Cancel Obsidian: The Right Way to Reclaim Your Subscription

How to cancel Obsidian and take control of your subscription in south africa

What is Obsidian and why south african users cancel

Obsidian is a note-taking and knowledge-management application that stores your notes locally as Markdown files, letting you build a networked "vault" of interconnected ideas. The core app is free and cross-platform, but Obsidian offers optional paid services: Sync (for device synchronisation) and Publish (to share notes online). If you've subscribed to either service and now want to stop paying, you need to know the exact cancellation steps before the next auto-renewal charge hits your account.

The main features of Obsidian

Obsidian delivers Markdown support, local-first storage where your data stays on your device, and plugin extensibility so you can customise the app to your needs. The emphasis on offline access and data ownership appeals to users who want full control over their information. However, if the subscription no longer fits your workflow, budget or priorities, cancellation is straightforward once you know where to look.

Why you might want to cancel

You might cancel if you've switched to another note-taking tool, if the subscription cost doesn't justify your monthly usage, if you prefer to use only the free core features, or if you've found better value elsewhere. Whatever your reason, Tocancel has helped thousands of South African consumers navigate subscription cancellations with confidence. Your decision to cancel is valid, and you have legal rights to protect you throughout the process.

Your consumer rights when cancelling Obsidian in south africa

South Africa gives you strong legal protections when you buy digital services online, and Obsidian subscriptions fall squarely under these rules.

The cooling-off period under the ECT act

The Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act grants you a 7-day cooling-off period from the date you conclude a digital service agreement with Obsidian. This means you can cancel most Obsidian subscriptions within 7 days without penalty and without giving any reason. When you exercise this right, Obsidian must refund you in full within 30 days of your cancellation request. If Obsidian denies your refund within the 7-day window, you have legal grounds to escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). Your legal position is clear: you have an automatic right to cool off, and the company must honour it.

Protection under the consumer protection act

The Consumer Protection Act limits return rights for digital goods once delivered or accessed, unless the product is defective or misdescribed. However, if your Obsidian subscription is not delivering the advertised features (for example, if Sync fails to synchronise reliably or Publish is non-functional), you may have recourse under the fairness and quality standards embedded in the law. The Act also requires that digital services be supplied with reasonable care and skill. If Obsidian fails to meet this standard and refuses to fix the issue, contact Tocancel's expert advisors or escalate directly to the NCC at www.ncc.org.za.

How to cancel Obsidian: your step-by-step options

Obsidian lets you cancel through two main routes depending on where you bought your subscription and which service you want to stop.

Cancel via the Obsidian website (Sync and publish subscriptions)

This is the fastest and most direct route if you subscribed through Obsidian's own billing portal. Follow these steps to cancel in under five minutes.

1. Go to obsidian.md and log into your account using your email address and password.
   • If you cannot remember your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
   • Check your spam folder if you do not receive the reset email within 5 minutes.
2. Once logged in, navigate to the Account or Settings section (usually in the top-right menu or under your profile icon).
   • Look for "Billing", "Subscriptions", or "Invoices and refunds".
3. Find the subscription you wish to cancel: either Sync or Publish.
   • Check the billing date and renewal date to confirm you are viewing the correct subscription.
   • Note the renewal date, as this tells you when the next charge will occur.
4. Select the Cancel subscription button next to your active plan.
   • Obsidian may prompt you to provide feedback on why you are cancelling. You do not have to answer this, but it helps the company improve.
5. Confirm your cancellation when the system asks you to verify.
   • You should receive an immediate on-screen confirmation and an email within minutes.
6. Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a cancellation confirmation from Obsidian within 15 minutes.
   • Keep this email as proof of your cancellation request for future reference.

If you subscribed through the Obsidian website, this method cancels your subscription immediately and stops all future charges. No further action is needed.

Cancel if you subscribed through a third-party app store

If you purchased your Obsidian subscription through Apple's App Store, Google Play, or another marketplace, you must cancel through that platform, not through Obsidian's website. Your cancellation request goes to the app store first, and they pass the instruction to Obsidian.

