Freelancer.com is a global online marketplace where you hire freelancers or offer your services across design, programming, writing, digital marketing and hundreds of other disciplines. The platform operates through tiered membership subscriptions, project bidding systems, milestone payments held in escrow, and competitive contests. You pay in Singapore Dollars (SGD), and your local registered entity is Freelancer.com Pte. Ltd., based at 1 Harbourfront Avenue, Singapore.
You might cancel your membership for legitimate reasons: your project has finished, you have assembled an in-house team, platform fees no longer justify your usage, or you prefer a competing service. Understanding your cancellation rights under Singapore law and following the correct procedural steps protects your money and prevents unexpected charges. Yafee has guided thousands of Singapore-based professionals through subscription cancellations with clarity and legal precision.
How Freelancer.com memberships work
Freelancer.com sells tiered memberships (Basic, Plus, Premium and Elite) that unlock monthly bid allowances, skill showcase slots, contest entry credits and client outreach features. Memberships renew automatically on your billing anniversary unless you cancel before the cycle completes. In addition to recurring subscriptions, you may hold project deposits, milestone payments in escrow, and one-time verification badge fees, each carrying separate refund conditions.
When to cancel versus downgrade
Cancellation permanently closes your membership and ends all recurring charges. If you use Freelancer.com infrequently but still value occasional access, downgrading to a lower tier often costs less than cancelling and re-registering later. Yafee recommends auditing your actual platform usage and return on investment (ROI) before submitting a cancellation request, as reinstating an account involves reapplying and re-verifying your identity.
Your legal position under singapore consumer law
Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act governs digital service subscriptions and sets clear obligations on providers like Freelancer.com.
What the consumer protection (Fair trading) act protects
Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, Freelancer.com must provide you with transparent, accurate information about charges, billing cycles, renewal dates and cancellation procedures before you subscribe. The company must not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct regarding fees, features or refund eligibility. You retain the right to dispute unauthorised charges, and you can escalate complaints to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) or file a chargeback through your bank if Freelancer.com continues billing you after a valid cancellation request.
Critically, Singapore does not mandate an automatic cooling-off period (sometimes called a "14-day return window") for digital services once delivery or access begins. Consequently, Freelancer.com's standard "no refund on membership fees" policy is legally enforceable. Nevertheless, this does not prevent you from cancelling future renewals or disputing charges you claim were unauthorised or misleading.
Your legal position
You have the right to cancel your Freelancer.com membership at any time before the next billing date. Once you cancel, Freelancer.com must not charge you again unless you explicitly re-subscribe. If the company charges you after cancellation, you can file a dispute with your credit card issuer, bank, or e-wallet provider. Yafee advises saving all cancellation confirmations, email receipts and billing statements as evidence should you need to escalate a dispute to CASE or your financial institution.
Pricing and membership tiers explained
Understanding what each membership tier costs and includes helps you decide whether full cancellation or a downgrade aligns with your needs and budget.
Current membership pricing in singapore dollars
| Membership tier |
Monthly cost (SGD) |
Annual cost (SGD) |
Monthly bids |
Key features |
| Basic |
$9.95 |
$99.50 |
10 |
1 skill listing, profile page |
| Plus |
$19.95 |
$199.50 |
25 |
3 skills, featured profile, client outreach |
| Premium |
$39.95 |
$399.50 |
80 |
Unlimited skills, contest entries, priority support |
| Elite |
$89.95 |
$899.50 |
Unlimited |
All Premium features plus dedicated account manager |
Monthly billing allows you to cancel immediately; annual billing typically locks you in until the 12-month cycle ends, though Yafee recommends requesting an exception when you contact support.
Additional fees to consider before cancelling
Beyond membership subscriptions, Freelancer.com may charge you for one-time services: profile verification badges (typically SGD 5-15), contest entry fees (SGD 10-50 per contest), and project milestone deposits held in escrow. These are non-recurring but may influence your overall spend assessment. If you are cancelling because of these add-on costs rather than the membership itself, discussing cost concerns with Freelancer.com support may yield alternative solutions.
Follow these precise procedural steps to ensure your cancellation is registered correctly and no further charges occur.
Step 1: log into your Freelancer.com account
- Visit freelancer.com and enter your email address and password.
- If you use single sign-on (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn), log in via that method instead.
- If you cannot access your account, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your credentials before proceeding.
Step 2: navigate to your settings and billing section
- Once logged in, click your profile avatar (typically in the top-right corner) and select "Settings" or "Account Settings."
- Look for a "Billing" or "Subscription" submenu.
- On mobile, this may appear as a menu icon (three horizontal lines).
Step 3: review your active subscription
- Locate your current membership plan and its renewal date.
- Note the exact date of your next charge so you understand when cancellation takes effect.
- Screenshot this information as evidence for your records.
Step 4: select the cancellation option
- Look for a "Cancel Membership," "Cancel Subscription" or "Downgrade" button near your active plan.
- Some accounts display a "Manage Subscription" link instead.
