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. Understanding your options and your legal rights puts the power back in your hands. Yafee specialises in helping New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations like Starapps, and we've seen thousands successfully reclaim money through the right channels.
How Starapps bills you
Starapps subscriptions are sold through three different payment channels, and your cancellation method depends on where you paid. Each channel has its own billing system and cancellation process, which matters because if you cancel in the wrong place, you might think you've stopped the subscription when charges continue elsewhere.
| Payment channel |
Billing entity |
Cancellation location |
| Direct web purchase |
Starapps (via credit or debit card) |
Starapps website account settings |
| Apple App Store |
Apple Inc. |
Apple Account on iOS device or web |
| PayPal |
PayPal Inc. |
PayPal account settings |
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. Yafee recommends documenting every charge and cancellation attempt, because evidence is your strongest tool if you need to escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank.
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. Furthermore, if you purchased through Apple App Store or PayPal, those platforms have their own refund windows (typically 14 to 15 days). This is separate from what Starapps itself offers, and you can use either route if the first fails.
Your legal position: The Consumer Guarantees Act applies automatically to all digital services sold to New Zealand consumers, regardless of what Starapps's own terms say. You do not need to prove fault; you only need to show the service does not match its description or is unfit for purpose.
Cooling-off and distance-selling rules
If you purchased Starapps online (which you did), you have a 14-day cooling-off period under distance-selling rules. 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.
Yafee always advises keeping your purchase confirmation email and all correspondence as proof of your cancellation request. Screenshots of your account, transaction history, and any emails from Starapps support are essential if you need to escalate.
How to cancel based on your payment method
Your next steps depend entirely on which payment method you used when you signed up for Starapps.
Cancel a direct web purchase through the Starapps website
If you paid directly on the StarApps Studio website using your credit or debit card, follow these steps to request cancellation.
- Log in to your Starapps account at the StarApps Studio website
- Use your email and password associated with your subscription
- If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and reset via email
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management page
- Look for a menu option such as "Billing", "Subscription", "Account", or "Settings"
- The exact label varies by app version and updates
- Locate your active subscription and select "Cancel subscription" or "Downgrade"
- Do not simply stop using the app; you must submit a formal cancellation request
- Note the date you submit this request for your records
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm cancellation
- Starapps may offer a discount or pause option; ignore these if you want to cancel outright
- Complete the cancellation process to generate a confirmation
- Save or screenshot the cancellation confirmation page
- If no confirmation appears, request a confirmation email from Starapps support
- Contact them via https://www.starapps.io/contact-us or the email address in your account
- Verify that billing stops in your next billing cycle
- Check your bank statement or credit card statement 5 to 10 days after cancellation
- If a charge appears after you cancelled, contact Starapps immediately with your cancellation proof
Cancel a subscription through apple app store
If you signed up or are currently subscribed through the Apple App Store, Apple controls the billing and cancellation process.
- Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple device
- Alternatively, log in to your Apple ID account online at appleid.apple.com
- Navigate to your account section (usually a profile icon in the top right corner)
- Tap "Subscriptions" or "Manage subscriptions"
- You will see all active subscriptions and trials
- Find Starapps in the list and tap it
- The subscription status should show as "Active" or "Free Trial"
- Select "Cancel subscription" or "Turn off auto-renewal"
- Apple will ask you to confirm and may offer alternatives
- Proceed with cancellation
- Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation
- Apple will state the date your access ends and when auto-renewal stops
- Verify the change in your Apple ID Billing settings
- Return to Subscriptions after 24 hours and confirm Starapps no longer appears as active
Cancel a subscription through PayPal
If you linked your PayPal account to Starapps, you must cancel the subscription through PayPal's portal.
- Log in to your PayPal account at paypal.com
- Use your email address and password
- Navigate to Settings (usually accessed via a gear icon or account menu)
- Select "Payments" or "Subscriptions and agreements"
- Find the Starapps subscription in your list
- It may be listed under the merchant name "Starapps", "StarApps Studio", or a similar variant
- Select the subscription and choose "Cancel"
- PayPal will ask you to confirm the cancellation
- Complete the process
- Download or screenshot the cancellation confirmation from PayPal
- PayPal will display the date the subscription ends
- Monitor your PayPal account for any further charges
- If Starapps attempts to charge after cancellation, PayPal allows you to dispute the transaction
Refunds and your entitlements after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription does not automatically mean you receive a refund; your entitlement depends on when you cancel and your circumstances.