1. For Apple App Store (iOS/macOS): Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner, select "Subscriptions", find Obsidian, tap "Manage", and select "Cancel Subscription". Confirm your choice.
   • Your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, not immediately.
   • Keep a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation for your records.
2. For Google Play (Android): Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner, select "Payments and subscriptions", tap "Subscriptions", find Obsidian, tap it, and select "Cancel subscription". Confirm when prompted.
   • Your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.
   • You will receive a confirmation email from Google Play within minutes.
3. For other app stores: Log into your account on the app store's website, navigate to "Subscriptions" or "Billing", find Obsidian, and select "Cancel" or "Unsubscribe".
   • The exact steps vary by platform, so look for in-app help if you are unsure.
   • Screenshot your confirmation for your records.

App store cancellations typically take effect at the end of your current billing period, not immediately. This means you retain access to Obsidian's paid features until your renewal date passes. Tocancel recommends cancelling as early as possible in your billing cycle to maximise your access window and avoid surprise charges.

What to expect after you cancel Obsidian

Understanding what happens next reduces confusion and helps you stay in control of your digital life.

Immediate effects of cancellation

Once you cancel, Obsidian stops billing you at your next renewal date. If you cancelled via the Obsidian website, the stop is immediate. If you cancelled via an app store, the stop takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle (for example, if your renewal date is 15 February and you cancel on 10 February, you keep access until 15 February, then lose it). You retain access to your notes and vault at all times, even after cancellation, because Obsidian stores your data locally on your device. You will simply lose access to paid features like Sync and Publish once your subscription ends.

Refund and billing questions

South African consumer law does not automatically entitle you to a refund if you cancel outside the 7-day cooling-off period (under the ECT Act). However, you may request a refund if Obsidian's service was faulty, misdescribed, or did not meet reasonable quality standards. If you cancel within 7 days of purchase, you have an automatic right to a full refund under the ECT Act. Submit any refund request in writing (email is acceptable) to Obsidian's support team and reference the ECT Act and your cancellation date. Allow 30 days for Obsidian to process your refund. If the company refuses without valid reason, Tocancel recommends escalating to the NCC.

Keeping your data safe

Your notes, vault structure, and all local files remain on your device after cancellation. If you used Sync, your files are stored both locally and in Obsidian's cloud. After cancellation, your local copy remains yours forever. To keep a backup, export your vault as a compressed folder or use your device's backup system. This protects you in case your device is lost or damaged.

Obsidian subscription pricing and comparison table

Understanding Obsidian's pricing helps you decide whether the subscription is worth keeping or cancelling.

Prices are approximate and subject to exchange rate fluctuations as Obsidian bills in USD. Check obsidian.md for current ZAR pricing. If you use only the free core app, you do not need to cancel anything because there is no subscription. Cancel only if you are paying for Sync, Publish, or both.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Obsidian

Many South African users make small errors during cancellation that delay their refunds or leave them vulnerable to surprise charges. You can avoid these with a little care.

Not cancelling in time

Obsidian charges automatically on your renewal date. If you wait until the day of renewal, the charge may already have gone through, and you will then need to request a refund. Cancel at least 2-3 days before your renewal date to ensure the cancellation processes in time. Check your bank statements or app store account for your exact renewal date, then mark a calendar reminder to cancel one week before.

Cancelling in the wrong place

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you must cancel through the App Store, not through Obsidian's website. Cancelling in the wrong place leaves your subscription active and does not stop the charge. Double-check your email receipts to see which platform charged you first, then cancel there. Tocancel advises keeping copies of all subscription receipts so you always know where to cancel.

Deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

Deleting the Obsidian app from your device does not cancel your subscription. The app is separate from the billing agreement. Obsidian will continue to charge you even if the app is no longer installed. You must explicitly cancel your subscription through the website or app store, not just delete the app.

Not saving your cancellation confirmation

If Obsidian disputes your cancellation later or charges you again, your confirmation email is your proof. Screenshot both the on-screen confirmation and the email receipt. Store these in a folder or note app so you can produce them if you need to escalate to the NCC.

Timeline: when your cancellation takes effect

Knowing exactly when your cancellation takes effect prevents surprise charges and helps you plan your next note-taking move.

If your renewal date is 1 March and you cancel on 25 February, your access ends on 1 March. You keep the paid features for the full billing period. If you want immediate access loss, cancel through the Obsidian website, not an app store.

How to request a refund if you paid outside the cooling-off period

Outside the 7-day cooling-off window, refunds are not automatic, but you have other options if the service was faulty or misdescribed.

Check if you qualify for a refund

You may request a refund if Obsidian's service did not work as advertised, if Sync failed to synchronise your notes, if Publish did not upload your vault, or if the service was down for extended periods. You do not qualify for a refund simply because you changed your mind (unless you are within 7 days of purchase). To build a strong case, document the fault with screenshots, dates, and descriptions of what went wrong.

