Cancel Paddle: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel your Paddle subscription and recover your money

What Paddle is and why you need to understand it before cancelling

Paddle is a merchant-of-record billing platform that software companies rely on to handle subscriptions, payments, taxes, and billing operations on their behalf. When you purchase software or digital products online, Paddle often operates behind the scenes, processing transactions and managing your recurring charges. Understanding Paddle's role helps you identify exactly where to send your cancellation request and what to expect throughout the process. At Tocancel, we've guided thousands of consumers through cancellations with third-party billing platforms, so you're in the right place to take control.

How Paddle charges appear on your statement

Paddle processes transactions for thousands of software sellers worldwide. Your credit card statement may display "Paddle" as the merchant name, the actual software company's name, or a reseller's name, depending on how the seller configured their billing setup. You might see charges labeled as "PADDLE.COM," a specific software product name, or another brand entirely. This naming confusion is one of the top reasons customers struggle to identify and cancel recurring charges. Paddle acts as the merchant of record, meaning they legally hold the billing relationship with you, even though you're using someone else's software or service.

Typical Paddle pricing structure and what it means for refunds

Paddle uses a straightforward pay-as-you-go model for most sellers, keeping the pricing structure consistent across transactions. Understanding these rates helps you verify charges on your statement and anticipate what refunds you may qualify for when you cancel. Below is the typical pricing breakdown:

These fees reveal an important fact: Paddle takes a percentage of each transaction. If you request a refund within their cancellation window, you may recover the full charge to your card, but Paddle typically retains their processing fee. This is standard across payment platforms and critical to know upfront so you can set realistic expectations for your refund amount.

Your consumer rights under US law

Before you cancel, know exactly what federal and state law entitles you to protect yourself effectively.

The FTC negative option rule and automatic renewal protections

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Negative Option Rule, which covers most recurring subscriptions sold in the United States. Under this rule, sellers must obtain your express informed consent before charging you for any automatic renewal. This means the terms, frequency, price, and cancellation method must be clear and conspicuous before you purchase. If you never explicitly agreed to auto-renewal, or if the cancellation process was hidden or needlessly complicated, the seller violated federal law.

Your legal position is strong: you have the unconditional right to cancel at any time, and the company must provide a simple cancellation method that mirrors how you signed up. If you signed up online, you must be able to cancel online. If you signed up by phone, you can cancel by phone. Most importantly, after you submit a valid cancellation request, the company must stop charging you before the next billing cycle. Continued billing after a valid cancellation is illegal under federal law and gives you grounds for a chargeback or complaint to the FTC.

State-level protections and additional leverage

Many US states have enacted their own automatic renewal laws that exceed the FTC rule's baseline protections. California, New York, Illinois, and others require even more transparency and easier cancellation pathways. Several states require sellers to confirm your cancellation in writing and to honor cancellation requests submitted through any reasonable method, not just their preferred channel. If you live in a state with strict renewal laws and Paddle or the seller refuses your cancellation, you have additional grounds to escalate your complaint to your state's Attorney General office.

Your state consumer protection laws may also give you the right to recover damages if a company violates cancellation requirements, making escalation a genuine threat if the company ignores your initial request.

Methods to cancel your Paddle subscription

Paddle offers multiple cancellation channels so you can choose the method that works best for you.

Cancel online through paddle's self-service portal

Paddle's primary cancellation method is their online self-service portal at paddle.net. This is the fastest and most convenient way to cancel because you receive immediate confirmation and avoid mail delays. Follow these steps to cancel your subscription online:

1. Visit paddle.net in your web browser
2. Enter the email address associated with your Paddle account
   • Use the exact email you used to purchase the subscription
   • If you're unsure of the email, check your credit card statement for the associated email address
3. Locate your subscription in the list of purchases or active subscriptions
4. Click on the subscription and select "Cancel subscription"
5. Choose your cancellation reason (optional but helpful)
6. Confirm the cancellation and wait for your confirmation email

Paddle's chat assistant is also available on their website if you encounter any issues finding your account or completing the cancellation process. This method creates an immediate digital record of your cancellation, which is crucial if you later need to dispute a charge.

