How to cancel Preply and protect your consumer rights in singapore
What is Preply and why cancellation matters
Preply is an online tutoring marketplace where you connect with independent tutors for personalised lessons in languages and academic subjects. You browse tutor profiles, book sessions directly, and pay through Preply's platform. Most lessons run for 50 minutes, with tutors setting their own hourly rates. Understanding how your subscription works-and when you can cancel it-is essential before you commit to recurring charges.
Many Singapore students subscribe to regular weekly lessons or purchase annual plans with trial periods. Lesson credits expire at the end of each billing cycle, and automatic renewals can catch you off guard if you do not cancel in time. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations, and the same principles apply to Preply: know your rights, act within legal timeframes, and document everything.
Subscription types and billing cycles
Preply offers two main subscription structures. Monthly subscriptions renew every 28 days automatically unless you cancel. Annual plans typically include a 14-day trial period during which you can cancel for a full refund if you have not used lessons. If you miss the trial window, annual subscriptions lock you in until the contract term ends, though you may still have cancellation rights under Singapore consumer law.
Billing occurs upfront for each cycle. Unused lesson credits expire at the end of your billing period, which means timing your cancellation strategically can preserve credits or prevent future charges. Consequently, you should cancel before your next renewal date if you want to avoid additional fees.
When you should consider cancelling
You might cancel Preply for several legitimate reasons: finding a tutor with better teaching style, completing your learning goals, facing financial constraints, or discovering a more cost-effective alternative. Each situation may affect your refund eligibility, so your reason for cancelling matters when you escalate to Preply or to consumer authorities.
Your consumer rights under singapore law
Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is the primary legal framework protecting you when you purchase online services, including tutoring subscriptions.
Legal protections for tutoring subscriptions
Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, all service providers-including Preply-must deliver services with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time, and at a fair price. If Preply fails to deliver lessons as advertised, or if technical failures repeatedly prevent you from accessing your subscription, you have grounds to claim a breach of these statutory duties. The Act also mandates transparent pricing, clear cancellation terms, and honest representations about service quality.
Furthermore, the Act protects you even when Preply's terms and conditions appear to override your rights. For example, if you cancel within a trial period and have not used any lessons, Preply cannot enforce a "non-refundable" clause to deny you a refund. The statute supersedes conflicting contractual language.
Your legal position: You have an automatic right under Singapore law to cancel Preply if the service fails to meet reasonable standards, or if the tutor repeatedly cancels sessions. You also have cancellation rights within any stated trial period, regardless of Preply's terms. If Preply refuses to acknowledge these rights, you can escalate to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) for free mediation.
Escalation pathway with regulatory authorities
If Preply refuses your cancellation request or denies a refund you believe is entitled, lodge a formal complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE offers free mediation and dispute resolution at no cost to you. Document all communication with Preply-emails, screenshots, payment records, tutor cancellations-before escalating. CASE can often resolve disputes faster than formal legal action and has statutory weight in Singapore's consumer protection framework.
If mediation fails, CASE can refer your case for legal action or escalate to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) if you suspect unfair contract terms or misleading conduct.
How to cancel Preply in singapore
Preply offers multiple cancellation methods, and your approach depends on your subscription type and urgency.
Step 1: log in to your Preply account
Access Preply via your web browser or mobile app using your registered email and password. Navigate to your account dashboard and locate your subscription or lessons section. You must be logged in to cancel directly through the platform.
Step 2: locate your subscription settings
On the Preply dashboard, find your active subscription under "My lessons" or "Subscription." Click into subscription details to view your current plan, renewal date, billing cycle, and cancellation options. Note the exact renewal date so you cancel before that date to avoid the next charge.
Step 3: select the cancellation option
Preply displays a "Cancel subscription" or "Pause lessons" button within your subscription settings. Click this button to initiate the cancellation flow. Preply may ask you why you are cancelling-this is optional feedback, but you may mention service issues if they apply, as this strengthens your position if you later need to claim a refund.
Step 4: confirm cancellation and save your confirmation
After you select cancel, Preply will display a confirmation screen showing your cancellation effective date. This date determines when your access ends and when you stop being charged. Screenshot or print this confirmation immediately. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message from Preply within 24 hours. Save this email permanently as proof of your cancellation request.
Step 5: verify cancellation status after 48 hours
Log back into your Preply account 48 hours after cancellation to confirm your subscription status shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive." If your account still shows an active subscription, contact Preply support immediately by email or live chat. Verify that no further charges appear on your payment method after your renewal date passes.
Alternative: cancellation by email
If the platform cancellation fails or you encounter technical difficulties, you can email Preply's support team directly. Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Cancellation Request" and include your account email, full name, and the date you want cancellation to take effect. Request written confirmation of cancellation. Yafee recommends using email because it creates a timestamped record of your cancellation intent, which protects you if disputes arise later.