Submit your refund request to Obsidian

Email Obsidian's support team at [email protected] with the subject line "Refund request for [your email address]". Include your Obsidian account email, subscription type (Sync or Publish), the dates you were charged, a description of the fault, and screenshots of the problem. Keep your email professional and factual. Obsidian typically responds within 5-10 business days. If they refuse, ask them to explain their decision in writing.

Escalate to the national consumer commission

If Obsidian refuses your refund and you believe the service was faulty, unfair, or misdescribed, you can lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission. The NCC is the South African government body responsible for enforcing the Consumer Protection Act. You can file a complaint online at www.ncc.org.za or call their helpline. Provide copies of your emails to Obsidian, your cancellation confirmation, bank statements showing the charge, and a clear explanation of why you believe the refund should be granted. The NCC investigates complaints and can compel Obsidian to refund you if the law is on your side.

When to keep your Obsidian subscription and when to cancel

Before you cancel, pause and ask whether the subscription is truly not worth your money.

Reasons to keep Obsidian sync

Keep Sync if you use Obsidian on more than one device (laptop, tablet, phone) and want your notes synchronised automatically. Sync costs roughly R 99 per month and removes the manual labour of copying files between devices. If you lose or upgrade a device, Sync protects your notes in the cloud. Keep Sync if you collaborate with others in shared vaults. Tocancel notes that users who work across multiple devices nearly always find Sync worth the cost within a month or two.

Reasons to keep Obsidian publish

Keep Publish if you publish notes publicly (for a blog, portfolio, or knowledge base) and want a professional web interface. Publish costs roughly R 99 per month. If you are not publishing notes or you publish rarely, cancel Publish and use Obsidian's free sharing options instead.

Reasons to cancel

Cancel Sync if you use Obsidian on only one device and do not need cloud backup. Cancel Publish if you are not actively sharing notes online. Cancel both if you have found a different note-taking app that you prefer or if the subscription cost no longer fits your budget. There is no shame in cancelling: Obsidian is free at its core, and you can always re-subscribe later if your needs change.

Checklist: your step-by-step cancellation plan

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel Obsidian smoothly and keep all the proof you need.

• Check your email for your most recent Obsidian receipt or app store charge.
• Identify where you subscribed: Obsidian website, Apple App Store, Google Play, or other.
• Find your renewal date in your account or bank statement.
• Export a backup of your vault to your computer or cloud storage.
• Go to the correct cancellation location (website or app store) and log in.
• Navigate to Subscriptions or Billing and select your active Obsidian plan.
• Click "Cancel subscription" and confirm when prompted.
• Screenshot the on-screen confirmation message.
• Wait 5-15 minutes and check your email (including spam) for a cancellation confirmation.
• Save the cancellation email in a folder or note app.
• Check your bank account 3-5 days after your renewal date to confirm no charge appears.
• If a charge appears after you cancelled, contact Obsidian support or your bank immediately.

Completing this checklist protects you and ensures you have proof of your cancellation if you ever need it.

Contact information for Obsidian support and escalation

If Obsidian refuses to cancel or process your refund, use this contact information to escalate your complaint.

Obsidian support

Email: [email protected]

Website: obsidian.md

Response time: typically 5-10 business days.

National consumer commission (South africa)

The National Consumer Commission enforces South African consumer protection law, including the ECT Act and Consumer Protection Act. Use the NCC when Obsidian fails to honour your cancellation or refund rights.

Website: www.ncc.org.za

Phone: 012 428 8000

Email complaints: [email protected]

Address: 2nd Floor, 323 Main Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001

Final word: take action with confidence

Cancelling your Obsidian subscription is your right, and South African law protects you throughout the process. You have a 7-day cooling-off period under the ECT Act, and if Obsidian fails to honour your cancellation or refund request, the National Consumer Commission has the power to compel them to comply. Whether you cancel because you prefer another app, because the cost no longer fits your budget, or because you want to use only the free core features, your decision is valid and lawful. Follow the step-by-step cancellation method for your platform, save your confirmation email, and mark your calendar to verify that no charge appears after your renewal date. Tocancel has helped thousands of South African consumers take control of their subscriptions and reclaim their money, and we are here to support you too. Take action today, and stop paying for services that no longer serve your needs.