How to cancel Epidemic Sound and protect your rights in south africa
What is Epidemic Sound and why creators use it
Epidemic Sound is a subscription-based music and sound effects library built for digital creators, podcasters, YouTubers and production teams who need copyright-free audio for their content. The service offers royalty-free tracks and sound effects you can license without triggering copyright claims or negotiating per-track fees. If you produce videos, podcasts or social media content, you may have subscribed to access their full library under a monthly or annual payment plan.
The company operates from Stockholm, Sweden, with a subsidiary office in Amsterdam. Account management and customer support function entirely online. Millions of creators worldwide use Epidemic Sound, but not every subscriber finds the service delivers long-term value. If you are considering cancellation or ready to exit your subscription, understanding your legal rights and the correct cancellation process is essential. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate streaming service cancellations, and this guide walks you through every step of exiting Epidemic Sound in South Africa.
Who typically subscribes to Epidemic Sound
Your typical Epidemic Sound subscriber is a content creator with an audience on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or podcasting platforms. The service appeals to anyone requiring unlimited access to licensed music without individual rights negotiations or per-track licensing costs. Small production studios, marketing agencies and media professionals also adopt Epidemic Sound to streamline workflows and eliminate legal risk from copyright infringement.
Once you cancel, your existing published content remains covered under the licence terms you purchased. However, any new uploads after cancellation may trigger copyright claims unless you renew your subscription. This timing matters significantly before you finalise your decision to leave.
Your consumer rights in south africa
South African consumer law grants you specific protections when subscribing to digital services like Epidemic Sound. Your entitlements derive from the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which requires businesses to act fairly and disclose subscription terms transparently before you pay.
The 14-day cooling-off period and your statutory right to cancel
The Consumer Protection Act provides a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts. Distance contracts are agreements you conclude remotely, which includes online subscriptions like Epidemic Sound signed entirely online. Within this 14-day window from the date you subscribe, you hold a statutory right to cancel and request a refund, regardless of what Epidemic Sound's terms state. This right cannot be overridden by company policy or service terms.
Your legal position: If Epidemic Sound declines a refund request within your 14-day cooling-off period, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), South Africa's statutory consumer watchdog. The NCC enforces the Consumer Protection Act and can compel businesses to honour statutory rights.
After 14 days, Epidemic Sound's own terms take effect. The service classifies all payments as non-refundable once you access the library. Yafee advises documenting your exact subscription date and all cancellation communications, because this evidence proves critical if Epidemic Sound refuses your refund claim. Retain screenshots of confirmation emails, payment receipts and any support correspondence.
Subscriptions purchased through apple or google play
If you subscribed via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, Apple and Google control the payment relationship. Both platforms maintain their own refund policies independent of Epidemic Sound. Apple grants refunds within 48 hours of purchase for first-time refund requests. Google Play operates a similar policy but may refuse refunds after the initial window closes.
Contact Apple or Google directly before pursuing Epidemic Sound for refunds. These platform operators control the transaction and may process your refund without Epidemic Sound's involvement. Your platform account settings contain the direct support channels for refund requests.
How to cancel Epidemic Sound in south africa
Epidemic Sound offers multiple cancellation pathways depending on your subscription type and payment method. Each route requires specific steps and documentation to ensure your cancellation processes successfully.
Cancel through the Epidemic Sound website
This is the primary cancellation method for most South African subscribers.
- Visit epidemic-sound.com and log into your account using your email and password
- Navigate to your account settings or billing section, typically located in the top-right menu or profile dropdown
- Select "Subscription" or "Billing" from the settings options
- Locate the "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription" button and click it
- Review the cancellation confirmation screen, which displays your final billing date
- Confirm cancellation by clicking the final "Confirm cancellation" button
- Save the confirmation page as a PDF or screenshot for your records
- Check your email inbox for a cancellation confirmation from Epidemic Sound within 24 hours
Yafee recommends taking screenshots at each stage. These images prove cancellation in your favour if Epidemic Sound later claims they received no cancellation request.
Cancel your apple app store subscription
If you subscribed through Apple, you must cancel in your Apple account, not within the Epidemic Sound app.
- Open the App Store on your Apple device (iPhone, iPad or Mac)
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu
- Find "Epidemic Sound" in your active subscriptions list
- Tap "Epidemic Sound" and select "Cancel subscription"
- Choose your cancellation reason from the dropdown options
- Confirm the cancellation by tapping "Confirm" on the final prompt
- Apple displays a cancellation confirmation immediately on screen
Apple immediately disables your subscription at the end of your current billing period. You retain access until that date. Yafee advises requesting a refund within 48 hours if you cancel within 14 days of your original purchase date.
Cancel your google play subscription
Google Play subscribers must initiate cancellation through Google's platform, not the Epidemic Sound service.
