How to cancel Roam Research and protect your data in south africa
What is Roam Research and why you might cancel
Roam Research is a networked note-taking application that transforms individual notes into a interconnected visual knowledge graph. Professionals across South Africa rely on it for research workflows, personal knowledge management, and linking concepts across projects. However, if the subscription no longer delivers value, or you have discovered a tool that better serves your workflow, cancelling becomes a straightforward process once you understand your options.
Understanding what Roam Research offers
Roam Research allows you to build interconnected notes and graph structures accessible across all your devices. You can collaborate with team members, access your workspace from anywhere, and visualise how your ideas relate to one another. The platform stores all data on Roam's cloud servers, meaning your information remains there until you formally request deletion. For many South African users, this centralised storage represents either a major advantage or a reason to switch to offline-first alternatives.
Common reasons south africans cancel
Users typically cancel because they have switched to another note-taking platform such as Obsidian or Notion, found that subscription costs no longer justify the features they actually use, or concluded that simpler, offline-first applications better suit their workflow. Some cancel after the free trial when they discover the learning curve steeper than anticipated. Whatever your reason, Yafee has designed this guide to walk you through every cancellation option available to you, ensuring you retain full control of your data throughout the process.
Your consumer rights under south african law
Before you cancel, you must understand what protections South African consumer law extends to you as a digital subscriber.
Digital subscriptions and the cooling-off period
South African consumer law does not automatically grant you a 14-day cooling-off right for digital subscriptions such as Roam Research. This differs fundamentally from physical goods, where you typically have 14 days to cancel under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). With digital services, your rights depend entirely on what Roam's terms of service explicitly state. This is why reviewing the provider's stated terms before subscribing becomes critical. If Roam promises a refund or cooling-off period in its terms, that promise becomes a binding part of your contract.
Protection against unfair contract terms
You are protected under the Consumer Protection Act against unfair, hidden, or misleading contract terms. If Roam uses language designed to trap you into auto-renewal without clear disclosure, or deliberately buries cancellation instructions, you have grounds to challenge those terms under South African law. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) can intervene if the company refuses to honour legitimate complaints about unfair practices. Keep this leverage in mind if Roam resists your cancellation request or denies a refund you believe is fair.
Your legal position
You hold the right to cancel any digital subscription so long as you follow the process the provider specifies in its terms. If Roam fails to cancel your subscription after you have issued a clear, documented cancellation request, you may lodge a complaint with the NCC. Furthermore, if Roam continues to charge you after cancellation, you have grounds to dispute the charge through your bank or payment processor under fraud prevention rules.
Three methods to cancel your Roam Research subscription
You can cancel Roam Research through three primary pathways, depending on how you originally signed up and which platform you use.
Method 1: cancel directly via the Roam Research website
This is the fastest and most transparent route to cancellation, because you retain full control and can verify exactly when your subscription ends.
- Go to roamresearch.com and log into your account using your email address and password.
- Navigate to your Account settings or Billing section (typically located in the user menu at the top right of the screen).
- Look for an option labelled "Cancel subscription," "Manage subscription," or similar wording.
- Click to confirm cancellation. You will receive a confirmation email immediately.
- Your paid access continues until the end of your current billing cycle; your subscription will not renew after that date.
Pro tip: Before clicking confirm, take a screenshot of your confirmation page and save the confirmation email. Yafee recommends keeping these records for at least 12 months in case a billing dispute arises.
Method 2: cancel an apple app store subscription
If you signed up for Roam through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's subscription management system. Roam cannot process this cancellation for you.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Tap or click your name at the top of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions" (or "Media and Purchases" on some devices).
- Find "Roam Research" in the list and tap it.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice.
- You will see a confirmation that your subscription has been cancelled. Apple will send a confirmation email.
Your access continues until your renewal date; Apple will not charge you again after cancellation.
Method 3: cancel a google play subscription
If you use an Android device and subscribed through Google Play, you must cancel via Google's subscription portal rather than through Roam directly.
- Open Google Play Store on your Android device or visit play.google.com in a web browser.
- Tap your profile icon (top right) and select "Payments and subscriptions."
- Choose "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Tap "Roam Research" from your active subscriptions list.
- Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
- Google will send you a cancellation confirmation email.
Your subscription will end at the conclusion of your current billing period.
Refunds, billing cycles, and what happens after cancellation
Understanding Roam's refund policy and billing behaviour is essential to ensuring you do not incur unexpected charges.
When your final charge occurs
Roam Research operates on a subscription model with no pro-rata refunds for cancellation mid-cycle. When you cancel, your paid access continues through the end of your current billing period (whether monthly or annual). You will not be charged again after that date. Consequently, if you cancel on day 5 of a 30-day cycle, you retain full access for the remaining 25 days, but you receive no refund for the unused portion.
Refund eligibility in south africa
Roam Research does not typically offer refunds for cancelled subscriptions under its standard terms. However, under the Consumer Protection Act, you may qualify for a refund if you can demonstrate unfair trading practices. For example, if Roam's cancellation process was deliberately obstructed, or if the service failed to deliver core functionality described at signup, you may lodge a formal complaint with the NCC requesting a refund. Yafee advises documenting any service failures or misleading claims in writing before pursuing this route.
Data deletion after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription does not automatically delete your data. Your notes, graphs, and workspace remain on Roam's servers. If you wish to delete all your data, you must request this separately through your account settings or contact Roam Research support directly at [email protected]. South African data protection principles recommend that you request deletion within 30 days of cancellation to ensure your information is removed promptly.