14-day cooling-off refund
If you purchased Starapps within the last 14 days and haven't substantially used the service, you have the right to a full refund under distance-selling protections. Substantially used means you have not created multiple applications, uploaded significant data, or tested core features extensively. To claim this refund, contact Starapps support in writing (email or the contact form at https://www.starapps.io/contact-us) and reference the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. State clearly that you are exercising your cooling-off right and request a refund to your original payment method within 7 to 14 days.
Yafee advises using a formal tone and keeping a copy of your email. If Starapps refuses or does not respond within 10 business days, escalate to the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz), which enforces consumer law in New Zealand.
Refund after 14 days
After 14 days, you can still claim a refund if you can demonstrate that Starapps has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act. For example, if the app crashes frequently, fails to load, or does not provide the features advertised, the service is not of acceptable quality. In this case, contact Starapps with evidence (screenshots of errors, date and time of failures, and a summary of what went wrong) and request a refund. If they refuse, escalate to the Commerce Commission with the same evidence.
Partial refund for unused time
Some subscription services offer a pro-rata (partial) refund if you cancel mid-billing cycle. Starapps does not appear to offer this as standard, but you can request it in writing. Email Starapps and ask if they will refund the unused portion of your current billing period. There is no legal obligation for them to do so after the 14-day cooling-off period, but it is worth asking, especially if you cancel early in your cycle.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Starapps
Cancellation is straightforward once you know the right steps, but a few missteps can delay the process or leave you paying unexpectedly.
Mistake 1: cancelling in the wrong place
The single most common error is attempting to cancel through one payment channel when your subscription is active on another. For example, if you signed up via the Apple App Store, cancelling your Starapps website account does nothing. You must cancel where you pay. Check your bank or credit card statement to identify which channel is billing you, then cancel there.
Mistake 2: failing to document your cancellation
Many consumers assume that clicking "Cancel" is enough. Always take a screenshot of the confirmation page or request a confirmation email. If a charge appears after you cancelled, you will need proof that you submitted the cancellation request. Without it, disputing the charge is much harder.
Mistake 3: not monitoring your account after cancellation
Cancellation does not always take effect immediately. Some services cancel at the end of your billing cycle, others immediately. Check your bank statement 5 to 10 days after cancellation to confirm that no further charges appear. If a charge does appear after your cancellation request, contact your bank or credit card issuer and ask them to dispute it on the grounds that you cancelled the subscription.
Mistake 4: deleting your account instead of cancelling
Deleting your account is not the same as cancelling your subscription. You can delete your account while still being billed, or cancel your subscription while keeping your account active. Always cancel the subscription first; deleting the account is a separate step and can actually prevent you from accessing cancellation records later.
What happens after you cancel Starapps
Once your cancellation is confirmed, several things occur in sequence, and understanding the timeline helps you stay in control.
Immediate effects
When you submit your cancellation request, you remain a paying customer until the end of your current billing cycle. For example, if you pay monthly and you cancel on the 15th of the month, you typically retain access until the last day of that month. Some services revoke access immediately; check your cancellation confirmation to confirm the exact end date for your access.
Billing and final charges
Billing stops at the end of your current cycle. If your billing date is in 10 days and you cancel today, you will not be charged in 10 days. However, if your billing date was yesterday and you cancel today, you have already been charged for the next cycle. In this scenario, request a refund from Starapps or your payment provider within 30 days of the charge. Yafee can help you draft that request.
Data and account access after cancellation
Once your subscription ends, you lose access to the Starapps platform and any applications you created there. Before cancelling, export any critical work or data from your account. Some services offer a grace period or export feature; check Starapps's account settings to see if this option is available. After your access ends, you cannot retrieve data directly, so act before your subscription fully expires.
Pricing and subscription options for Starapps
Understanding Starapps's pricing structure helps you identify whether you are paying for the right plan or if you should cancel and downgrade instead.
| Plan name |
Monthly cost (NZD) |
Key features |
Best for |
| Free trial |
$0 for 14 days |
Full access to building tools; limited deployment |
Testing the platform |
| Starter |
$9.99 |
1 app, basic features, Starapps branding |
Hobbyists and first-time builders |
| Professional |
$29.99 |
5 apps, custom branding, analytics |
Small businesses |
| Enterprise |
From $99.99 |
Unlimited apps, priority support, API access |
Agencies and large teams |
If you are paying for Professional or Enterprise and only need Starter, consider downgrading instead of cancelling completely. This keeps your account active and avoids the cooling-off period rules. To downgrade, log into your account and select the lower plan. You will be refunded the pro-rata difference immediately.
