Cancel Freelancer.Com: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel your Freelancer.com account in new zealand and protect your unused credits

What Freelancer.com is and why you might cancel

Freelancer.com is a global marketplace where you can hire contractors for projects, run design contests, or bid on freelance work yourself. The platform charges membership fees for premium features like priority bidding, featured project listings, and contest upgrades. As a New Zealand user, you pay in NZD and access the same core functionality as users worldwide.

Many New Zealand members subscribe to find contractors or build freelance income. However, you might cancel if membership fees no longer deliver value, if you've found better platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or if you simply want to stop recurring charges. Your reason for cancelling is yours alone, and Tocancel is here to walk you through the process with clarity and confidence.

When cancellation makes sense for you

You should consider cancelling if you're not actively bidding or hiring, if you prefer competitor platforms, or if monthly fees reduce your profit margins without bringing enough qualified leads. Cancellation stops future charges immediately while keeping your profile, past projects, client feedback, and messages intact. This means you preserve your work history without losing access to core information.

What remains after you cancel

Your account data does not disappear after cancellation. Your profile, project history, client reviews, and message threads stay on Freelancer.com indefinitely. You simply lose access to paid features like priority bidding and featured listings. Any unused credits in your account balance can be withdrawn or refunded within Freelancer.com's stated timeframes.

Freelancer.com pricing in NZD and what you're paying for

Understanding your current charges is the first step toward confident cancellation.

Membership and upgrade costs in new zealand dollars

Membership costs accumulate fast on monthly billing. Annual plans often offer better value but lock you in for 12 months. Before you cancel, log into your account settings and note your current plan, renewal date, and any remaining credits. This information strengthens your position if you need to dispute charges later.

Your consumer rights when cancelling Freelancer.com in new zealand

As a New Zealand consumer, your cancellation rights are protected by law.

The consumer guarantees act and your protection

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) is the primary law protecting you as a consumer in New Zealand. Under the CGA, services supplied to you must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and supplied with due care and skill. This means Freelancer.com must deliver the membership features it promises, and if it fails to do so, you have the right to cancel and seek a refund.

Your legal position is straightforward: you can cancel a subscription service within 14 days of purchase if you change your mind, even without a reason. After 14 days, you can still cancel, but Freelancer.com may charge a reasonable cancellation fee. However, if the service does not work as promised or fails to meet acceptable quality standards, you can cancel and demand a full refund at any time, regardless of how long you have held the membership.

The Commerce Commission is the enforcement body responsible for protecting your rights under the CGA. If Freelancer.com refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission's website at www.comcom.govt.nz.

When you can demand a refund

You have a strong legal case for a refund if Freelancer.com fails to deliver the service as advertised, if the platform has repeated technical failures, or if you can prove you were misled about features or pricing. Document all failures and correspondence with Freelancer.com before escalating to the Commerce Commission. Tocancel recommends keeping screenshots, emails, and a timeline of issues to support your case.

How to cancel your Freelancer.com membership step by step

Cancellation varies depending on how you subscribed.

Cancel via the Freelancer.com website

This is the fastest and most reliable method. The process takes under five minutes and stops future charges immediately.

1. Open Freelancer.com in your browser and log in with your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the recovery steps sent to your email.
2. Click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner and select Settings.
   • On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and navigate to Settings.
3. Find the Membership or Billing tab in the left sidebar.
   • This section shows your active membership plan and renewal date.
4. Locate your active membership and click Cancel membership or Downgrade.
   • If you cannot find a cancel button, your membership may have already expired or you may be on the free tier.
5. Confirm your cancellation when prompted. Freelancer.com will ask why you are cancelling; answer honestly but briefly.
   • Your feedback helps the platform improve, but it is optional.
6. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message from Freelancer.com within 15 minutes.
   • This email is your proof of cancellation. Save it for your records.

Your membership will end on your next renewal date, not immediately. You retain access to paid features until that date arrives. Tocancel advises you to verify in your account settings that your membership shows "Cancelled" or "Expires on [date]" after you complete these steps.

Cancel an apple app store subscription

If you subscribed to Freelancer.com through the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPad, you must cancel via Apple, not through the Freelancer.com website.

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple device.
   • Do not use the Freelancer.com app.
2. Tap Apple ID at the top of the screen, then select Subscriptions.
   • You may need to enter your Apple ID password or use Face ID to proceed.
3. Find Freelancer.com in your active subscriptions list and tap it.
   • If you do not see it, scroll down or search for it.
4. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm your choice.
   • Apple will ask for confirmation; tap again to proceed.
5. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Apple within 10 minutes.
   • Keep this email as proof.

Apple does not process refunds for past charges unless you cancell within 14 days of your purchase. If you are outside this window and believe you deserve a refund, contact Freelancer.com directly with your Apple receipt; the platform may honour a courtesy refund in some cases.

Cancel a google play subscription

If you subscribed through the Google Play Store on Android, you must cancel via Google Play, not the Freelancer.com app.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Select Manage subscriptions or Payments and subscriptions.
   • The exact name varies by Android version.
3. Find Freelancer.com in your list of subscriptions and tap it.
   • If you do not see it, refresh the page or search.
4. Tap Cancel subscription and follow the on-screen prompts.
   • Google may offer a discount to keep your subscription; decline this if you are certain you want to cancel.
5. Look for a cancellation confirmation email from Google Play within 10 minutes.
   • Save this email for your records.

