How to cancel Roam Research subscription and avoid hidden charges in malaysia
What is Roam Research and why malaysians are cancelling
Roam Research is a subscription-based knowledge management tool that helps you link notes together in a graph-style format. Unlike traditional folder-based note apps, Roam Research connects your ideas through bidirectional links, daily notes, and visual graphs. This appeals to researchers, writers, students, and knowledge workers across Malaysia who want a more interconnected approach to managing information.
The service operates on a pay-only model with no free tier. You get a 31-day free trial, then move into paid billing. After your trial ends, Roam Research charges either RM71 per month or RM850 per year. For budget-conscious users in Malaysia, this represents a significant ongoing cost, and many cancel when the free trial period expires or when they realise the value does not match their workflow.
How Roam Research pricing works for malaysian subscribers
Roam Research does not display pricing in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) on its public-facing website. Instead, you see United States Dollar (USD) amounts. The conversion you need to know is approximately RM4.70 to USD 1.00. This means the monthly subscription costs around RM71 (USD 15), and the annual plan costs approximately RM850 (USD 180).
When you sign up, Roam Research offers you 31 days free. After day 31, your account automatically converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel before that date. This automatic transition is where most unintended charges occur. If you miss the cancellation deadline during your trial, Roam Research will bill your payment method on file immediately.
| Plan type |
Cost in USD |
Cost in MYR (approx.) |
Billing cycle |
Best for |
| Monthly subscription |
USD 15.00 |
RM71 |
Every 30 days |
Short-term users, trial period overflow |
| Annual subscription |
USD 180.00 |
RM850 |
Once per year |
Long-term commitment |
| Free trial |
Free |
Free |
31 days only |
New users testing the service |
Common reasons malaysians cancel Roam Research
The most frequent cancellation reason is cost-to-value mismatch. At RM71 monthly, Roam Research is pricier than competing note-taking apps, and the steep learning curve means casual users do not see enough benefit to justify the subscription. A secondary reason is accidental billing-users forget they are on a paid plan and do not realise a charge has hit their bank account until weeks later.
Some users also cancel because they migrate to alternative knowledge-management tools. Others find that simpler, free note-taking apps (like Obsidian, Joplin, or OneNote) suit their Malaysian workflow better. Whatever your reason, it is important to cancel promptly and confirm the cancellation went through so you avoid repeat charges.
Your legal rights when cancelling a software subscription in malaysia
Malaysia's consumer protection framework gives you specific rights when you cancel a digital subscription like Roam Research. Understanding these rights helps you enforce a successful cancellation and dispute any unauthorised charges.
Consumer protection act 1999 and distance contracts
Roam Research is a distance contract-you sign up remotely online, not face-to-face. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Malaysia's primary consumer legislation), you have the right to a cooling-off period. For distance contracts, you generally have 14 calendar days from the date you receive confirmation of your purchase to cancel without penalty or reason. However, this cooling-off window applies to the first purchase only.
Once your 31-day free trial converts to a paid subscription on day 32, the Consumer Protection Act still protects you, but the cooling-off period may have already expired. Consequently, you must then cancel under the service's own cancellation terms, which typically allow you to stop billing at any renewal date with notice.
Your legal position: You can cancel Roam Research at any time after your free trial. If you cancel within 14 days of your first paid charge, the Consumer Protection Act 1999 may entitle you to a refund. After 14 days, you can still cancel to stop future charges, but you may not recover the charge already taken. If Roam Research refuses to process your cancellation, you can escalate to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) or the local state consumer affairs office.
Roam Research terms of service and cancellation rights
Roam Research's own terms stipulate that you can manage your subscription through your account dashboard. The official terms state that cancellation is available on the web platform and through the iOS App Store and Google Play Store (if you subscribed via those channels). Nevertheless, Roam Research does not publish a click-by-click cancellation guide on its public website, which creates confusion for users.
In accordance with best practice and consumer law, Roam Research is obligated to make cancellation "as easy as the method you used to sign up." If you subscribed on the web, you should be able to cancel on the web. If you subscribed on Apple's App Store, you cancel through App Store settings. This obligation stems from Malaysia's interpretation of consumer fairness under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and EU distance-selling principles that many Malaysian regulators reference.
How to cancel Roam Research subscription step by step
Cancellation steps depend on where you originally signed up. This section walks you through each method. Pay close attention to your subscription source, because cancelling in the wrong place will not stop your billing.