Cancel by postal mail to paddle's US headquarters

If you prefer a paper trail or want to cancel without internet access, you can send a written cancellation letter to Paddle's US headquarters. This method takes longer but provides a timestamped record that proves you submitted your cancellation request. Send your letter to:

Paddle.com Inc
3811 Ditmars Blvd, 1071
Astoria, NY 11105-1803
USA

Include the following information in your letter:

• Your full name and email address associated with the Paddle account
• Your subscription details (product name, subscription ID if you have it)
• The date you want the cancellation to take effect
• A clear statement that you are cancelling your subscription effective immediately or on a specific date
• Your request for confirmation of cancellation by email

Send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery. Paddle should receive and process your request within 5-7 business days, though allow up to 14 days to account for mail transit time. Keep your certified mail receipt and the return receipt as evidence of your cancellation request.

Dispute the charge directly with your bank or credit card company

If Paddle or the seller refuses to cancel your subscription or continues charging you after you've submitted a valid cancellation request, you have the right to initiate a chargeback dispute with your bank or credit card issuer. Contact your financial institution's fraud or disputes department and explain that you cancelled the subscription but were charged anyway. Your bank can reverse the unauthorized charges and may freeze future transactions from Paddle pending their investigation. A chargeback is a powerful enforcement tool, but use it only after you've made a genuine cancellation attempt.

Timeline and what to expect after cancellation

Understanding the cancellation timeline helps you monitor your billing and catch any errors.

After you submit your cancellation request online through paddle.net, Paddle typically confirms the cancellation within minutes and sends you a confirmation email. Your subscription will remain active through the end of your current billing period, then discontinue. For example, if your next billing date is 10 days away, you'll remain a subscriber for those 10 days, then the subscription will stop automatically.

If you cancel by postal mail, Paddle typically needs 5-7 business days to receive, process, and confirm your request, plus an additional 2-3 days for them to email you confirmation. During this time, your subscription remains active and you may be charged if your billing date occurs. This is why the online method is faster and preferable.

After your cancellation takes effect, check your credit card statement 5-7 days later to confirm no additional charges appear. If Paddle or the seller charges you after your cancellation is confirmed, you have grounds to file a dispute with your bank immediately.

Refunds and what you can recover

Your refund eligibility depends on the seller's refund policy and how long you've held the subscription.

Paddle and the seller may offer refunds within 30 days of purchase if you request one before your first renewal. After 30 days, refund eligibility varies by seller. Some sellers offer pro-rated refunds (refunds for unused time), while others offer full refunds within 60 days. Check your original purchase confirmation email or the product's sales page for the seller's refund policy before cancelling.

To request a refund alongside your cancellation, use Paddle's chat assistant on paddle.net or mention in your postal cancellation letter that you want to request a refund. Be specific: state whether you want a refund for your current subscription period, a pro-rated refund for unused time, or a full refund. Paddle will process your refund request according to the seller's stated policy and notify you of approval or denial.

Important note: Paddle's processing fees (the 5% + $0.50 per transaction) are typically non-refundable because they represent Paddle's cost to process the transaction. You may recover the full amount charged to your card if the seller approves a refund, but expect Paddle to retain their processing fee.

If Paddle denies your refund request unfairly, you can escalate to your state's Attorney General or file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Tocancel recommends documenting every cancellation and refund request in writing so you have evidence if escalation becomes necessary.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Paddle subscriptions

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but companies sometimes create friction hoping you'll abandon the process. Don't let a confusing interface or unclear steps discourage you from taking action-you have legal rights on your side.

Mistake 1: confusing Paddle with the actual software company

Many customers try to cancel their subscription directly with the software company or through that company's app, unaware that Paddle controls the actual billing. If you cancel in the software company's account settings, your access to the product may stop, but your recurring charges through Paddle will continue. Always cancel through Paddle's portal at paddle.net, not through the software company's website. If you're unsure who controls your billing, check your credit card statement for the merchant name and search for that company's cancellation process.

Mistake 2: delaying cancellation past your next billing date

Paddle's billing cycle runs automatically until you cancel. If your renewal date is in 3 days and you haven't yet submitted your cancellation, you'll be charged for another subscription period. Cancel immediately to prevent an unwanted charge. Even if you cancel the day after you're charged, you may qualify for a refund if you request one quickly. The sooner you cancel, the better your chances of recovering your money.

Mistake 3: failing to save your cancellation confirmation email

After you cancel online, Paddle sends you a confirmation email. Save this email to your inbox or print it. If Paddle continues charging you after your confirmed cancellation, you'll need this email as proof when you file a chargeback dispute with your bank. Without it, your bank may side with Paddle if there's a disagreement about whether you actually cancelled.

