How to cancel MailerLite in south africa and reclaim your money
Why you might cancel MailerLite
MailerLite is a cloud-based email marketing platform that lets you build subscriber lists, create automated campaigns, design landing pages and measure email performance in real time. Many South African entrepreneurs and small to medium businesses use it because the interface is straightforward and you do not need technical expertise to launch professional campaigns.
You access MailerLite through your web browser or iOS and Android mobile apps. If you subscribe via the App Store or Google Play, your billing flows through those platforms rather than directly through MailerLite, which affects how you cancel.
Common reasons south african users cancel
You might cancel because your subscriber list has outgrown MailerLite's limits, you have found a competitor with stronger automation capabilities, your business focus has shifted, or your monthly budget no longer justifies the cost. Whatever your circumstance, understanding your legal position and the correct cancellation procedure protects you from surprise charges and ensures a clean exit.
Critical facts before you cancel
MailerLite displays all pricing in USD, which means your ZAR invoices fluctuate with exchange rates. The Free plan covers up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at approximately R190 per month (roughly USD 10). When you cancel, your account remains active until the end of your current billing cycle, then automatically reverts to the Free plan. MailerLite does not refund unused time except in specific circumstances, which Yafee will explain below.
Your consumer rights under south african law
The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 is the legal foundation that shields you when cancelling online services in South Africa.
The 14-day withdrawal right for distance contracts
Because MailerLite operates as a distance transaction-meaning you conclude the contract entirely online without face-to-face contact-the Consumer Protection Act grants you the right to withdraw within 14 calendar days of agreement, provided you are an individual consumer and not a business entity. This window is your strongest legal leverage.
If you cancel within 14 days and have not substantially used the service, you may request a full refund. After the 14-day period expires, your cancellation right becomes a matter of subscription management under MailerLite's terms rather than statutory consumer protection. This distinction is critical. Yafee recommends acting swiftly if you wish to rely on the 14-day rule.
Your legal position when cancelling after 14 days
Once the 14-day window closes, the Consumer Protection Act still requires MailerLite to honour your cancellation request without unreasonable delay and to provide clear, transparent information about its cancellation process. You remain entitled to cancel, but you lose the automatic refund entitlement unless MailerLite's terms or a promotional offer explicitly state otherwise. Nevertheless, MailerLite must process your cancellation promptly and cease charging you from the date you request it or the end of your current billing cycle, whichever is appropriate.
Escalation to the national credit regulator
If MailerLite refuses to cancel your account or continues charging after you have cancelled, you can lodge a formal complaint with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) or the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO). Yafee strongly advises documenting every interaction: screenshot all confirmation emails, record timestamps, and retain copies of every invoice. This evidence proves invaluable if you must escalate a dispute.
Cancelling through the web is the fastest and most reliable method because it processes directly through MailerLite's billing system and generates an immediate confirmation email.
Step 1: log in to your MailerLite account
- Open your web browser and navigate to https://app.mailerlite.com.
- Enter your email address and password.
- If two-factor authentication is active, complete the verification prompt.
- You are now logged into your account dashboard.
Step 2: access your account settings
- Look for your profile icon or email address in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Click it to open the dropdown menu.
- Select Account Settings or Settings.
- You will be taken to your account management page.
Step 3: navigate to billing and plan management
- In your Account Settings, find the Billing, Subscription or Plan tab.
- This section displays your current plan, next billing date, and payment method.
- Look for a button or link labelled Manage Plan, Change Plan or Cancel Subscription.
Step 4: initiate cancellation
- Click the cancellation button.
- MailerLite may ask you to confirm your reason for cancelling. Answer honestly or leave the field blank if you prefer.
- You may also see a retention offer (such as a discount or extra features). Decline if you are certain you want to cancel.
- Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button.
Step 5: verify cancellation and save confirmation
- MailerLite will display a confirmation message on screen.
- Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a cancellation confirmation email within minutes.
- Screenshot the on-screen confirmation and save the email. These documents prove you cancelled if a dispute arises.
- Your account will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle, then revert to the Free plan or close entirely, depending on MailerLite's policy.
How to cancel MailerLite via mobile app subscription
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through that platform, not through MailerLite's website, because the App Store and Google Play manage the billing.
Cancel MailerLite on iOS (Apple app store)
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Subscriptions (or [Your Name] then Subscriptions, depending on your iOS version).