Step 1: locate your original subscription method
Before you attempt to cancel, identify where you created your Roam Research subscription. Search your email inbox for the first receipt or confirmation message from Roam Research. The sender address will be [email protected] or [email protected]. Check the receipt to see whether it came from the web platform, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.
- Open your email client and search for "Roam Research" or "subscription confirmation".
- Look for an invoice or receipt with a date matching your sign-up date.
- Note the payment method and platform mentioned in the receipt (web, App Store, or Play Store).
- Take a screenshot of this confirmation and save it to a secure folder on your device.
Step 2: check your current billing status and renewal date
Log into your Roam Research account on the web at roamresearch.com. Navigate to your account settings or profile area. Look for a section labelled "Billing," "Subscription," or "Plans." Take a screenshot of your current plan name, renewal date, and payment method. This proof protects you if Roam Research disputes whether you successfully cancelled.
- Sign in to roamresearch.com with your account email and password.
- Click on your profile icon (usually top-right corner of the page).
- Select "Account," "Settings," or "Billing" from the dropdown menu.
- Record your next billing date, current plan type, and payment method.
- Save a screenshot to your device with the filename "Roam_billing_before_cancel.jpg".
Step 3: cancel via the web account dashboard
If you subscribed directly on the Roam Research website, you cancel through the same account dashboard. Look for a "Cancel subscription" button, "Delete plan," or "Manage subscription" link in the billing section. This method is the most straightforward and leaves a digital audit trail.
- Sign in to your Roam Research account at roamresearch.com.
- Go to Account > Billing or Account > Subscription (exact label may vary).
- Find the section showing your active plan and renewal date.
- Look for and click the "Cancel subscription" or "Downgrade plan" button.
- Roam Research will ask you to confirm your cancellation. Read any reason-selection prompts and select the option closest to your situation (if offered).
- Click the final "Confirm cancellation" button to complete the action.
- You will see a confirmation message on screen. Take a screenshot immediately as proof.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message from Roam Research within 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 4: cancel via apple app store (iPhone or iPad)
If you subscribed to Roam Research through Apple's App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through your App Store account settings, not through Roam Research's website. Apple App Store subscriptions are managed in iOS Settings, and cancelling on the web will not stop App Store charges.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions" (or "iTunes and App Store" > "Subscriptions" on older iOS versions).
- Find "Roam Research" in the list of active subscriptions.
- Tap "Roam Research" to open its subscription details page.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" or "Edit subscription" and then select "Cancel."
- Confirm your cancellation when prompted. Apple will ask you to choose a reason (optional).
- You will see a message confirming your subscription cancels at the end of your current billing period.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen.
Step 5: cancel via google play store (Android)
If you subscribed to Roam Research through Google Play Store on an Android device, you must cancel there. Similar to Apple, Google Play subscriptions operate independently from Roam Research's web platform, and web-only cancellation will not stop Google Play charges.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device (or visit play.google.com on a computer).
- Tap your profile icon (top-right corner).
- Select "Manage your Google Play account" or "Payments and subscriptions."
- Tap "Subscriptions."
- Find "Roam Research" in the list of active subscriptions.
- Tap "Roam Research" to view subscription details.
- Tap "Cancel subscription."
- Google Play will ask you to confirm and may offer you incentives to stay. Confirm cancellation by tapping "Cancel subscription" again.
- You will see confirmation that your subscription ends on your current billing date.
- Take a screenshot of this confirmation.
Step 6: contact Roam Research support if cancellation fails
If the web dashboard, App Store, or Google Play Store shows no cancel button, or if your cancellation does not go through, contact Roam Research directly. Email [email protected] with your account email address, a brief explanation that you wish to cancel your subscription, and the date you want the cancellation to take effect (typically "immediately").
- Open your email client and compose a new message to [email protected].
- Write a clear subject line: "Subscription cancellation request - [your email address]."
- In the body, include:
- Your Roam Research account email address.
- The date you signed up (month and year).
- Your current plan (monthly or annual).
- A statement: "I wish to cancel my Roam Research subscription effective immediately."
- Your payment method type (e.g., "credit card ending in 1234").
- Attach a screenshot of your billing page as proof of your account status.
- Send the email and save a copy to a folder for your records.
- Expect a response within 2 to 3 business days. Roam Research will confirm cancellation or request additional information.
- Reply with any requested information promptly and ask for a cancellation confirmation email.
