstercat. If you cancel in the wrong place, your subscription will continue to charge, and you will need to contact support to recover the unauthorised charges.

How to cancel your Monstercat subscription step by step

Follow the exact cancellation process for your subscription type. Each pathway takes fewer than 5 minutes to complete.

Cancelling a direct Monstercat subscription

1. Log into your Monstercat account at monstercat.com using your email address and password.
2. Navigate to your account settings or profile menu (usually found in the top-right corner of the website).
3. Look for "Subscription," "Gold Subscription," "Billing," or "Manage Subscription" in the menu options.
4. Click on the subscription management section.
   • If you see your current subscription plan displayed, look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Downgrade" button.
   • If the button is labeled "Manage," click it to open your subscription details.
5. Click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your cancellation. Monstercat will ask for a reason (optional), but you do not have to provide one.
6. You will receive an immediate confirmation email. Check your email inbox and spam folder for this confirmation within 5 minutes.
7. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged after that date.

Cancelling an apple app store subscription

1. On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the Settings app (iPhone/iPad) or System Settings (Mac).
2. Tap or click your name at the top of the screen to access your Apple ID account.
   • On iPhone: Tap "Apple ID" at the top, then "Subscriptions."
   • On Mac: Click "Subscriptions" in the sidebar.
3. Look for "Monstercat" in your active subscriptions list.
4. Tap or click on the Monstercat subscription entry.
5. Tap or click "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
6. Confirm your cancellation. Apple will ask why you are cancelling (optional).
7. You will receive an immediate confirmation from Apple. Your Monstercat Gold access will end at the end of your current billing period.

Cancelling a google play store subscription

1. On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Payments and Subscriptions," then "Subscriptions."
4. Find "Monstercat" in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap on the Monstercat subscription entry.
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
7. Confirm your cancellation. Google will ask why you are leaving (optional response).
8. You will receive an immediate confirmation email from Google Play. Your subscription will terminate at the end of your current billing cycle.

What happens after you cancel your Monstercat subscription

Understanding what changes after cancellation helps you plan your transition to another service or music library.

Your access and remaining benefits

After you cancel, your Gold membership will remain active until the end of your current billing period (usually 30 days). You can continue to download music and access community features during this time. On the renewal date, your access will automatically terminate. Monstercat will not charge you further. You will lose access to claim-safe downloads, early releases, and shop discounts after your final billing date, but you will retain any music you have already downloaded to your device.

Requesting a refund if you were charged incorrectly

If Monstercat charged you after you cancelled, or if you were charged multiple times in error, you have a right to a refund. Contact Monstercat support immediately and explain the double charge or post-cancellation charge. Provide screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and your bank statement showing the unexpected charge. Monstercat typically refunds unauthorised or erroneous charges within 5-10 working days. If they refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission or contact your bank to dispute the transaction. Your bank can freeze or reverse the charge if Monstercat fails to cooperate.

Refund policy and timing for new zealand consumers

Monstercat's refund terms apply under New Zealand consumer law, which requires transparency and fairness.

When you are entitled to a refund

You are entitled to a refund if you cancel before your billing date and no charges have been processed since your cancellation. If Monstercat has already charged you for a new billing period after you cancelled, they must refund that charge upon request. You are also entitled to a refund if Monstercat fails to deliver the service as described (for example, if claim-safe downloads do not actually prevent copyright claims, or if the music library is significantly smaller than advertised). New Zealand law presumes you have 10 working days from receipt of an invoice or charge to dispute it and request a refund.

Refund timelines and dispute resolution

Monstercat should process refunds within 5-10 working days of your request. If they do not respond within 10 working days, escalate your complaint to the Disputes Tribunal (for amounts under NZD $30,000) or the Commerce Commission. Tocancel advises you to keep screenshots of all communications and bank statements to support your claim. Never assume a slow response means you have no right to a refund. You do.

Common mistakes when cancelling Monstercat

Cancelling a subscription can feel stressful, especially if you are not sure whether you are doing it correctly. Many New Zealand consumers cancel through the wrong platform or forget to confirm their cancellation, leaving them charged for months after they believe they have quit.