Roam Research pricing and billing overview
Understanding the costs involved helps you assess whether cancellation saves money or whether a different plan better suits your budget.
| Plan |
Monthly cost (USD equivalent) |
Annual cost (USD equivalent) |
Key features |
Refund policy |
| Free |
$0 |
$0 |
Basic note-taking, limited collaborative features |
N/A |
| Believer |
$10.99 (approximately R200) |
$99.99 (approximately R1800) |
Full features, unlimited notes, collaborative workspace |
No refund mid-cycle |
| Citizen |
$500 (approximately R9000) |
N/A |
Premium support, priority feature requests, bespoke workflows |
No refund mid-cycle |
Note: USD-to-ZAR conversions are approximate and fluctuate daily. Check your bank statement for the exact amount charged in South African Rands.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation is straightforward when you follow the correct procedure, but a few common errors can delay the process or create disputes.
Relying on email requests without confirmation
Sending an email to Roam's support team requesting cancellation is not enough on its own. Email is not recorded in Roam's automated billing system, so your request may be overlooked or misplaced. Always use the platform's official cancellation button or tool. If you must email support, retain a copy of the email and request a written confirmation of cancellation within 48 hours. Yafee recommends treating email as a backup method only, not your primary route.
Assuming cancellation deletes your data
Many users cancel their subscription expecting all their notes to disappear automatically. Roam retains your data indefinitely unless you explicitly request deletion. If you do not want Roam storing your information, you must submit a separate data deletion request. South African data protection principles require companies to remove your personal information upon request, so exercise this right if privacy is your concern.
Cancelling via app store but not confirming the subscription end date
When you cancel through Apple or Google, the confirmation screen displays your subscription end date. Write this date down. If you are charged after this date, you have proof of cancellation and can dispute the charge with your bank immediately.
Overlooking auto-renewal notification settings
Some users cancel their subscription but forget to disable auto-renewal notifications in their account settings. Roam will send you reminders before renewal even after cancellation (if you opt into notifications). Check your notification preferences after cancelling to avoid confusion.
What happens after you cancel Roam Research
Cancellation is the beginning of the exit process, not the end. You have several actions to complete to ensure a clean break and protect your data.
Export your data before the subscription ends
Although your data persists after cancellation, Roam's export functionality may require a paid account. Export all your notes, graphs, and documents in a standard format (such as JSON or Markdown) before your subscription expires. This ensures you have a complete backup and can import your knowledge base into another tool if needed. Yafee advises completing this step during your final billing period while you still have full access.
Request formal data deletion
After exporting your data, formally request that Roam delete all your personal information from its servers. Send this request to [email protected] and specify the email address associated with your account. Keep a copy of this email. Roam should respond within 30 days confirming deletion. If the company does not respond, escalate to the NCC.
Monitor your bank statement
Check your bank statement for 60 days after cancellation to ensure no further charges appear. If Roam continues to bill you, contact your bank immediately and dispute the charge as unauthorised. Provide your bank with evidence of cancellation (the confirmation email). Most South African banks will reverse unauthorized charges within 10 business days.
Comparison of note-taking alternatives to Roam Research
If you are considering cancellation, reviewing alternative platforms helps you choose the right replacement tool for your workflow.
| Platform |
Cost |
Offline-first? |
Knowledge graph? |
Best for |
| Obsidian |
Free or $48/year (Sync) |
Yes |
Yes |
Users prioritising privacy and offline access |
| Notion |
Free or $10/month |
No |
No |
Teams and all-in-one workspace management |
| OneNote |
Free with Microsoft 365 |
Hybrid |
No |
Users already in the Microsoft ecosystem |
| Logseq |
Free (open source) |
Yes |
Yes |
Budget-conscious users valuing open-source tools |
| Denote (Emacs) |
Free |
Yes |
No |
Technical users comfortable with text editors |
If the online cancellation process fails, or if you need to dispute charges or request data deletion, use the following contact methods.
Email support
Send cancellation or dispute requests to [email protected]. Include your account email, the date you attempted cancellation, and a clear description of your issue. Roam aims to respond within 48 hours. Keep a copy of your email and the timestamp for your records.
Postal address for formal notices
For formal cancellation notices or escalated disputes, Roam Research accepts postal mail at the following address:
Roam Research Inc.
San Francisco, CA
United States of America
Send correspondence via registered mail with signature required. Include your account email, the date of your cancellation request, and a photocopy of your confirmation email (if available). Allow 14 business days for a response.
Escalation to the national consumer commission
If Roam fails to honour your cancellation request or continues charging you after cancellation, lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission. You can submit complaints online at ncc.org.za or contact them by phone at 0860 008 800. Provide copies of your cancellation request, confirmation emails, and bank statements showing unauthorised charges. The NCC will investigate and can compel Roam to refund your money if the company has breached consumer protection laws.
Your next step: cancel with confidence
Cancelling Roam Research is a protected right under South African consumer law, and the process is straightforward when you use the official cancellation tool on the platform's website or through your app store account. Before you cancel, export all your data, note your subscription end date, and keep your confirmation email for your records. If Roam continues to charge you after cancellation, you have clear remedies: dispute the charge with your bank, and escalate to the National Consumer Commission if necessary.
Yafee has guided thousands of South African consumers through subscription cancellations, helping them protect their data, recover unauthorised charges, and transition to better tools. Whether you are moving to Obsidian, Notion, or simply stepping away from cloud-based note-taking, Yafee's step-by-step approach removes uncertainty from the process. Visit yafee.com to explore your options, read cancellation guides for competing platforms, and access templates for formal cancellation letters and data deletion requests. Your right to cancel is absolute; executing it correctly ensures no surprises on your next bank statement.