- Open Google Play on your Android device or at play.google.com on your computer
- Tap your profile icon and select "Payments and subscriptions"
- Choose "Subscriptions" from the menu
- Locate "Epidemic Sound" in your active subscriptions
- Tap "Epidemic Sound" and select "Cancel subscription"
- Google displays your cancellation reason options; select the most appropriate reason
- Tap "Cancel subscription" on the confirmation screen
- Google confirms cancellation immediately in the app
Your access continues until your current billing period ends. If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, request a refund from Google Play directly, as their 14-day cooling-off policy may supersede Epidemic Sound's terms.
Cancel by contacting Epidemic Sound support
If the website cancellation fails or you encounter technical issues, contact Epidemic Sound directly.
- Visit epidemic-sound.com and navigate to their Help or Contact page
- Select "Email support" or "Submit a support ticket" from the available options
- Complete the contact form with your full name, registered email address and account details
- In the subject line, write: "Cancellation request for account [your email]"
- In the message body, state: "I request immediate cancellation of my Epidemic Sound subscription effective today. Please confirm cancellation in writing."
- Attach screenshots of your account login and billing screen if possible
- Submit your request and note the ticket reference number provided
- Epidemic Sound typically responds within 48 to 72 hours
Keep the support ticket reference and all correspondence. Yafee emphasises that written cancellation requests create a clear audit trail if disputes arise about whether you requested cancellation.
Understanding Epidemic sound's subscription pricing and billing cycle
Epidemic Sound operates two primary subscription tiers in South Africa, both charged in ZAR (South African Rand).
| Plan |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
Annual cost (ZAR) |
Features |
Best for |
| Creator |
R 149 |
R 1,490 |
Unlimited music and sound effects for single channel |
Solo creators and podcasters |
| Studio |
R 399 |
R 3,990 |
Unlimited music, sound effects and commercial use across multiple channels |
Production teams and agencies |
| Enterprise |
Custom pricing |
Custom pricing |
Dedicated support and custom licensing |
Large organisations |
Your subscription renews automatically on the date you subscribed unless you cancel beforehand. Epidemic Sound charges your payment method on renewal without requesting confirmation. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, meaning you retain access until that date if you cancel mid-cycle.
Refunds, pro-rata credits and what happens after cancellation
Your refund entitlements depend on how long your subscription has existed and your specific cancellation circumstances.
Your refund rights under the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 14 days of your initial subscription, you qualify for a full refund under the Consumer Protection Act. Epidemic Sound must process this refund to your original payment method within 14 days of receiving your valid cancellation request. If they refuse, contact the National Consumer Commission for enforcement.
Request your refund explicitly in your cancellation message: "I request cancellation and a full refund under the 14-day cooling-off period provided by the Consumer Protection Act. Please process this refund to my original payment method."
Refunds after the 14-day period
Once you are beyond 14 days, Epidemic Sound classifies all payments as non-refundable under their service terms. However, you retain the right to cancel at any time. Your access simply continues until the end of your current billing period, after which you are no longer charged.
Yafee advises checking Epidemic Sound's terms carefully, as they occasionally offer pro-rata credits or partial refunds at their discretion, particularly for annual subscriptions cancelled early. These credits are contractual gestures, not statutory rights, but they may reduce your financial loss.
What happens to your content after cancellation
Your existing published videos, podcasts and social media posts remain covered under your original licence. Epidemic Sound cannot claim copyright infringement on previously published content. However, new uploads after your cancellation date will trigger copyright claims from Epidemic Sound unless you purchase a new subscription or identify alternative licence-free music sources.
Plan your publishing schedule carefully. If you maintain a weekly upload schedule, cancelling mid-week leaves you exposed for your next upload unless you secure alternative music sources beforehand. Yafee recommends preparing backup music libraries before cancelling if you produce frequent content.
Common mistakes when cancelling Epidemic Sound
Cancellation is straightforward, but several mistakes can delay the process or cost you money. Take care at each step, and most cancellations complete without dispute.
Assuming app deletion cancels your subscription
Deleting the Epidemic Sound app from your device does not cancel your subscription. Your account remains active and your payment method continues to be charged on renewal. You must explicitly cancel through the website, Apple, Google Play or support channels. App deletion only removes the software; it severs no connection to your billing.
Missing the 14-day cooling-off deadline
Once 14 days pass, your statutory refund right expires. Epidemic Sound's non-refund terms then apply in full. Mark your subscription date in your calendar and set a cancellation reminder for day 13 if you are uncertain about the service. Waiting until day 30 forfeits your refund entitlement entirely.
Cancelling without documentation
Always screenshot or save your cancellation confirmation. If Epidemic Sound charges your account after you cancelled and later denies receiving your request, your screenshots prove otherwise. Without evidence, the burden of proof shifts to you when disputing the charge.
Paying through multiple methods or platforms
Some creators subscribe via the website and also have a separate Apple or Google Play subscription active simultaneously. These are two independent subscriptions requiring two separate cancellations. Cancelling one does not affect the other. Check all your subscription sources before assuming cancellation is complete.
