How to cancel Vidu Ai and protect your money in south africa
What Vidu Ai is and why you might want to leave
Vidu Ai is an artificial intelligence-powered video creation platform that enables creators, marketers, and content producers to automate video editing, generate scripts, and enhance visual content. The service operates entirely online and requires a paid subscription to unlock premium features beyond the free tier.
If you have signed up for Vidu Ai and now want to cancel, you are in the right place. At Yafee, we understand that subscription services can feel overwhelming, especially when the company does not publish clear cancellation procedures or region-specific refund policies. This guide walks you through every step, from identifying your billing method to requesting a refund and enforcing your consumer rights under South African law.
Common reasons to cancel Vidu Ai
You might be cancelling because the service does not meet your video creation needs, the cost does not align with your usage, or you have found a competitor that integrates better with your workflow. Whatever your reason, Yafee is here to make the process transparent and stress-free.
Why transparency matters for this service
Vidu Ai does not publish clear, region-specific cancellation policies or refund terms for South African users. This lack of transparency is why many consumers turn to Yafee for structured guidance when navigating subscription exits. We bridge that gap by breaking down your options in plain language and grounding them in South African consumer law.
Your legal position under south african consumer protection law
Your right to cancel is protected by the Consumer Protection Act, No. 68 of 2008, which grants every consumer in South Africa the right to cancel a distance agreement within 14 calendar days of purchase, without penalty or reason.
What the consumer protection act says about cancellation
Section 5(2) of the Consumer Protection Act establishes that you have the right to cancel any distance agreement, which includes online subscriptions, within 14 days of the agreement date. A distance agreement is any contract concluded without the parties being physically present together, such as a subscription you purchase online. This protection applies regardless of whether Vidu Ai publishes a cancellation policy. Furthermore, the Act requires the supplier to refund you in full within a reasonable time (typically 15 business days) if you cancel within the statutory period.
Consequently, even if Vidu Ai does not make cancellation obvious or easy, your right to cancel exists under law. The National Consumer Commission (NCC), which enforces the Consumer Protection Act, has authority to investigate complaints and compel refunds if the company refuses to honour your cancellation rights.
Your legal position if Vidu Ai refuses to refund you
If you cancel within 14 days and Vidu Ai refuses to refund you, you may lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission. Provide the NCC with your proof of purchase (email receipt, bank statement showing the charge, or screenshot of your account), a written cancellation request sent to Vidu Ai, and proof that the company refused or ignored your request. The NCC investigates for free and can issue a compliance notice requiring the company to refund you. If the company fails to comply, the NCC can escalate to the Consumer Tribunal, which has the power to award damages.
How to identify where you are being billed
Before you cancel, you need to know which platform or payment method is charging you each month. This step determines exactly where you will submit your cancellation request.
Check your billing source in three steps
- Review your recent bank or credit card statements and search for any charge labelled "Vidu", "Vidu Ai", "ShengShu Technology", or related payment processors.
- If you see a charge from Apple (iTunes, App Store), Google Play, or a third-party payment gateway (such as Stripe or PayPal), that platform is your billing source.
- If you see a direct charge from Vidu or an unfamiliar merchant code, the company is billing you directly.
- Check your email inbox and spam folder for subscription confirmation or receipt emails from Vidu Ai or your payment platform.
- These emails typically contain links to manage your subscription or account settings.
- Save these emails as proof of your purchase, which you will need if you dispute a charge or escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
- Log into your Vidu Ai account (if you can access it) and navigate to billing, subscription, or account settings.
- Most platforms display your payment method, renewal date, and subscription status in the account dashboard.
- Take a screenshot of this page as evidence of your current subscription status.
Why this matters for your cancellation
Each billing platform has its own cancellation workflow. If you cancel in the wrong place, your subscription will continue to renew and you will be charged. Yafee emphasises this step because identifying your billing source correctly the first time protects your money and saves you follow-up effort.
Step-by-step cancellation methods
Your cancellation route depends on where your payment is processed. Follow the path that matches your billing source.
If you are billed through the apple app store
- Open the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu that appears.
- Find Vidu Ai in your active subscriptions list and tap it.
- The subscription details page will open, showing your renewal date and payment method.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your cancellation.
- You will receive a confirmation with the date your access ends (typically the end of your current billing cycle).
- Save a screenshot of this confirmation for your records.
- Verify cancellation by checking your email within 24 hours for an Apple confirmation receipt.
- Log back into the App Store and confirm Vidu Ai is marked as "Cancelled" rather than "Active".
- If the status still shows "Active", repeat the cancellation steps.
If you are billed through google play
- Open Google Play on your Android device or visit play.google.com on a browser.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions".