Mistake 4: not checking for recurring charges after you think you've cancelled

Many customers assume their cancellation worked and stop monitoring their credit card. Check your statement 5-7 days after your cancellation effective date to confirm Paddle hasn't charged you again. If you see a surprise charge, contact Paddle immediately through their chat assistant at paddle.net and file a chargeback dispute with your bank. Early detection gives you more leverage.

After cancellation: what happens next

Once your subscription ends, your access to the software or service will typically stop at the end of your current billing period, but billing and account issues sometimes linger.

After your cancellation becomes effective, your account will show as cancelled or inactive on Paddle's system, and no further charges should appear on your credit card. You may still receive a final invoice email from Paddle showing your last charge and cancellation date-this is normal and confirms the transaction is closed. If you requested a refund, watch for an email from Paddle notifying you of approval or denial. If approved, the refund should appear in your bank account within 5-10 business days.

If Paddle continues charging you after your cancellation date, this violates the FTC Negative Option Rule. Contact your bank immediately and file a chargeback dispute, providing your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Your bank can reverse the unauthorized charges and investigate Paddle's practice. If multiple customers file chargebacks for the same violation, it attracts FTC attention and may trigger an enforcement action.

At Tocancel, we recommend checking your credit card statement monthly for 60 days after cancellation. If you're absolutely certain no refund was coming and you spot a charge, escalate immediately-the sooner you act, the stronger your claim to a chargeback.

How to escalate if Paddle refuses to cancel or refund

If Paddle or the seller ignores your cancellation request or denies a refund you believe you deserve, you have escalation options backed by federal and state law.

Step 1: formal written request via certified mail

Send a second cancellation and refund request to Paddle's headquarters via certified mail with return receipt requested. In this letter, reference your previous cancellation attempt, the date you submitted it, and how you submitted it (online or by mail). State that you are resubmitting your cancellation request and demanding a response within 10 business days. Include copies of your previous cancellation confirmation email if you have one. This creates an official paper trail and shows Paddle you're serious.

Step 2: file a complaint with the federal trade commission

If Paddle doesn't respond or refuses your cancellation within 10 days of your certified letter, file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Describe your cancellation attempts, the dates, and Paddle's non-compliance. The FTC investigates violations of the Negative Option Rule and can force companies to cease illegal practices and refund harmed consumers. Include copies of your cancellation confirmation email, your certified mail receipt, and any correspondence with Paddle. While the FTC won't recover money directly for you, a complaint triggers investigation and puts pressure on Paddle to comply.

Step 3: escalate to your state's attorney general

Your state's Attorney General office enforces state consumer protection laws, including automatic renewal statutes. Many state AGs have consumer complaint portals on their websites. File a complaint alleging that Paddle violated your state's automatic renewal law by refusing your cancellation request or by making cancellation difficult. Some states, like California and New York, actively enforce these laws and have obtained millions in refunds for consumers. Include the same documentation you filed with the FTC.

Step 4: file a chargeback dispute with your bank

If you're still being charged after a valid cancellation, contact your bank or credit card company's disputes department and file a chargeback for unauthorized charges. Explain that you cancelled your subscription but were charged anyway. Provide your cancellation confirmation email and any correspondence with Paddle. Your bank can reverse the charges and freeze future transactions from Paddle. A chargeback is a powerful tool and the fastest way to recover your money if Paddle won't refund you voluntarily.

Comparison: cancellation methods at a glance

Choose the cancellation method that best fits your situation and timeline.

Contact information and mailing address

If you need to reach Paddle directly or send a cancellation letter, use the contact details below:

Paddle.com Inc
3811 Ditmars Blvd, 1071
Astoria, NY 11105-1803
USA

For online cancellation, visit paddle.net and use their self-service portal or chat with their support assistant. For complaints and escalation:

• Federal Trade Commission: reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-438-4338
• Your state's Attorney General: Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaints" to find your state's complaint portal
• Your bank or credit card company: Check the back of your card or your online account for the disputes department phone number

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover their money. Your cancellation rights are protected by federal law, and companies must honor them. If Paddle makes cancellation difficult or ignores your request, escalate with confidence-you have legal leverage. Start with the online portal at paddle.net for fastest results, and save your confirmation email. Act today, and you can stop unwanted charges tomorrow.