Cancel Starapps: The Right Way

How to cancel Starapps in new zealand and reclaim your money

What Starapps is and why you might need to cancel

Starapps (marketed as StarApps Studio) is a cloud-based app-building subscription service that lets you create and manage mobile applications without deep coding knowledge. You access the platform through a web browser or mobile app, and the service charges you on a recurring basis until you cancel.

The provider advertises a "cancel anytime" approach with a 14-day free trial for new users, which sounds reassuring. However, New Zealand consumers often find that cancelling is harder than signing up, especially when charges continue after you intended to stop. If you're here, you likely want clarity on how to cancel cleanly and whether you're eligible for a refund.

At Tocancel, we've helped thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations, and Starapps is no exception. Understanding your options and your legal rights puts the power back in your hands.

How Starapps bills you

Starapps subscriptions are sold through three different channels, and your cancellation method depends on where you paid:

• Direct web purchase (StarApps Studio website) using a credit or debit card
• Apple App Store (billed through your Apple account)
• PayPal (if you linked your PayPal account during purchase)

Each channel has its own billing system and cancellation process. This matters because if you cancel in the wrong place, you might think you've stopped the subscription when charges continue elsewhere. Your first step is to check your bank or credit card statement and identify exactly where you were charged.

Why cancellation matters in new zealand

Under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have rights when you purchase digital services. If Starapps fails to deliver what was promised, or if you're charged without clear consent, you can claim a refund or replacement. Tocancel recommends documenting every charge and cancellation attempt, because evidence is your strongest tool if you need to escalate to the Commerce Commission.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

Before you cancel, understand what protections you have as a consumer in Aotearoa.

Consumer guarantees act protections

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 gives you the right to expect that any service you pay for is of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered safely. If Starapps doesn't deliver on these promises, you can request a refund, repair, or replacement within a reasonable time.

Your legal position is strong: if the service is faulty, unfit for purpose, or not delivered as described, the burden is on Starapps to put it right. You do not have to accept a substitute or partial solution if the original service fails. Additionally, if you purchased through Apple App Store or PayPal, those platforms have their own refund windows (typically 14-15 days). This is separate from what Starapps itself offers, and you can use either route if the first fails.

Cooling-off and distance-selling rights

If you purchased Starapps online (which you did), you have a 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Rights Act (implied into distance contracts). This means you can cancel and request a full refund within 14 days of purchase, even if the service is working perfectly, as long as you haven't substantially used it.

After 14 days, your right to a refund depends on whether the service matches the description or whether Starapps's own refund policy allows it. Tocancel always advises keeping your purchase confirmation email and all correspondence as proof of your cancellation request. If Starapps refuses, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, which enforces consumer law in New Zealand.

Cancellation methods: where to cancel based on how you paid

Your next steps depend entirely on which payment method you used when you signed up for Starapps.

Cancel a direct web purchase from the Starapps website

If you paid directly on the StarApps Studio website using your credit or debit card, follow these steps to request cancellation:

1. Go to the StarApps contact page at https://www.starapps.io/contact-us
   • Use a browser on your computer for clarity and to screenshot the form
   • Have your account email and subscription confirmation ready
2. Fill in the contact form with your full name, email address, and account details
3. In the message field, write: "I request immediate cancellation of my Starapps subscription effective today. Please confirm cancellation in writing and stop all future charges to my card ending in [last 4 digits]."
4. Submit the form and take a screenshot of the confirmation page
5. Send a follow-up email to support if you receive no response within 5 business days
6. Wait for written confirmation that your subscription has been cancelled
7. Check your card statement 3-5 business days later to confirm no further charges appear

If you receive no response or Starapps continues to charge you, contact your bank or credit card issuer and dispute the charges as unauthorized or recurring after cancellation. Your bank can reverse those charges within certain timeframes.

Cancel your apple app store subscription

If Starapps is billed through your Apple account, you must cancel through Apple, not through Starapps directly:

1. Open the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find Starapps in your active subscriptions list
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice
6. Apple will send you a confirmation email within minutes
7. Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing period

Apple's refund window is 14 days from the date of purchase. If you cancel within this period and Starapps did not work as described, you can request a refund directly from Apple in the App Store settings under "Purchase History". Apple will review your request and process refunds within 5-10 business days.