Google Play refunds past charges only within 14 days of purchase. Outside this window, you must request a refund directly from Freelancer.com or dispute the charge with your bank.

What happens after you cancel your Freelancer.com membership

Cancellation does not mean deletion. Understanding what stays and what goes helps you avoid surprises.

Your account access and data after cancellation

You keep full access to your Freelancer.com account and all past data. Your profile remains visible (unless you later choose to delete it), your project history stays intact, and you can still send and read messages from past clients or contractors. You simply lose access to premium features like priority bidding and featured project listings on any new bids or projects you post.

If you are a freelancer, past client feedback and your portfolio remain on display. This protects your reputation and helps you attract future work if you decide to reactivate your membership later.

Withdrawal and refund of unused credits

Any unused credits in your account can be withdrawn or transferred to your payment method. Log into your account settings, navigate to your wallet or billing section, and select "Withdraw credits" or "Request refund". Freelancer.com typically processes withdrawals within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your payment method.

If Freelancer.com refuses to refund unused credits, escalate the complaint to Tocancel, which can help you document the issue and contact the Commerce Commission on your behalf. You have a legal right to recover money you paid for services you did not use.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Freelancer.com

Cancellation is straightforward, but small errors can cause delays or unwanted charges. Here are the traps that catch many users.

Mistake one: confusing "downgrade" with "cancel"

Some Freelancer.com account settings offer "Downgrade to free" or "Downgrade to Basic". These options do not stop all charges; they simply move you to a lower-tier membership with lower fees. If you want to stop all recurring charges, you must explicitly select "Cancel membership", not "Downgrade". Review your confirmation email carefully to confirm cancellation, not a downgrade.

Mistake two: cancelling on your app but not on the web platform

If you subscribed via the Freelancer.com website, cancelling in the app does not work. You must cancel using the same channel through which you subscribed. App cancellations only work if you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play. Tocancel recommends cancelling through the official website whenever possible, as this leaves the clearest digital trail.

Mistake three: not saving your cancellation confirmation

Always screenshot or save your cancellation confirmation email. If Freelancer.com charges you again after cancellation (a rare but documented issue), your confirmation email is proof that you cancelled in good faith. Without this proof, you will struggle to recover unwanted charges.

Mistake four: cancelling right before a renewal date

Many users cancel the day before their renewal date expecting an immediate refund. Freelancer.com's policy usually allows you to keep access until your current billing period ends, then your membership expires. If you want to stop using the platform immediately, cancel as soon as possible after you realize you no longer need it. Tocancel advises against waiting until the last moment, as payment processing delays can sometimes result in an unexpected charge.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and documented.

How tocancel helps you cancel Freelancer.com with confidence

Tocancel is a New Zealand consumer-rights platform dedicated to helping people like you cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover unused funds, and understand your legal rights. Tocancel has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel Freelancer.com and other platforms, and we provide guidance at every step.

If you encounter resistance from Freelancer.com, if the platform refuses to process your cancellation, or if you are charged after cancellation, Tocancel can help you document the issue, draft a formal complaint, and escalate to the Commerce Commission if necessary. Your consumer rights are not suggestions; they are enforceable by law, and Tocancel ensures you know how to use them.

Visit Tocancel.com today to access free cancellation templates, complaint letters, and detailed guides for hundreds of services. Tocancel also offers a direct complaint service if you need professional support in recovering refunds or enforcing your rights. Remember: you have the power to cancel, and Tocancel is here to back you up every step of the way.

Contact information for Freelancer.com and escalation

If you need to contact Freelancer.com directly or escalate a complaint, use the contact details below.

Freelancer.com customer support

Freelancer.com does not maintain a dedicated postal address in New Zealand. The company is registered in Sydney, Australia. Contact Freelancer.com through the following channels:

• Email support: Visit Freelancer.com, log in, and click "Help" or "Contact us" to submit a support ticket. This creates a tracked record of your inquiry.
• Live chat: Log into your account and access live chat during business hours. Take screenshots of your conversation for documentation.
• Registered office: Freelancer Limited, Unit 3a, 72 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia. Use this address if you need to send a formal written complaint or legal notice.

New zealand enforcement authority

If Freelancer.com does not respond to your cancellation or refund request within 20 working days, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission.

• Commerce Commission New Zealand: www.comcom.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 943 600 (toll-free)
• Email: [email protected]
• Postal address: Commerce Commission, Private Bag 2, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

The Commerce Commission investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and can order Freelancer.com to refund you, pay compensation, and change its practices. Your complaint is free and carries legal weight. Tocancel recommends providing the Commerce Commission with all cancellation confirmations, payment receipts, and correspondence with Freelancer.com to strengthen your case.

Cancelling your Freelancer.com membership is your right as a New Zealand consumer. Whether you are stopping charges, switching platforms, or simply tightening your budget, you can cancel with confidence. Follow the steps above, keep your confirmation emails, and remember that Tocancel is always here to support you. Your consumer rights are enforceable, and you deserve clarity and fairness every step of the way.