How to cancel Vimeo in new zealand and protect your consumer rights
What Vimeo is and why cancellation matters
Vimeo is a professional video hosting, streaming and monetisation platform used by filmmakers, marketing teams, small businesses and independent creators across New Zealand and globally. The service offers advanced privacy controls, video-on-demand capabilities, collaboration tools and portfolio hosting that extend well beyond its free Basic tier.
When your creative needs shift, your budget tightens or you discover a better alternative, cancelling your Vimeo subscription requires precision. Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you purchased your subscription, and timing your cancellation correctly ensures you avoid unwanted charges. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate platform cancellations safely and securely, and this guide ensures you do the same.
Who uses Vimeo and when to cancel
Professional videographers rely on Vimeo for client hosting and private sharing. Small business owners use it for marketing campaigns. Independent filmmakers choose it for its creator-friendly monetisation tools. If you no longer need these features, or your subscription no longer fits your workflow or budget, cancelling before your next billing cycle makes financial sense.
Why cancellation timing matters
Vimeo charges your payment method on your renewal date. If you cancel after your billing date has passed, you will be charged for the next cycle before your cancellation takes effect. Cancelling at least 48 hours before your renewal date protects you from unexpected charges. Yafee recommends checking your next billing date immediately-you will find this in your account settings or most recent invoice.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
New Zealand consumer law gives you specific protections when you cancel a subscription, regardless of Vimeo's stated terms.
Consumer guarantees act protections
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is your primary legal safeguard. Under this Act, any service you purchase-including digital subscriptions-must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and delivered with reasonable care and skill. If Vimeo's service is unreliable, fails to perform as described or breaches your reasonable expectations, you have the right to demand a refund, replacement or repair. These rights cannot be waived by Vimeo's terms and conditions.
The Act applies to all subscriptions purchased directly from Vimeo using a New Zealand payment method. Keep records of your purchase, billing statements and any correspondence about service issues. If Vimeo refuses to refund you following a service failure, you can escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission (www.comcom.govt.nz), New Zealand's consumer protection regulator.
Your legal position when cancelling
You have the right to: cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, request a refund if you cancel within 14 days of purchase (unless you have used a significant portion of the service), demand a refund immediately if the service fails to meet the guarantees in the Consumer Guarantees Act, and receive a clear confirmation of your cancellation date and any refund due.
Vimeo cannot: charge you after your cancellation is confirmed, lock you out of your account before your paid period ends (unless you breach their terms), or refuse a refund based solely on their terms of service if the service has failed.
In-app purchase protections for apple and google
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you are protected by both Apple's and Google's refund policies AND New Zealand consumer law. Both platforms must comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act. You can request refunds directly through their systems, and both companies have separate dispute resolution processes. Yafee advises that your rights through these platforms are cumulative-consumer law does not disappear because you used an intermediary.
How to cancel Vimeo depending on your subscription type
Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you purchased your subscription.
If you subscribed via vimeo's website or desktop app
Direct subscriptions purchased through Vimeo.com are cancelled through your Vimeo account settings.
- Log into your Vimeo account at vimeo.com
- Use the email address and password associated with your subscription.
- Navigate to your account settings by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner
- Select "Account" or "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Find the "Billing" or "Subscription" section
- This section displays your current plan, next renewal date and payment method.
- Locate the "Cancel subscription" or "Downgrade" button
- Vimeo may offer you a discounted plan before allowing you to cancel. You can decline this offer and proceed to cancellation.
- Confirm your cancellation
- Vimeo will ask you to confirm your cancellation and may ask for feedback. Complete this step entirely-do not close the page mid-process.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation
- Vimeo will send you a confirmation email within minutes. If you do not receive this email within one hour, log back into your account to verify the cancellation was processed.
Access after cancellation: You will retain access to your paid features until the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, your account will revert to the free Basic plan.
If you subscribed via apple app store (iPhone or iPad)
App Store subscriptions must be cancelled through your Apple device settings, not through the Vimeo app itself or website.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
- Do not use the Vimeo app to cancel.
- Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen
- This is usually your name or email address.
- Select "Subscriptions"
- You will see a list of all active subscriptions on your Apple ID.
- Find Vimeo in the list and tap it
- If Vimeo is not visible, scroll down or search for it.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription"
- Apple will ask you to confirm. Proceed with the confirmation.
- Verify the cancellation by returning to your subscriptions list
- Vimeo should no longer appear, or it should show "Expires" with your renewal date.
Critical warning: Simply deleting the Vimeo app from your device will not cancel your subscription. Charges will continue indefinitely until you cancel through Settings. Yafee strongly recommends setting a phone reminder to check your subscriptions once a month-this prevents accidental charges.