When to cancel versus when to keep Starapps
Before you cancel, assess whether the service still meets your needs or if a different approach might work better.
Reasons to cancel
Cancel Starapps if you no longer need to build apps, if you've switched to a competitor with more features, if the cost outweighs the value you receive, or if the service has degraded in quality (crashes, slow performance, missing features you relied on). Additionally, if you signed up for a free trial and it converted to a paid subscription without your explicit consent, you have grounds to cancel and claim a refund. Yafee recommends cancelling if you also find that customer support is unresponsive or if your apps are not performing as expected in the app stores.
Reasons to keep Starapps
Keep Starapps if you actively develop apps, if the cost is justified by the features you use, or if you are still testing the platform. If you are on a Free Trial that ends soon, upgrading to Starter (NZD $9.99 per month) might be a low-cost way to maintain your apps without fully committing. You can also pause your subscription on some accounts by contacting support; this prevents charges but keeps your account intact.
Escalation: what to do if Starapps refuses to cancel or refund
If Starapps ignores your cancellation request, continues charging you after you cancelled, or refuses a refund you are entitled to, escalate your complaint formally.
Step 1: contact Starapps support in writing
Send a formal email to Starapps support (https://www.starapps.io/contact-us) or the address shown in your confirmation email. State your issue clearly: "I cancelled my subscription on [date]. I have received charges after this date and request a full refund." Attach screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and the unwanted charges. Give Starapps 10 business days to respond.
Step 2: dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider
If Starapps does not respond or refuses your request, contact your bank, credit card issuer, or PayPal and file a dispute or chargeback. Provide your cancellation proof and explain that you cancelled the subscription but were charged anyway. Your bank or payment provider can reverse the transaction and often imposes penalties on the merchant. This process takes 10 to 20 business days but is highly effective.
Step 3: escalate to the commerce commission
If the charge is still unresolved after your bank's investigation, lodge a complaint with the New Zealand Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz. The Commerce Commission enforces the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and can compel Starapps to refund you if they find a breach. Yafee advises including all documentation: your purchase confirmation, cancellation request, screenshots of charges, bank statements, and proof of any support correspondence. The Commission investigates complaints at no cost to you.
Key takeaways and your next steps
Cancelling Starapps is straightforward when you follow the right channel for your payment method. Identify whether you paid via the Starapps website, Apple App Store, or PayPal; log into that account; and cancel your subscription there. Keep a screenshot of the confirmation, monitor your statement for unwanted charges, and request a refund if you cancelled within 14 days or if the service breached the Consumer Guarantees Act.
If Starapps refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, dispute the charge with your bank or escalate to the Commerce Commission. New Zealand law protects you as a consumer, and these enforcement bodies take complaints seriously. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel subscriptions, recover refunds, and understand their legal rights. If you need additional guidance on your specific situation, Yafee's resources and guides are available at yafee.com.
Contact address for escalation
If you need to send a formal cancellation or complaint letter by post, Starapps is registered at the following address in Belgium (the only address currently available):
Starapps
Rue du Trône 60
1050 Brussels
Belgium
Note that this address is outside New Zealand, which may complicate postal escalation. Email contact through https://www.starapps.io/contact-us is strongly preferred, as it is faster and creates a digital record. If you do not receive a response within 10 business days, proceed directly to disputing the charge with your bank or filing a complaint with the Commerce Commission.
Helpful checklist before you cancel
| Action |
Status |
| Export any critical data or apps from Starapps |
[ ] Completed |
| Identify which payment channel is billing you (website, Apple, or PayPal) |
[ ] Identified |
| Log into the correct account (Starapps, Apple ID, or PayPal) |
[ ] Logged in |
| Submit cancellation request and take a screenshot |
[ ] Completed |
| Save or request a confirmation email from Starapps or your payment provider |
[ ] Saved |
| Check your bank statement 5-10 days later for unexpected charges |
[ ] Checked |
Yafee stands ready to support your cancellation journey. Visit yafee.com for more subscription guides, escalation templates, and tips on protecting your consumer rights in New Zealand.