Refund eligibility and timeline
Your refund entitlement depends on your subscription type, trial status, and reason for cancellation.
Trial period refunds
If you subscribed to an annual plan with a 14-day trial and cancel within that window without using any lessons, you are entitled to a full refund of your subscription fee. This right is automatic under Preply's standard terms and is reinforced by Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Preply must process this refund to your original payment method within 14 days of your cancellation request.
Month-to-month cancellations and partial refunds
If you cancel a monthly subscription mid-cycle, Preply's refund policy typically allows you to retain access until the end of your current 28-day billing period. You will not be charged for the next cycle. Unused lesson credits expire at the end of that cycle unless Preply's policy explicitly permits rollover. Check your cancellation confirmation to confirm whether you retain access until the cycle end.
In cases where Preply failed to deliver lessons or tutors repeatedly cancelled sessions, you may claim a partial refund for the unused portion of your subscription. Contact Preply's support team with evidence of missed lessons and request a pro-rata refund. If Preply refuses, escalate to CASE with your documentation.
Refund processing time
Preply typically processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days after your cancellation request. The refund appears as a credit to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, or digital wallet). Check your bank or payment provider's records 7 to 10 business days after cancellation confirmation. If the refund does not appear, contact Preply's support team with your cancellation confirmation email and request a trace of the refund transaction.
Pricing and subscription comparison table
Understanding Preply's typical pricing structure helps you calculate your refund entitlement and plan cancellation timing.
| Subscription type |
Renewal cycle |
Typical tutor rate (SGD) |
Trial period |
Refund on cancellation |
| Monthly subscription |
Every 28 days |
SGD 25-80 per hour |
None |
No refund; retain access until cycle end |
| Annual subscription (recommended) |
365 days |
10-20% discount vs. monthly |
14 days (full refund if unused) |
Full refund within trial; pro-rata after |
| Pay-as-you-go lessons |
No automatic renewal |
SGD 30-100 per lesson |
N/A |
Case-by-case (tutor cancellation only) |
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation is straightforward if you follow the legal process, but a few missteps can delay refunds or cost you money.
Failing to cancel before renewal
The most costly error is missing your cancellation deadline. Preply renews subscriptions automatically on your renewal date, and once the charge posts to your account, obtaining a refund becomes harder. Set a calendar reminder for 7 days before your renewal date so you have time to cancel. Yafee advises treating your renewal date as a hard deadline, not a guideline.
Assuming "pause lessons" is the same as cancellation
Some tutoring platforms offer a "pause lessons" feature that temporarily halts lessons but maintains your subscription and continues billing. Pausing is not cancellation. You must explicitly select "Cancel subscription" or send a cancellation email to terminate your recurring charges. Check your confirmation carefully to confirm the action is cancellation, not a pause.
Deleting your account without cancelling first
Deleting your Preply account does not automatically cancel your subscription. Subscription billing continues independently of account deletion. You must cancel your subscription through the subscription settings before-or immediately after-deleting your account. If you delete your account without cancelling, you have still less evidence of your cancellation attempt if a dispute arises.
Not saving cancellation confirmations
Preply may lose your cancellation request in their system, or your email confirmation may be filtered into spam. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation screen immediately and save the confirmation email to a dedicated folder. If you later dispute a refund or charge, you will need this timestamped proof. Yafee recommends saving confirmations to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) so they survive device failures.
What happens after you cancel Preply
Cancellation is not the end of your interaction with Preply-what follows matters for protecting your refund and your account.
Verify your account status within 48 hours
Log into your Preply account two days after cancellation and confirm your subscription status shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive." If your account still displays an active subscription, your cancellation did not process. Contact Preply support immediately and provide your cancellation confirmation email or screenshot. Request written confirmation that your cancellation has been registered in their system.
Monitor your payment method for future charges
After your renewal date passes, check your credit card or bank statement to confirm no new charge appears. If a charge posts after your cancellation date, this is a billing error. Contact Preply support immediately with your cancellation confirmation and demand a refund. If Preply refuses, file a chargeback dispute with your bank or credit card provider and submit your cancellation confirmation as evidence.
Request your data before the account closes
Before Preply fully closes your account, download any lesson recordings, chat transcripts, or tutor notes you want to keep. Preply may delete this data 30 to 90 days after cancellation. If you need records for academic purposes or dispute resolution, retrieve them before the grace period ends.
Checklist for cancelling Preply safely
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and defensible.
- Identify your subscription renewal date in your Preply account settings
- Set a calendar reminder 7 days before renewal
- Log into your Preply account and navigate to subscription settings
- Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm the action
- Screenshot the cancellation confirmation screen immediately
- Save the confirmation email from Preply to a secure folder
- Wait 48 hours and log back in to verify "Cancelled" status
- Monitor your bank or credit card for charges after renewal date
- If a charge appears after cancellation, contact Preply support with your confirmation
- If Preply refuses a refund, escalate to CASE with all documentation
- Keep all communications and confirmations for at least 12 months
Customer reviews and cancellation experiences
Examining real cancellation experiences reveals patterns in how Preply handles refund requests and whether the platform makes the process straightforward.