What to do if Epidemic Sound refuses your cancellation or refund
Most cancellations process smoothly, but occasionally Epidemic Sound may claim they did not receive your request or may refuse your refund claim.
Step one: escalate to Epidemic Sound support
Reply to their initial refusal with a formal written request. Include your original cancellation date, your screenshot evidence and a clear statement: "I previously requested cancellation on [date]. I have provided evidence of this request. Please confirm cancellation immediately and process any applicable refund within 14 days."
Step two: file a complaint with the national consumer commission
If Epidemic Sound does not respond within 7 days or continues to refuse, lodge a complaint with the NCC. The National Consumer Commission is South Africa's statutory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection rights. You can file a complaint online at ncc.org.za or submit a formal letter to their offices.
Your complaint should state: your subscription dates, your cancellation request date, Epidemic Sound's refusal reason, your supporting evidence (screenshots) and the amount you seek to recover. The NCC investigates at no cost to you and can compel Epidemic Sound to comply with the Consumer Protection Act.
Yafee recommends keeping all correspondence in a single folder, dated and organised chronologically. The NCC requires clear evidence of your communication attempts before they escalate enforcement action.
Step three: pursue a chargeback through your bank
If the NCC process stalls or Epidemic Sound ignores the NCC's findings, contact your bank and request a chargeback. A chargeback reverses the transaction on your payment method, recovering your money directly. Banks typically honour chargebacks for cancelled subscriptions where the company refuses refunds.
Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation request, Epidemic Sound's refusal and the NCC complaint reference number. Banks prioritise consumer disputes involving statutory rights like the 14-day cooling-off period.
Epidemic Sound cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation completes successfully.
| Task |
Completed |
Date |
| Identify your subscription platform (website, Apple or Google) |
Yes / No |
|
| Document your original subscription date |
Yes / No |
|
| Submit cancellation request through appropriate channel |
Yes / No |
|
| Screenshot or save cancellation confirmation |
Yes / No |
|
| Request refund if within 14 days |
Yes / No |
|
| Verify no further charges appear on your bank statement 14 days post-cancellation |
Yes / No |
|
Epidemic Sound compared to alternative music licensing services
If you are cancelling Epidemic Sound because pricing or library size no longer suits your needs, several alternatives exist in South Africa.
| Service |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
Music library size |
Commercial use allowed |
Best for |
| Epidemic Sound |
R 149 (Creator) |
Extensive |
Single channel (Creator plan) |
Established creators with multi-channel ambitions |
| Artlist |
R 180 |
Large |
Yes, all plans |
Video editors and production teams |
| AudioJungle |
Pay-per-track |
Massive |
Yes, varies by licence |
Creators seeking diverse, unique tracks |
| YouTube Audio Library |
Free |
Small |
Yes, for YouTube videos only |
YouTube creators with modest music needs |
| Musicbed |
R 200 |
Curated |
Yes |
Creators prioritising sound quality and curation |
YouTube's Audio Library is free and sufficient for many creators. Yafee notes that many South African creators switch to Artlist or AudioJungle when seeking flexibility beyond Epidemic Sound's monthly model.
If you need to escalate your cancellation or refund dispute beyond Epidemic Sound's support channels, use these official addresses.
Epidemic Sound contact details
Email support: [email protected]
Registered office: Epidemic Sound AB, Brännkyrkagatan 8, 118 23 Stockholm, Sweden
Subsidiary office (Amsterdam): Epidemic Sound B.V., Netherlands address listed in their legal terms
National consumer commission (NCC) contact details
Website: ncc.org.za
Telephone: +27 11 761 4000
Email: [email protected]
Postal address: National Consumer Commission, Postnet Menlyn, Private Bag X157, Menlyn, 0063
The NCC accepts online complaints through their website and investigates disputes involving unfair contract terms, service failures and refund disputes at no cost to consumers.
Final steps and next actions
Cancelling Epidemic Sound in South Africa is a straightforward process governed by clear consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act. Your 14-day cooling-off period is your strongest legal protection; use it if you are uncertain about the service. After 14 days, you lose your statutory refund right, though you retain the right to cancel and stop future charges at any time.
Document every step of your cancellation process. Screenshots of your subscription details, cancellation requests and confirmations form your evidence if disputes arise. If Epidemic Sound refuses to honour your cancellation or refund entitlements, escalate through the National Consumer Commission rather than accepting their initial refusal as final.
Yafee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel streaming subscriptions, music services and digital content platforms successfully. Whether you cancel Epidemic Sound within your cooling-off period to recover your payment or after 14 days to stop future charges, the process works smoothly when you follow these steps and keep clear records. Your consumer rights are statutory protections that Epidemic Sound cannot override, regardless of their terms and conditions. Use them confidently, and escalate to the NCC if you encounter resistance.