- Find MailerLite in the list of active subscriptions.
- Tap MailerLite and select Cancel Subscription.
- Confirm the cancellation by tapping Confirm when prompted.
- Apple will send you a confirmation email. Save it as proof of cancellation.
Cancel MailerLite on android (Google play)
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select Manage Subscriptions.
- Locate MailerLite and tap it.
- Tap Cancel Subscription.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm cancellation.
- Google Play will send a confirmation email. Retain this for your records.
MailerLite pricing and what you pay in south africa
Understanding your costs helps you decide whether to cancel or downgrade. The table below shows MailerLite's standard pricing structure in ZAR equivalents based on typical USD exchange rates.
| Plan |
Features |
Monthly cost (USD) |
Approximate ZAR cost |
| Free |
Up to 500 subscribers, 12,000 emails per month, basic features |
USD 0 |
Free |
| Growing Business |
Up to 5,000 subscribers, advanced automation, landing pages |
USD 10 |
R 190 |
| Advanced |
Up to 25,000 subscribers, dynamic content, detailed analytics |
USD 30 |
R 570 |
| Enterprise |
Unlimited subscribers, white-label options, dedicated support |
Custom quote |
Varies |
All prices are displayed in USD on MailerLite's website. Your ZAR invoice amounts will fluctuate monthly based on exchange rates. If cost is your reason for cancelling, consider downgrading to the Free plan instead, which preserves your account and data without ongoing charges.
Refunds and what happens after cancellation
MailerLite's refund policy is strict. Understanding what you can and cannot recover prevents disappointment.
When MailerLite will issue a refund
MailerLite refunds unused subscription time only if you cancel within 14 days of purchasing or upgrading, and you have used minimal features. If you fall outside this window-which most users do-you forfeit any payment for the remainder of your billing cycle. MailerLite does not refund unused monthly fees once the 14-day period expires.
If you discover that MailerLite charged you twice for the same month, or if an error on their part resulted in overcharging, you may request a refund for the duplicate charge. Contact MailerLite support with proof of the duplicate transaction, and they will investigate. Yafee advises retaining all payment statements to demonstrate the error clearly.
What happens to your data after cancellation
- Your account moves to the Free plan immediately after your paid subscription ends.
- You retain access to your subscriber lists, campaigns and templates for 30 days (typically).
- After 30 days of inactivity, MailerLite may delete your data permanently. Back up any critical information before that period expires.
- Download your subscriber list as a CSV file and export campaign templates if you plan to switch to another platform.
- You will no longer be able to send campaigns unless you are on a paid plan.
Your account after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription does not delete your MailerLite account. You can reactivate a paid plan at any time and your data may remain available. However, do not assume your data is safe indefinitely. MailerLite's terms allow them to delete inactive free accounts after extended periods. Yafee recommends exporting your subscriber lists and templates immediately after cancelling if you think you might return.
Common mistakes when cancelling MailerLite
Cancellation is straightforward, but several errors can trap you in unwanted charges or data loss. You can avoid these pitfalls with basic caution.
Mistake 1: assuming your account is deleted
When you cancel your MailerLite subscription, the account itself is not deleted. It reverts to the Free plan. If you expect the account to disappear entirely, you may be surprised when MailerLite still has access to your data or when you receive communications about your Free plan. Log in periodically to confirm you are no longer being charged, and manually delete the account if MailerLite offers that option in Settings.
Mistake 2: cancelling via email instead of the platform
Sending an email to MailerLite support asking them to cancel your account is slower and creates ambiguity about the cancellation date. Always cancel through the web platform or app subscription settings, which generates an immediate timestamp. Email cancellation requests often result in delays and disputes about when your cancellation truly took effect.
Mistake 3: not exporting your subscriber list before cancellation
Your subscriber list is your asset. Once your Free plan expires or MailerLite deletes inactive accounts, that data is gone. Download your list as a CSV file and export all campaign templates before your paid subscription ends. Yafee has seen users lose years of subscriber data because they assumed they could retrieve it after cancellation.
Mistake 4: missing the 14-day refund window
The 14-day withdrawal right is time-limited. If you are unhappy with MailerLite within the first two weeks, cancel immediately to preserve your refund entitlement. After 14 days, you lose this consumer protection unless MailerLite's terms offer a different grace period.