What happens after you cancel Roam Research
Cancellation does not immediately delete your account or remove your access. Instead, you enter a "cancelled but active" state that lasts until your current billing period ends. Understanding this timeline prevents confusion and ensures you know exactly when your access stops.
Access timeline after cancellation
When you cancel Roam Research, your subscription continues until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on day 5 of a 30-day cycle, you retain full access for the remaining 25 days. Your next renewal charge will not be taken because you have cancelled. However, if you cancel on day 28 of a 30-day cycle, your access ends 2 days later, and no charge is made.
After your current cycle ends, you lose access to all Roam Research features. Your notes remain stored in Roam's servers, but you cannot read or edit them unless you resubscribe. This is why exporting your notes before cancellation is critical.
Export and back up your notes before the deadline
Roam Research allows you to export your data as a JSON file or markdown-formatted text. This export includes all your notes, links, and metadata. You have until the end of your billing cycle (the day your access stops) to download this export. After your account closes, Roam Research may delete your notes after a grace period (typically 30 to 90 days), though the company's exact deletion timeline is not publicly stated.
- Sign in to your Roam Research account.
- Go to Account > Export or similar (exact menu name may vary).
- Select "Export all" or choose specific notebooks to export.
- Choose your preferred export format (JSON or markdown).
- Download the export file and save it to your computer or cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox).
- Verify the file contains all your notes by opening it or checking its file size (a typical export is 1 MB to 10 MB depending on note volume).
- Create a backup copy and store it in two separate locations (e.g., your computer and a cloud drive).
Can you get a refund after cancelling Roam Research
Refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and whether you fall within Malaysia's cooling-off period under the Consumer Protection Act 1999.
Refund within the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel Roam Research within 14 calendar days of your first paid charge (the day your free trial ended and you were first billed), you are entitled to a full refund of that charge under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. This applies only to your first paid transaction, not to subsequent monthly or annual renewals.
To request this refund, contact [email protected] with your cancellation confirmation number (or screenshots) and a simple statement: "I am requesting a refund under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, as I am within the 14-day cooling-off period for this distance contract." Roam Research should process this refund within 14 days of receiving your request.
Refund after the 14-day period
If you cancel more than 14 days after your first paid charge, you generally do not qualify for a refund of charges already taken. However, you can cancel to stop future billing. This is standard practice for subscription services under Malaysia's consumer law-once you have used a service beyond the cooling-off period, charges are final.
The exception is if Roam Research charged you without consent (e.g., your card was charged even though you cancelled) or if the charge was fraudulent. In these cases, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback. You can also escalate the dispute to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) if Roam Research refuses to respond.
Disputed charges and chargebacks
If Roam Research continues to charge you after you cancelled, or if you cancelled but still see a charge on your bank statement, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Request a chargeback (a formal dispute of the charge). Your bank will investigate and typically reverse the charge within 30 to 60 days if it finds the charge was unauthorised.
Provide your bank with screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and any email correspondence with Roam Research showing you requested cancellation. Do not ignore unexpected charges; banks favour customers who dispute suspicious activity quickly.
| Refund scenario |
Eligible |
Process |
Timeline |
| Cancel within 14 days of first charge |
Yes (full refund) |
Email support + cite Consumer Protection Act 1999 |
14 days |
| Cancel after 14 days, no further charges |
No refund; billing stops |
Cancellation alone stops future charges |
Immediate |
| Continued charges after cancellation |
Yes (dispute via bank) |
Request chargeback from your bank |
30 to 60 days |
| Fraudulent or unauthorised charge |
Yes (chargeback + complaint to MDTCA) |
Bank chargeback + Ministry complaint |
30 to 60 days plus investigation |
Common mistakes when cancelling Roam Research
Rest assured, cancellation mistakes are reversible. The most frequent error is cancelling in the wrong place, but the steps below show you how to recover quickly.
Cancelling on the web when you subscribed via app store
Many users assume they can cancel anywhere. In reality, if you signed up through Apple's App Store, cancelling on the Roam Research website does nothing. Your App Store subscription continues to charge monthly. The fix is straightforward: go to your iPhone or iPad settings, find Subscriptions, and cancel Roam Research there immediately. Once done, follow up with an email to [email protected] confirming your App Store cancellation and requesting a pro-rata refund for any overlap charge (if applicable).