Cancel your PayPal-linked subscription

If you linked your PayPal account to Starapps during purchase, cancel through PayPal rather than the Starapps website:

1. Log into your PayPal account at www.paypal.com
2. Click "Settings" (gear icon) in the top right
3. Select "Payments" from the left menu
4. Choose "Manage automatic payments"
5. Find Starapps Studio in your list of merchants
6. Click on the entry and select "Cancel"
7. Confirm cancellation; PayPal will send a confirmation email
8. Monitor your PayPal account for 1-2 billing cycles to ensure charges stop

PayPal offers buyer protection for unauthorized charges. If Starapps continues to bill you after cancellation, you can file a dispute in your PayPal resolution centre and request a full refund. PayPal typically sides with consumers on these claims if you provide proof of cancellation.

Refund eligibility and what to expect

Your refund eligibility depends on how long you have held the subscription and why you want to cancel.

Within 14 days of purchase

You have a statutory right to cancel and receive a full refund within 14 days of purchase under the Consumer Rights Act, provided you have not substantially used the service. "Substantially used" is difficult for Starapps to prove for a free trial, so your claim is strong. Contact the Commerce Commission if Starapps refuses to refund you within this window.

After 14 days: what Starapps owes you

Once the 14-day cooling-off period ends, your refund right depends on Starapps's stated cancellation and refund policy. However, if the service is faulty, incomplete, or not as described, you retain the right to a refund or replacement under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Tocancel advises checking whether Starapps promises refunds for unused portions of the month; some providers do, others do not. Your cancellation request email should ask this explicitly: "Am I entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of this billing cycle?"

Refund timeline

After you cancel: what to do next

Cancelling is just the beginning. Many consumers believe they've cancelled only to find charges continue months later.

Verify that charges have stopped

Your next step is to monitor your account for 30 days. Check your bank statement, Apple account, or PayPal account weekly to confirm no further Starapps charges appear. If you see a charge after the cancellation date you requested, contact your payment provider immediately and dispute it as an unauthorized recurring charge.

Keep all documentation

Save every email, screenshot, and confirmation related to your cancellation. Store these in a folder on your computer or cloud drive with clear filenames like "Starapps_cancellation_request_20240115.pdf". If you need to escalate to the Commerce Commission or take a chargeback dispute, this evidence will be your strongest tool. Tocancel recommends keeping these files for at least 12 months after cancellation.

What if charges continue after cancellation

If Starapps continues to charge you after you've cancelled and sent written confirmation, you have multiple options: First, contact Starapps support with a screenshot of the charge and your cancellation email, demanding an immediate refund with a 5-day deadline. Second, if Starapps does not respond, contact your bank or credit card issuer and dispute the charge as "recurring charge after cancellation requested" or "unauthorized transaction". Your bank will investigate and can reverse charges up to 6 months in the past. Third, if Starapps refuses and your bank's chargeback fails, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission, which can compel Starapps to refund you.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Starapps

Cancellation can feel stressful, especially when money is involved. Here are the traps that catch many New Zealand consumers.

Cancelling in the wrong place

The most common mistake is cancelling through the Starapps website when you actually paid through Apple or PayPal. Cancelling in one place does not cancel in another. If you paid through Apple App Store, you must cancel there; if you paid through PayPal, you must cancel there. Check your original purchase receipt or bank statement to see which merchant charged you, then cancel in that same place.

Not requesting a refund explicitly

Simply cancelling your subscription does not automatically trigger a refund. You must ask for one in writing. Your cancellation email should include the phrase: "I request cancellation of my subscription effective immediately and a refund of charges for unused service." Without this explicit request, Starapps may assume you only want the subscription to end, not refund any fees.

Assuming the 14-day free trial covers you indefinitely

Starapps's 14-day free trial gives you 14 days to explore the service at no cost. After those 14 days, you are charged. If you do not cancel within that window, you cannot claim the trial extended longer. Set a reminder on your phone 2 days before the trial ends so you have time to cancel if you do not want to be charged.

Not keeping proof of cancellation

If you cancel by phone or chat and do not receive a written confirmation, you have no proof if a dispute arises. Always cancel by email or through a platform that sends an automated confirmation (Apple, PayPal). If you must use a contact form, take a screenshot of the confirmation page and save it. Tocancel advises sending a follow-up email after submitting a form to create a written record.