Common themes in user feedback
Singapore users report that platform-based cancellations are typically processed within 48 hours, though some users have experienced delays when cancelling near renewal dates. Users praise Preply for its straightforward subscription settings, but several mention difficulty reaching support when refund issues arise. Email cancellations take longer-usually 3 to 5 business days-but create stronger documentation. Trial period refunds are consistently processed, while mid-cycle refund requests often require manual review by Preply's support team.
Complaints typically centre on automatic renewals not triggering cancellation confirmations, and billing continuing after a user believed they had cancelled. These issues are usually resolved when users provide their cancellation email or screenshot, emphasising the importance of documentation.
If you are weighing Preply against alternatives, consider these key differences in cancellation policies.
| Platform |
Trial period |
Renewal cycle |
Cancellation method |
Refund eligibility |
| Preply |
14 days (annual plans) |
28 days or 365 days |
Platform or email |
Full refund in trial; pro-rata after |
| Verbling |
7 days |
Monthly |
Platform only |
No refund outside trial |
| iTalki |
None |
Pay-as-you-go only |
Account setting |
N/A (no subscriptions) |
| Chegg Tutors |
None |
Monthly |
Email only |
Refund if < 1 lesson used |
| Local Singapore tutor (private) |
Varies |
Monthly or custom |
Direct negotiation |
Varies by contract |
Traps and red flags to watch for
Protect yourself by recognising common pressure tactics and misleading cancellation barriers that platforms sometimes use.
Hidden refund conditions
Preply's refund policy may include conditions that are easy to miss: you must cancel before a specific time on your renewal date, or unused credits do not transfer to refunds. Read your cancellation confirmation email carefully. If Preply mentions conditions you do not understand, email their support team asking for clarification in writing. Do not assume cancellation terms if the wording is ambiguous.
Difficulty reaching support
If you need to contest a charge or refund, Preply support can be slow to respond. Always start with email ([email protected]) and include your account email, subscription details, and specific request. If support does not respond within 5 business days, or refuses your refund claim, escalate to CASE. Yafee's experience shows that mentioning CASE involvement often prompts faster Preply responses.
Automatic re-subscription after "pause"
Some platforms resume billing automatically after a pause ends, without explicit user confirmation. Check whether Preply's pause feature is truly a pause or a delayed reactivation. If you pause instead of cancel, set a reminder to verify that your subscription does not restart automatically. When in doubt, cancel rather than pause.
If Preply refuses your cancellation or refund request, use these official channels to escalate.
Preply support and refund inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Subject line: "Cancellation Request" or "Refund Appeal"
Include: Account email, full name, cancellation date, cancellation confirmation number (if available), and reason for appeal.
Preply's corporate headquarters is located in the United States, but they maintain customer support staff in multiple time zones. Responses typically arrive within 24 to 72 hours on business days.
Consumers association of singapore (CASE)
If Preply refuses your refund after 5 business days, or if you believe Preply has breached the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, lodge a formal complaint with CASE.
CASE Email: [email protected]
CASE Website: www.case.org.sg
CASE Telephone: +65 6100 0315
Address: 170 Ghim Moh Road, Singapore 279621
CASE offers free mediation and often resolves disputes within 4 to 8 weeks. Include your cancellation email, screenshots of your account settings, payment records, and all communication with Preply in your complaint. Yafee recommends attaching these documents as PDFs to ensure they are not lost.
Competition and consumer commission of singapore (CCCS)
If CASE mediation fails or you suspect Preply has engaged in unfair contract terms or misleading marketing, escalate to the CCCS.
CCCS Email: [email protected]
CCCS Website: www.cccs.gov.sg
Address: 8 Robinson Road, Singapore 048544
Final guidance and next steps
Cancelling Preply in Singapore is a straightforward process if you follow the legal framework and document every step. Your Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act rights are automatic and do not depend on Preply's willingness to refund you. You have the statutory power to cancel within trial periods, to demand refunds for services not delivered, and to escalate disputes to CASE for free mediation.
Act within your cancellation window, save your confirmation email and screenshot, monitor your payment method after renewal, and escalate to CASE immediately if Preply refuses a refund you believe you are entitled to. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions safely by following this process, and the same principles protect your rights with Preply. Do not let automatic renewals or unclear terms prevent you from exercising your legal entitlements.
If you need further support or have questions about your cancellation, visit Yafee.com for additional guides, templates, and escalation resources. Yafee's expert advisors are ready to help you navigate subscription cancellations and protect your consumer rights across Singapore.