- Click the appropriate option for your account layout.
Step 5: confirm cancellation and save your confirmation
- Freelancer.com will prompt you to confirm the cancellation. Review any final messages or optional survey questions.
- You may see a retention offer (e.g., a discount to keep your membership). Accept or decline as you choose.
- Click "Confirm Cancellation" or "Complete Cancellation" to finalize the request.
- Freelancer.com will display a confirmation message and send a confirmation email to your registered address.
- Save this email immediately. Forward it to yourself or print it as a backup record.
- Note the cancellation confirmation number if one is provided.
Step 6: verify cancellation in your billing history
- Return to your account settings and check your subscription status.
- Your membership should now show as "Cancelled" or "Inactive," with no renewal date listed.
- Review your billing history to confirm no further charges are scheduled.
Contact Freelancer.com support if you need help
If you cannot locate a self-service cancellation button, submit a cancellation request via Freelancer.com's help centre. Navigate to Help or Support, select "Subscription" or "Billing," and describe your request clearly: "I wish to cancel my membership effective immediately" or "before my next renewal date on [DATE]." Support staff typically respond within 24 to 48 hours. In your message, include your account email address and the membership tier you are cancelling. Yafee recommends sending this request at least 5 business days before your next renewal to allow processing time.
Understanding refunds and what you may recover
Refund eligibility depends on what you are cancelling and when you cancel relative to your billing date.
Membership subscription refunds
Freelancer.com's standard policy does not offer refunds on monthly or annual membership fees once the billing period begins. Consequently, if you cancel mid-cycle (e.g., 15 days into a 30-day billing period), you typically cannot recover the full month's fee. However, you stop all future charges immediately upon cancellation. Yafee advises that you can appeal for a partial or full refund by contacting support and explaining your circumstance (technical issue, misunderstanding of features, etc.); many companies grant one-time refunds for first-time cancellations or genuine hardship cases.
Project deposits and milestone payments
Deposits you place into your Freelancer.com wallet for project funding and milestone payments held in escrow are not subscription fees. These funds belong to you. If you have active projects with unused deposit balances, cancelling your membership does not forfeit these funds. You can withdraw remaining wallet balances to your original payment method after cancellation, though processing may take 5 to 10 business days. If a project is in progress and funds are held in escrow, you must complete or formally cancel the project before withdrawing funds.
One-time fees (verification, contests)
Verification badges and contest entry fees are non-refundable once purchased or submitted. These are distinct from recurring subscriptions. If you paid for a verification badge and later cancel your membership, the badge remains active on your profile but provides no benefit if you are not actively seeking work. Contest entry fees cannot be recovered unless Freelancer.com cancels the contest.
What to do after cancellation
Cancellation itself is straightforward, but a few follow-up steps protect your account security and financial record.
Monitor your billing statements
For the next two to three billing cycles, review your bank statement, credit card statement or e-wallet transactions carefully. Confirm that no further charges from Freelancer.com appear. If an unexpected charge occurs after your cancellation date, contact your bank or card issuer immediately and report it as an unauthorised transaction. Yafee recommends keeping your cancellation confirmation email for at least 12 months in case you need to dispute a charge or file a chargeback.
Retrieve your profile data if needed
Before your account fully closes, download copies of any work samples, client testimonials, or project history you wish to preserve. Cancelled accounts may remain visible for a period but become less accessible over time. Use Freelancer.com's portfolio or export function to save your professional content.
Update your payment methods
If you had a credit card, debit card or e-wallet linked to your Freelancer.com account and you wish to sever the connection entirely, remove that payment method from your account settings after cancellation. This prevents any erroneous future charges and reduces identity fraud risk.
Common cancellation mistakes to avoid
Cancellation is rarely complex, but several common oversights can lead to unexpected charges or account recovery difficulties. Stay vigilant and follow these guardrails.
Confusing cancellation with account deletion
Cancelling a subscription and deleting your account are different actions. Cancellation stops recurring charges but leaves your profile and history in place. Account deletion is permanent and irreversible; Freelancer.com may not allow it if you have active projects or outstanding disputes. Request cancellation first to halt charges; only pursue deletion if you are certain you will never use the platform again.
Cancelling close to your renewal date without confirming the cutoff
Freelancer.com's renewal clock typically runs from your subscription start date, not from the current date. If you cancel two days before your renewal date, you may still be charged because the system processes the renewal before your cancellation takes effect. Always cancel at least 5 business days before your renewal date to guarantee no further charge. Confirm your exact renewal date in the billing section before cancelling.
Not saving your cancellation confirmation
A cancellation confirmation email is your proof of cancellation. If Freelancer.com charges you again or disputes your cancellation, this email is your legal evidence. Save it to your email archive, print it, or forward it to a secure backup folder immediately after receiving it.
Forgetting about linked payment methods
If you stored a payment method (credit card, PayPal, Stripe account) in your Freelancer.com profile and later cancel, that payment method remains on file until you remove it manually. If Freelancer.com re-activates your account (e.g., due to a technical error), it could charge the linked payment method. Remove all payment methods from your account after confirming cancellation.