Forgetting to save your notes before access ends
You have until the end of your billing cycle to export your notes. After your account closes, Roam Research may restrict your access to downloaded exports. If you missed the export deadline and your account is now closed, email [email protected] immediately. Explain that you cancelled but did not export your notes and request a temporary access extension (typically 7 to 14 days) to allow you to download your data. While Roam Research is not obligated to grant this, they often do for goodwill, especially if your account is recent.
Not confirming cancellation in writing
If you cancel through the web dashboard or app, screenshots are your proof. However, if you email support to cancel, send a follow-up email asking for a cancellation confirmation. This creates a paper trail. If a dispute arises later (e.g., Roam Research charges you again), you can cite these emails to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) or your bank.
Waiting until the day before your renewal to cancel
Many subscription apps process charges at 11:59 PM on the renewal date. If you attempt to cancel on the renewal day itself, the charge may already have gone through. Cancel at least 1 day before your renewal date to ensure the cancellation takes effect before the new charge is processed. Check your billing page for the exact renewal time in your timezone (Roam Research typically uses US Eastern Time unless your account is configured otherwise).
How yafee helps you manage software cancellations
At Yafee (yafee.com), we specialise in helping Malaysian consumers navigate subscription cancellations like Roam Research. Our platform makes it easy to track your subscriptions, understand your cancellation rights, and follow step-by-step instructions tailored to each service. Yafee breaks down the legal framework (such as the Consumer Protection Act 1999) into plain language so you know exactly what you are entitled to.
Yafee also provides templates for cancellation emails, refund requests, and dispute letters. If Roam Research refuses to honour your cancellation, Yafee guides you through the escalation process, including how to file a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. Many users turn to Yafee when they discover repeat charges or when they need proof of cancellation to dispute a charge with their bank.
By using Yafee, you avoid the common pitfall of cancelling in the wrong place or missing your cooling-off window. Yafee's reminders keep you on track, and our cancellation tracker shows you the status of each subscription so nothing slips through. Whether you are cancelling Roam Research or managing dozens of other subscriptions, Yafee helps you stay organised and protect your money.
Checklist for cancelling Roam Research successfully
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every step before final cancellation.
- Confirm your subscription source (web, App Store, or Google Play Store).
- Export all your notes and save them to at least two locations (your computer and a cloud drive).
- Take a screenshot of your current billing page showing your plan, renewal date, and payment method.
- Check today's date and calculate your 14-day cooling-off deadline (if applicable).
- Cancel through the correct platform:
- Web: Log in to roamresearch.com, go to Billing, click "Cancel subscription."
- App Store: Settings > Subscriptions > Roam Research > Cancel Subscription.
- Google Play: Play Store app > Profile > Subscriptions > Roam Research > Cancel.
- Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation message.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Roam Research within 10 minutes. Save this email.
- If you received a confirmation, you are done; no further action is needed unless a charge appears.
- If no confirmation arrives, email [email protected] with your account details and a cancellation request.
- If you qualify for a refund (within 14 days of first charge), email [email protected] citing the Consumer Protection Act 1999 cooling-off period.
- Monitor your bank or credit card statement for the next 5 to 10 days to confirm no new charge appears.
- If an unauthorised charge appears after cancellation, contact your bank and request a chargeback within 60 days.
Roam Research does not maintain a published physical office address in Malaysia. All customer support is conducted digitally. However, the company is registered in the United States and serves global customers, including Malaysia.
Contact details
Email support: [email protected]
Official website: roamresearch.com
FAQ and help documentation: roamresearch.com/faq and roamdocs.fyi/help/faq
If Roam Research does not respond
If Roam Research fails to honour your cancellation or refuses to process a refund, you can escalate to Malaysia's consumer protection authority.
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA): Write to your local state consumer affairs office or contact the MDTCA's Federal Territory office. Provide a written complaint detailing your cancellation request, the dates involved, and any email correspondence. The MDTCA can investigate and pressure Roam Research to comply with Malaysian consumer law.
Your bank or credit card issuer: If a charge appears after cancellation, contact your bank's dispute team and request a chargeback. Banks in Malaysia (Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, and others) offer dispute resolution within 60 days of an unauthorised charge.
Yafee (yafee.com) has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions like Roam Research and recover unauthorised charges by guiding them through these exact steps. Whether you are disputing a charge, requesting a refund, or simply trying to turn off billing, Yafee's platform and expert guidance simplify the process and protect your money. Take action today, and you will have peace of mind knowing your cancellation is complete.