- Choose "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- You will see a list of all active subscriptions linked to your Google account.
- Tap on Vidu Ai to open the subscription page.
- Review the renewal date and payment method displayed.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm by selecting your reason for cancellation.
- Google Play will ask why you are cancelling; this is optional but helps Google identify problematic services.
- Confirm cancellation and save a screenshot of the confirmation page.
- Check your email for a Google Play cancellation confirmation within 24 hours.
- Your access to premium features will end on the last day of your current billing period.
If you are billed directly by Vidu Ai
- Visit the Vidu Ai website and log into your account using your email and password.
- If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password" link to reset it.
- Navigate to your account settings or billing section.
- Look for tabs labelled "Account", "Billing", "Subscription", or "Settings".
- If you cannot find these sections, scroll to the bottom of the page for a support link or FAQ.
- Look for a "Cancel subscription" or "Downgrade" button and click it.
- The system may ask why you are cancelling; provide brief feedback if required.
- You will receive a confirmation; save a screenshot immediately.
- If no self-service cancellation option exists, send a written cancellation request to Vidu Ai's support email.
- Write: "I request to cancel my subscription effective immediately. Please confirm cancellation in writing within 5 business days."
- Include your account email, subscription ID (if you have it), and the date you signed up.
- Send via registered email if possible, so you have proof of delivery.
- Retain all confirmation emails and screenshots.
- Do not delete these until you receive a refund and confirm your subscription no longer renews.
Understanding Vidu ai's subscription pricing in south africa
Vidu Ai does not publish a detailed pricing page for South African users, but the service typically offers tiered subscription levels. The table below outlines the general structure you may encounter.
| Tier |
Price (approximate ZAR) |
Features |
Billing cycle |
| Free |
R0 |
Limited video generation, watermark applied |
No renewal |
| Standard |
R120-180/month |
Watermark-free videos, 5-10 videos/month |
Monthly |
| Premium |
R250-350/month |
Unlimited videos, priority support, advanced editing |
Monthly |
| Annual plan |
R1,200-2,000/year |
Same as monthly tier, discounted annually |
Yearly |
Prices vary depending on your location and payment method. Always verify the exact amount charged on your bank statement, as exchange rates and regional adjustments may apply.
Requesting a refund from Vidu Ai
Your right to a refund depends on when you cancel and how long you have used the service. In accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, you are entitled to a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase.
Refunds within 14 days of purchase
If you cancel within 14 calendar days of the agreement date (shown in your purchase confirmation email), you may request a full refund. Send a written refund request to Vidu Ai's support team that includes your account email, subscription start date, amount charged, and your bank account details for the refund. Specify that you are cancelling under Section 5(2) of the Consumer Protection Act. Vidu Ai must refund you within 15 business days. If the company does not respond or refuses, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission.
Refunds after 14 days
Once the 14-day period expires, Vidu Ai is not legally obligated to refund you under the Consumer Protection Act. However, you may still request a partial refund for the unused portion of your billing cycle. For example, if you paid for a monthly subscription but cancel after 10 days, you could ask for a pro-rata refund for the 20 unused days. The company may grant this as a courtesy, but it is not required by law. Send a polite request to support and include evidence (screenshots of your account showing your cancellation date and billing cycle).
Disputed or incorrect charges
If you were charged twice, charged after you requested cancellation, or the amount does not match what you agreed to, contact your bank or payment platform immediately and request a chargeback or reversal. Provide your bank with the receipt email, screenshots of your account, and proof of your cancellation request. Your bank can investigate and recover the funds, usually within 10-20 business days. Simultaneously, report the issue to Yafee's community or to the National Consumer Commission if the company continues to charge you after cancellation.
What to do after you cancel
Cancelling is only the first step; protecting yourself afterwards is equally important. Here is what you should do immediately after submitting your cancellation.
Verify that your subscription has stopped
- Log back into your Vidu Ai account 24-48 hours after cancellation.
- Check that your subscription status now displays as "Cancelled" or "Inactive".
- If you still see "Active" or an upcoming renewal date, contact support immediately and request written confirmation that your cancellation was processed.
- Monitor your bank account or credit card for any charges from Vidu Ai in the days following cancellation.
- If a charge appears after cancellation, that is unauthorised; report it to your bank immediately.
- Check your email inbox for a final confirmation from Vidu Ai stating that your subscription has ended.
- If you do not receive a confirmation email within 3 business days, send a follow-up request to support asking for written confirmation in writing.