In rare cases, Freelancer.com may ignore your cancellation request, claim you cannot cancel, or continue charging you after you have submitted a valid cancellation. You have clear escalation routes under Singapore law.
Document your cancellation attempts
Before escalating, gather all evidence: screenshots of your account settings showing cancellation requests, email correspondence with support, confirmation numbers, and billing statements showing unwanted charges. This documentation is essential if you pursue a formal dispute.
Contact the consumers association of singapore (CASE)
If Freelancer.com refuses to acknowledge or process your cancellation, file a complaint with CASE. You can submit a complaint online at case.org.sg or visit their office at 170 Ghim Moh Road, Singapore 279621. CASE will mediate on your behalf and investigate whether Freelancer.com has breached the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Yafee advises including all documented evidence and a clear statement of what you are claiming (e.g., "unauthorised charges after cancellation") in your CASE complaint.
File a chargeback with your bank
If Freelancer.com continues charging your credit card, debit card or e-wallet after cancellation, contact your financial institution and dispute the charge. Explain that you cancelled your subscription and Freelancer.com has continued billing you without consent. Most credit card issuers and banks reverse unauthorised charges within 30 to 45 days if you provide proof of your cancellation request. Your bank will open a dispute investigation and may reverse charges while they investigate.
Report to the personal data protection commission (PDPC)
If Freelancer.com continues using your personal data (email, name, billing address) after you have cancelled and requested data deletion, you can lodge a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Commission. While the PDPC's primary role is data protection, persistent unwanted contact or billing after cancellation may constitute a breach of your privacy rights under Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act.
If you are cancelling because you prefer a different service, this comparison may help you assess whether an alternative platform aligns with your needs.
Freelancer marketplace comparison
| Platform |
Monthly cost (SGD) |
Refund policy |
Singapore support |
Best for |
| Freelancer.com |
$9.95-$89.95 |
No refunds on membership |
Yes (1 Harbourfront Avenue) |
High-volume bidding, global reach |
| Upwork |
Free + project fees |
Flexible billing |
Limited local support |
Long-term client relationships, retainers |
| Fiverr |
Free to list, commission per sale |
Non-refundable commissions |
Limited local support |
Service-based freelancers, passive income |
| PeoplePerHour |
Free tier + paid options |
Variable by tier |
Limited local support |
UK/European clients, design work |
Each platform operates differently. Upwork charges project commissions rather than memberships, Fiverr takes a percentage of sales, and PeoplePerHour offers hybrid models. Yafee recommends trialling a different platform before cancelling Freelancer.com entirely, so you can confirm it meets your workflow needs.
Checklist: your cancellation action plan
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step correctly and protect yourself from unexpected charges.
- [ ] Log into your Freelancer.com account and verify your email is current.
- [ ] Navigate to Settings > Billing and note your renewal date and current plan.
- [ ] Screenshot your current subscription information as backup evidence.
- [ ] Click "Cancel Membership" or contact support with a clear cancellation request.
- [ ] Receive and save your cancellation confirmation email; forward it to a personal email or cloud storage.
- [ ] Verify your account status shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive" within 24 hours.
- [ ] Remove all linked payment methods from your account (credit card, PayPal, etc.).
- [ ] Download and preserve any portfolio data or client testimonials you wish to keep.
- [ ] Monitor your bank and credit card statements for the next two billing cycles.
- [ ] If an unexpected charge occurs, contact your bank immediately and reference your cancellation confirmation.
- [ ] Keep your cancellation confirmation email for 12 months as evidence in case of disputes.
If you need to escalate your cancellation request or lodge a formal complaint, use these addresses and contact routes.
Freelancer.com singapore office
Freelancer.com Pte. Ltd.
1 Harbourfront Avenue
Keppel Bay Tower
Singapore 098632
Phone: +65 6100 9888
Email: [email protected]
Escalation contacts in singapore
Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)
170 Ghim Moh Road
Singapore 279621
Phone: +65 6461 0000
Website: case.org.sg
Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)
Personal Data Protection Commission
Singapore
Website: pdpc.gov.sg
Email: [email protected]
Final thoughts: take control of your subscription
Cancelling a subscription should never be frustrating or opaque. Under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you hold the right to cancel your Freelancer.com membership at any time, and the company must respect that decision. By following the step-by-step process outlined above, saving your confirmation email, and monitoring your billing closely, you protect yourself from unexpected charges and ensure a clean exit from the platform.
If you face any resistance or continued billing after cancellation, the Consumers Association of Singapore and your bank's dispute team are your allies. Yafee has helped thousands of Singapore-based professionals and businesses cancel subscriptions with confidence, recover unauthorised charges, and assert their consumer rights. Whether you choose to cancel outright or downgrade to a lower tier, the choice remains firmly in your hands. Take action today, document every step, and reclaim control of your business expenses.