You finished a free trial believing it would simply end. There was no clear warning, no forced choice, and no obvious step showing a paid plan was starting. Then a charge appeared.
This often happens when users misunderstand how a free trial transitions into a paid plan. The issue is not cancellation timing, but how the trial-to-paid structure actually works.
Free trials usually do not end — they convert.
Why Trial-to-Paid Transitions Cause Confusion
- The free trial is part of a subscription flow, not a standalone period
- Billing begins automatically unless actively stopped
- Plan details are shown at signup, not at trial end
- Access continuity makes the change easy to miss
- No confirmation is required when the paid plan starts
How to Check What Actually Happened
- Review the plan description shown during initial signup
- Check whether the trial was labeled as “auto-convert”
- Confirm the exact moment billing was scheduled to begin
- Identify which plan tier the account moved into
What to Do If the Charge Was Unexpected
- Cancel immediately to prevent the next billing cycle
- Document the signup flow and plan details
- Check refund rules tied to automatic conversions
- Set reminders before future trial transitions
Most free trial charges are not errors — they are conversions users did not realize were built into the plan. Understanding this structure prevents repeat surprises.