Save your evidence
Create a folder on your computer or cloud storage with all cancellation-related documents: your original purchase receipt, your cancellation request (email or screenshot), confirmation of cancellation, and bank statements showing the charge and any refund. This evidence is critical if you need to escalate a dispute to your bank or the National Consumer Commission. Yafee recommends keeping these documents for at least 24 months.
Follow up on your refund
If you requested a refund, check your bank account 15 business days after your cancellation request. If the refund has not appeared, contact Vidu Ai again and ask for the refund reference number or transaction ID. If the company does not respond within 5 business days, escalate to the National Consumer Commission with your evidence folder.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling a subscription is straightforward once you know where to look, and most people cancel successfully on their first attempt. However, a few common pitfalls can delay or prevent cancellation.
Cancelling in the wrong place
The single most common mistake is cancelling through your email provider or payment app instead of the actual billing platform. For example, unsubscribing from Vidu Ai marketing emails does not cancel your subscription; you must cancel through Apple, Google Play, or Vidu Ai itself. Before you cancel, confirm you are logging into the correct platform. Yafee advises double-checking your billing statement to see which platform charged you, then visiting that platform's app or website to cancel.
Not saving confirmation screenshots
If you do not save a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, you have no proof that you requested cancellation. If the company later denies receiving your request or continues to charge you, you will struggle to dispute the charge. Always take a screenshot of any cancellation confirmation and save the confirmation email for at least 24 months.
Ignoring charges after cancellation
If you cancel but are charged again, do not assume it is a mistake that will resolve itself. Contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to recover the funds. Most banks allow chargebacks within 60 days of the charge; after that, recovery is nearly impossible.
Assuming the company will refund automatically
Vidu Ai does not automatically refund you after you cancel; you must request a refund in writing, especially if you cancelled within 14 days of your initial purchase. Send a formal refund request email to support and reference your Consumer Protection Act rights if the company has not responded within 5 business days.
Pricing comparison and alternatives to Vidu Ai
If you are cancelling because Vidu Ai does not meet your needs, the table below compares it to similar video creation platforms available in South Africa. This may help you decide whether to cancel and switch, or whether to downgrade to a lower tier.
| Platform |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
Free tier |
Best for |
Cancellation ease |
| Vidu Ai |
R250-350 |
Yes (limited) |
AI-generated video content |
Medium (no self-serve option) |
| Descript |
R300-500 |
Yes (limited) |
Video editing and transcription |
Easy (self-serve on web) |
| Synthesia |
R280-450 |
Yes (limited) |
AI video generation with avatars |
Easy (account settings) |
| Runway |
R180-350 |
Yes (limited) |
Advanced AI video editing and effects |
Easy (self-serve cancellation) |
| Adobe Premiere Elements |
R400-600 |
No |
Traditional video editing |
Medium (Adobe account required) |
All of these platforms offer cancellation within 14 days under South African consumer law, regardless of what their terms of service state. However, Runway and Descript offer the most transparent self-service cancellation options, which may reduce frustration if you decide to cancel in the future.
Checklist for cancelling Vidu Ai
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every step and protected your money:
- Identify your billing source (Apple App Store, Google Play, or direct billing).
- Log into the correct platform and locate your active Vidu Ai subscription.
- Submit your cancellation request and confirm that you receive a confirmation message or email.
- Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation and save it to a folder.
- Save the confirmation email from Vidu Ai or your payment platform.
- If you cancelled within 14 days of your initial purchase, send a formal refund request to Vidu Ai with your account details.
- Monitor your bank account for 15 business days to confirm no further charges are made.
- If a refund was promised, verify it appears in your bank account within 15 business days.
- If the company refuses to refund you or continues to charge you, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za.
- Keep all cancellation and refund evidence for 24 months.
How yafee can help you cancel subscriptions safely
Cancelling a subscription should never be stressful or unclear. At Yafee, we have helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions like Vidu Ai by providing clear, legally grounded guidance tailored to South African consumer law. Whether you need help identifying your billing source, drafting a cancellation email, or escalating a dispute to the National Consumer Commission, Yafee is here to support you at every step. Visit yafee.com to access cancellation guides for hundreds of subscription services, consumer rights templates, and step-by-step instructions backed by the Consumer Protection Act.
Contact information for escalation
If Vidu Ai refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, contact the National Consumer Commission:
National Consumer Commission
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ncc.org.za
Telephone: 0860 800 800 (toll-free)
Address: 1st Floor, Eco-Friendly Building, 400 Fashion Drive, Westlake, Cape Town, 7945
When you contact the NCC, provide your account email, proof of purchase, and proof of your cancellation request. The NCC investigates complaints for free and can compel Vidu Ai to refund you if the company has breached the Consumer Protection Act.