Starapps pricing and plan comparison

Understanding what you pay for helps you decide whether to cancel or downgrade.

If you find Starapps too expensive, consider downgrading to the Starter plan instead of cancelling entirely. This preserves your account and apps while reducing monthly cost to NZD $29. Contact Starapps support and request a plan downgrade in writing.

Should you cancel or keep your Starapps subscription

Before you commit to cancellation, weigh the pros and cons.

Reasons to cancel Starapps

• You no longer use the platform or your apps are inactive
• The cost (NZD $29-$299 per month) no longer justifies the value you get
• You've found a cheaper or better alternative (Bubble, FlutterFlow, Adalo)
• The service quality has declined or support is unresponsive
• You're experiencing ongoing charges after requesting cancellation
• You need to reduce subscriptions due to budget constraints

Reasons to keep your Starapps subscription

• You have active apps in production that depend on Starapps's infrastructure
• You plan to develop new apps soon and value the existing features
• You benefit from the support tier you're currently paying for
• The cost is justified by the apps you're running or clients you're serving

If you're on the fence, consider downgrading to the lowest plan for 30 days rather than cancelling. This gives you time to back up your apps and migrate data if needed.

Escalation: what to do if Starapps refuses to cancel or refund

Starapps's inability or refusal to cancel your subscription or honour a refund is a breach of New Zealand consumer law.

Your escalation options

First, send a formal written demand to Starapps at their registered address (see below) stating: "I request cancellation of my subscription and a refund of NZD [amount] within 7 days. If I do not receive confirmation and a refund by [date], I will escalate this matter to the Commerce Commission and my bank." Keep a copy of this letter.

Second, if Starapps does not respond within 7 days, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission at www.comcom.govt.nz. The Commerce Commission enforces the Consumer Guarantees Act and can compel Starapps to refund you. Include your cancellation emails, bank statements showing charges, and the formal demand letter you sent. The Commission's investigation is free and takes 4-8 weeks.

Third, if Starapps was charged to your credit card or bank account, contact your bank or card issuer and dispute the charges. Provide proof of your cancellation request and explain that the merchant has refused to stop billing. Your bank can reverse charges up to 6 months in the past and often side with consumers on recurring billing disputes.

Your legal position in plain language

Starapps cannot force you to keep a subscription you do not want. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have the right to cancel a service and receive a refund if you cancel within 14 days or if the service is faulty. If Starapps refuses, the Commerce Commission can force them to comply. You do not need a lawyer; the Commission will investigate at no cost to you.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and protect your rights.

Starapps contact details and mailing address

If you need to escalate your cancellation request, contact Starapps directly.

How to reach Starapps

Starapps does not list a New Zealand-specific address or phone number. The only mailing address currently available is their Belgium headquarters. Send your cancellation demand by email to their contact form at https://www.starapps.io/contact-us and follow up with a physical letter if you receive no response within 5 business days.

Registered mailing address: Starapps Studio, Belgium (contact form for exact street address, as no NZ office is listed).

If Starapps does not respond or refuses your cancellation, escalate to the Commerce Commission instead. You do not need Starapps's direct consent to file a complaint; the Commission will investigate on your behalf.

Take control and cancel with confidence

Cancelling a subscription should be as simple as signing up. Starapps's multi-platform billing structure can make it confusing, but understanding your payment method and your consumer rights puts you in control. Within the 14-day cooling-off period, you have a statutory right to cancel and receive a full refund under New Zealand law. After that, your rights depend on Starapps's refund policy and the quality of the service.

Remember: cancellation is not optional for the company. You have the right to stop paying at any time. If Starapps refuses to honour your cancellation request, document everything and escalate to the Commerce Commission. Charges that continue after you've cancelled are unauthorized and can be disputed with your bank.

Tocancel has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and reclaim their money. Whether you're cancelling Starapps because it no longer serves you, because you've found a better tool, or because charges continue despite cancellation requests, Tocancel's guides walk you through every step with clear, actionable advice grounded in your consumer rights. Visit Tocancel today to find cancellation guides for hundreds of services and protect your wallet.