If you subscribed via google play store (Android)
Google Play subscriptions must be cancelled through Google Play settings, not the Vimeo app.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
- Use the device where you originally subscribed, if possible.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner
- This opens the main menu.
- Select "Subscriptions"
- You will see your active subscriptions.
- Tap Vimeo in the list
- This opens your Vimeo subscription details page.
- Tap "Cancel subscription"
- Google Play will ask you to confirm and may offer retention incentives. Proceed with cancellation.
- Confirm your cancellation by reading the final prompt
- Your cancellation is now active.
Refund timing: Google Play processes refunds to your original payment method within 5 to 7 business days. Check your bank account and contact your bank if the refund does not appear within two weeks.
Vimeo pricing and subscription tiers
Understanding Vimeo's pricing structure helps you decide whether cancellation is the right choice for your budget.
| Plan |
Monthly NZD |
Annual NZD |
Best for |
Storage limit |
Cancellation difficulty |
| Plus |
$29 |
$290 |
Individual creators and freelancers |
1 TB per year |
Easy-recommended entry plan |
| Pro |
$75 |
$750 |
Small business teams and marketing agencies |
2 TB per year |
Easy |
| Business |
$240 |
$2400 |
Enterprise-level creators and production studios |
5 TB per year |
Requires account owner approval |
| Premium (legacy) |
$200 |
$1900 |
High-volume professional creators |
Unlimited |
Easy |
| Free (Basic) |
$0 |
$0 |
Hobbyists and content exploration |
500 MB per week |
No cancellation needed |
If your budget is tight and you rarely upload videos, downgrading to the Free plan is an alternative to full cancellation. You retain your account and portfolio without paying fees. Contact Vimeo's support team if you wish to downgrade rather than cancel.
Should you cancel Vimeo or downgrade instead
Cancellation is permanent-you lose access to your content unless you download it first.
Reasons to cancel rather than downgrade
You should cancel if you are switching to a different video hosting platform permanently, you no longer create or share video content, or Vimeo's service has failed repeatedly and you want to end the relationship entirely. Cancellation removes all billing relationships between you and Vimeo and ensures no future charges can occur.
Reasons to downgrade instead of cancel
Downgrading to the Free plan is wise if you wish to keep your portfolio online, you occasionally upload content, or you are taking a temporary break from creating. Downgrading preserves your video library and allows you to resubscribe to a paid plan without losing access to your existing videos. Yafee advises that downgrading is reversible-cancellation is not.
After cancellation: what happens to your content and account
Understanding what happens after you cancel prevents surprises and lost work.
Access to your videos after cancellation
Once your paid subscription ends, your account downgrades to the Free plan automatically. You retain access to all your videos and can download them before your access changes. Some paid features-such as private sharing links, advanced analytics and video monetisation-become unavailable immediately after cancellation. If you have embedded videos on external websites, they will continue to play as long as they remain public or the embed code remains valid.
Downloading your content before cancellation
Download your complete video library before cancellation if you plan to migrate to another platform. Vimeo charges per download in some circumstances, so verify your account's download allowance before proceeding. You can download videos individually through your library or request a bulk export if you have many files. This process typically takes 24 to 48 hours.
Data retention and your privacy
Vimeo retains your account data for 90 days after cancellation. If you change your mind and resubscribe within this window, your videos and account settings remain intact. After 90 days, Vimeo may delete your account and associated content permanently. If you wish to delete your account immediately, contact Vimeo's support team-do not rely on cancellation alone to remove your personal data.
Refunds: what you are entitled to
Your entitlement to a refund depends on when you cancel and whether the service has failed.
Refunds within 14 days of purchase
New Zealand consumer law implies a 14-day refund right for digital services if you have not used a substantial portion of the service. Vimeo's own policy typically aligns with this. If you cancel within 14 days of your purchase and have uploaded minimal content or used the platform minimally, you are entitled to a refund of your subscription fee. Request this refund when you cancel or contact Vimeo's support team within the 14-day window.
Refunds after 14 days due to service failure
After 14 days, you are entitled to a refund only if Vimeo's service has failed to meet the Consumer Guarantees Act standards. Examples include: the platform is frequently unavailable or crashes, videos fail to upload despite meeting technical specifications, video quality degrades significantly, or promised features are removed mid-subscription without compensation. Document every issue with screenshots and timestamps. Contact Vimeo's support team in writing (email preferred) and state that you are requesting a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. If Vimeo refuses, escalate to the Commerce Commission.
Refund processing timelines
Vimeo typically processes refunds to your original payment method within 7 to 14 business days. If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, refunds pass through those platforms first and may take an additional 5 to 7 days. Check your bank or payment provider if a refund does not appear within three weeks. Yafee advises that you keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof-this is essential if you need to dispute a missing refund with your bank.
Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation
Thousands of New Zealand consumers encounter cancellation obstacles by accident. Understanding these traps keeps you ahead.
Deleting the app without cancelling the subscription
The most common and costly mistake is deleting the Vimeo app from your phone, then assuming you have cancelled. You have not. Your subscription remains active and you will be charged on your renewal date. Charges will continue indefinitely until you cancel through your device's settings (Apple Settings or Google Play Store settings, not the app itself).
Cancelling on the wrong platform
If you subscribed via Apple App Store but attempt to cancel through Vimeo.com, your cancellation will fail. Apple App Store subscriptions can only be cancelled through Apple Settings. Similarly, Google Play subscriptions can only be cancelled through Google Play settings. Check your most recent invoice or billing email to confirm which platform charged you, then cancel on that platform only.
Cancelling after your renewal date
Cancelling on or after your renewal date means you will be charged for the next billing cycle before your cancellation takes effect. If your renewal date is 15 March, and you cancel on 15 March, you will be charged for the next month. Cancel at least 48 hours before your renewal date.
Not confirming cancellation in writing
If you cancel through email or customer support chat, demand a written confirmation of your cancellation and the exact date it becomes effective. Screenshot the confirmation or forward the email to yourself. Without this proof, Vimeo may claim you never cancelled if a charge appears later on your account.
Escalation: what to do if Vimeo refuses to cancel or refund
Vimeo's customer support is generally responsive, but disputes do occur.
Step one: contact Vimeo support in writing
Send an email to Vimeo's support team (use the contact form at vimeo.com/help) stating that you wish to cancel your subscription effective immediately. Include your account email, username and subscription plan. Request written confirmation of your cancellation and any refund eligibility. Keep a copy of this email.
Step two: escalate to the commerce commission if Vimeo refuses
If Vimeo refuses to cancel your subscription or denies a legitimate refund request, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission (www.comcom.govt.nz). The Commerce Commission investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and can compel refunds. You must provide your original cancellation request, Vimeo's refusal, and evidence of any service failure. Yafee recommends this step if Vimeo delays cancellation by more than two billing cycles.
Step three: dispute the charge with your bank
If Vimeo continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank or payment provider and dispute the transaction as "unauthorized." Provide your cancellation confirmation and any communication from Vimeo. Your bank can reverse the charge and investigate Vimeo's conduct. This action does not preclude further complaints to the Commerce Commission.
Vimeo cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and legally protected.
| Action |
Deadline |
Status |
| Check your next renewal date in account settings |
Before cancelling |
Completed |
| Download all videos to an external hard drive or cloud storage |
Before cancelling |
Completed |
| Identify where you subscribed (Vimeo.com, Apple App Store, or Google Play) |
Before cancelling |
Completed |
| Cancel 48 hours before your renewal date |
2 days before renewal |
Completed |
| Take a screenshot or forward confirmation email to yourself |
Within one hour of cancelling |
Completed |
| Verify no charge appears on your next renewal date |
After your renewal date passes |
Completed |
Vimeo does not operate a dedicated New Zealand office, but you can contact the global support team through the channels below.
Email support
Use the help form at vimeo.com/help to submit a written cancellation request. Select "Account and Billing" as the issue category. Vimeo responds to support requests within 24 to 48 business hours.
Mailing address for formal cancellation notices
If you require formal written cancellation, you may send a registered letter to Vimeo's corporate address in New York:
Vimeo, Inc.
555 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
United States
Include your Vimeo account email, username and subscription plan. Request written confirmation of cancellation. Allow 10 to 15 business days for a response. This method is slower than online cancellation but creates a formal, documented record if you later need to dispute a charge or escalate to the Commerce Commission.
Commerce commission (New zealand consumer regulator)
If Vimeo refuses to cancel or refund you, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission at www.comcom.govt.nz or call 0800 94 6040. Provide your account details, cancellation request, Vimeo's refusal, and any evidence of service failure. The Commission investigates for free and can compel Vimeo to refund you.
Your next steps
Cancelling your Vimeo subscription is straightforward when you follow the correct procedure for your subscription type. Identify where you purchased your subscription, cancel at least 48 hours before your renewal date, download your videos first, and retain written confirmation of your cancellation. If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, cancel through your device settings-not the Vimeo app or website. If Vimeo refuses to cancel or refund you following a service failure, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you, and the Commerce Commission will investigate your complaint at no cost. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations safely and securely, and this guide ensures you avoid costly mistakes and preserve your legal rights. Start by checking your next renewal date now-this single action prevents unwanted charges and gives you control over your subscription.