Mistake 5: ignoring confirmation emails
When MailerLite sends a cancellation confirmation, archive it in a folder or cloud storage. If MailerLite disputes whether you cancelled or charges you again, this email is your primary evidence. Without it, you will struggle to prove your case to the National Credit Regulator.
When should you cancel versus downgrade
Cancellation is not always the answer. Before you cancel, consider whether downgrading to a lower-tier plan or the Free plan better serves your needs.
| Scenario |
Cancel? |
Downgrade? |
Why |
| You no longer send emails |
Yes |
No |
No ongoing use justifies paying. Switch to Free plan if you want to preserve data. |
| You have fewer than 500 subscribers |
No |
Yes, to Free |
The Free plan suits your size. Downgrade and keep your account active. |
| You are switching to a competitor |
Yes |
No |
You will not return. Cancel and export your data to the new platform. |
| Cost is your only concern but you still email |
No |
Yes, to Free or lower tier |
Reduce spend without losing your account history or data. |
| You want to test MailerLite again later |
No |
Yes, to Free |
Preserve your account. Restart a paid plan whenever you are ready. |
After you cancel: next steps and escalation
Cancellation is the start of the process, not the end. Several actions after cancellation protect you from surprise charges and data loss.
Verify your cancellation within 5 days
- Log into your MailerLite account three to five days after cancelling.
- Check your Account Settings to confirm you are on the Free plan (or that the account has closed entirely).
- Review your billing history to verify no new charges appear after your cancellation date.
- If MailerLite has charged you after cancellation, contact support immediately with screenshots of the cancellation confirmation and the erroneous charge.
Check your bank or credit card statement
- Review your next statement after your billing cycle ends.
- Confirm that MailerLite has not charged you again.
- If an unexpected charge appears, dispute it with your bank and provide the cancellation email as evidence.
- Yafee recommends setting a calendar reminder for your next expected billing date so you can catch errors quickly.
Export and back up your data
- While your account remains accessible, download your subscriber list as a CSV file.
- Export campaign templates if you plan to reuse them elsewhere.
- Take screenshots of any reports or analytics you wish to retain.
- Do not rely on MailerLite storing this data indefinitely after cancellation.
Escalate if MailerLite refuses to cancel
If MailerLite's support team refuses your cancellation request or ignores it, escalate to the National Credit Regulator (NCR) or Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO). Provide your cancellation confirmation email, all correspondence with MailerLite, and bank statements showing unwanted charges. The NCR and CGSO have authority to compel MailerLite to honour your cancellation request and refund unauthorised charges.
MailerLite operates as a cloud-based service with no single physical cancellation address. The company is based in Lithuania and manages cancellations entirely through its online platform. You should not attempt to cancel by mailing a physical letter; instead, use the web cancellation process outlined in this guide.
If you need to contact MailerLite support for assistance with cancellation, visit their website at https://mailerlite.com and use the "Contact Support" or "Help" link to open a support ticket. You can also email their support team, though response times via email are slower than through the platform.
MailerLite support contact details
- Web: https://mailerlite.com (support portal and contact form)
- Help centre: https://help.mailerlite.com (knowledge base and FAQs)
- Live chat: Available within your MailerLite account dashboard during business hours
For complaints about MailerLite's refusal to cancel or unauthorised charges, contact the enforcement bodies below:
- National Credit Regulator (NCR): Tel +27 (0)11 712 8700 or visit www.ncr.org.za
- Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO): Tel +27 (0)12 346 5800 or visit www.cgso.org.za
Your path forward with yafee
Cancelling MailerLite does not have to be stressful. By following the steps in this guide and understanding your consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, you take control of your subscription and protect yourself from surprise charges or data loss. Cancel within 14 days and you preserve your refund entitlement. Cancel after that window and you still have the right to a clean, prompt cancellation without pressure to stay.
Yafee has helped thousands of South African consumers navigate cancellations of SaaS platforms like MailerLite, ensuring they recover refunds, retrieve their data and resolve billing disputes. Whether you are downsizing your email marketing efforts, switching platforms or simply cutting costs, Yafee's contract law expertise and step-by-step guidance remove the guesswork. Visit yafee.com today to access more cancellation guides, contract templates and consumer rights resources tailored specifically to South African law. Yafee is here to ensure your rights are protected and your cancellation is seamless.