Cancelling in the wrong place

The most common error is attempting to cancel through your bank or credit card provider instead of cancelling directly through Monstercat, Apple, or Google. Your bank cannot cancel a subscription for you. You must cancel through the platform where you subscribed. Cancelling your card will not stop the charge. When your new card details are added to your account, Monstercat will attempt to charge again, and you will be liable for those charges until you formally cancel the subscription.

Not confirming your cancellation in writing

Relying on a verbal conversation or a promise that "someone will cancel it for you" leaves no evidence if Monstercat continues to charge you. Always cancel through your own account dashboard or the app. Always save your cancellation confirmation email. This email is your proof that you cancelled, and it protects you if a dispute arises.

Forgetting to check your bank statement

After you cancel, monitor your bank statement for the next 30-60 days to confirm no charges appear. If an unexpected charge does appear, report it to Monstercat and your bank immediately. The sooner you report it, the faster your refund will be processed.

Comparison table: Monstercat vs. alternative music libraries for creators

If you are considering cancelling Monstercat, compare it to other royalty-friendly music platforms available to New Zealand creators. This table compares key features, pricing, and licensing terms.

How tocancel helps you cancel with confidence

Cancelling a subscription should be simple and stress-free. Tocancel exists to make sure you understand your rights and feel empowered to take action.

Why use tocancel to guide your cancellation

Tocancel provides clear, step-by-step cancellation instructions for hundreds of services across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and beyond. Our guides are written by consumer rights experts who understand New Zealand law. We explain your legal rights upfront, translate confusing cancellation policies into plain language, and give you the exact steps to cancel within minutes. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer need, recover unauthorised charges, and avoid common pitfalls that leave them paying months longer than intended.

What to do if Monstercat refuses to cancel or continues charging

If Monstercat ignores your cancellation request or continues to charge you after cancellation, do not panic. You have legal remedies. First, document everything: your cancellation request, the confirmation (if you received one), and every charge that appears after cancellation. Send Monstercat a formal written complaint (email is acceptable) stating clearly that you cancelled on [date] and demand a full refund for all charges after that date. Set a deadline of 10 working days for their response. If they do not respond or refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission or the Disputes Tribunal. Tocancel recommends keeping a copy of every communication. Your case is stronger when you have evidence.

Checklist: before, during, and after your cancellation

Use this checklist to make sure you do not miss any steps. A few minutes of preparation now prevents hours of frustration later.

Contact details if you need to escalate your complaint

Tocancel recommends keeping these contact details on file if you need to escalate a dispute with Monstercat or report misleading conduct.

Monstercat contact information

Monstercat has no dedicated postal address for cancellations in New Zealand. Their corporate headquarters is located in Canada. For support inquiries, contact them through their website at monstercat.com or look for a "Contact Us" or "Support" link on your account dashboard. Email is typically the fastest way to reach their support team.

New zealand consumer protection authorities

If Monstercat refuses to help, escalate to these authorities:

• Commerce Commission: Report misleading or deceptive conduct at www.comcom.govt.nz or phone 0800 943 600.
• Disputes Tribunal: For disputes under NZD $30,000, apply online at www.disputes.govt.nz or phone 0800 372 887.
• Community Law Centre: Free legal advice for New Zealand consumers. Find your local centre at www.communitylaw.org.nz.
• Citizens' Advice Bureau: Free consumer advice at www.cab.org.nz.

Your summary and next steps

Cancelling your Monstercat Gold subscription is straightforward when you follow the correct steps for your subscription type. You have strong legal rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act. If Monstercat fails to deliver what it promised, misrepresents its service, or refuses to process your cancellation, you can escalate with confidence to the Commerce Commission or the Disputes Tribunal.

Tocancel recommends you take action today. Identify your subscription type, follow the exact cancellation steps for your platform (direct Monstercat, Apple, or Google), save your confirmation email, and monitor your bank statement for 30 days. If any unexpected charges appear, escalate immediately. Do not delay, and do not assume the company will resolve an error on its own.

Cancelling a subscription you no longer need is your right as a New Zealand consumer. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers take control of their subscriptions, recover unauthorised charges, and avoid wasted spending. You can too. Start your cancellation today, and step back with confidence.