Many users cancel a free trial and still notice a charge afterward. This is a common situation and often happens when the trial converts to a paid subscription before the cancellation fully takes effect.
In most cases, the charge appears because the free trial period had already ended or the cancellation was completed after the billing transition began.
Common Reasons a Free Trial Turns Into a Charge
- The free trial ended before the cancellation was confirmed
- The cancellation was completed after the billing transition started
- The trial required cancellation before a specific cutoff time
- The account remained active when the trial period expired
Free trials often switch to paid plans automatically unless they are canceled within the required timeframe.
How to Check Your Free Trial and Billing Status
- Check the exact end date of the free trial in your account
- Confirm the cancellation timestamp shown in your subscription settings
- Review whether the charge applies to the trial end date or the next billing cycle
- Look for a confirmation message or email related to the trial cancellation
If the free trial had already ended, the charge usually applies to the first paid period.
What to Do Next
- Confirm that the subscription is no longer set to renew
- Monitor your payment method to ensure no additional charges appear
- Contact support only if charges continue beyond the first billing period
Understanding how free trials convert to paid subscriptions can help prevent unexpected charges.