How to Cancel Gym, Software, and App Subscriptions

We covered how to cancel streaming subscriptions in a previous guide. But streaming is only part of the picture. Gym memberships, software licenses, App Store subscriptions, and delivery services make up a huge portion of recurring spending — and they're often harder to cancel.

This guide walks you through the exact cancellation steps for the most common non-streaming subscriptions, including the services that are notorious for making cancellation difficult.

Why Non-Streaming Subscriptions Are Harder to Cancel

Streaming services have gotten the message that easy cancellation builds trust. Most let you cancel online in 2-3 clicks. The rest of the subscription world hasn't caught up.

Gym chains often require in-person visits, certified letters, or phone calls during limited business hours. Software companies bury the cancel button behind multiple screens of retention offers. App Store subscriptions are managed separately from the app itself, so many people don't even know where to find them. And some services have minimum commitment periods that prevent cancellation entirely for the first 6-12 months.

Knowing the specific cancellation process before you start saves time and frustration. Here's how to cancel the most common non-streaming subscriptions.

How to Cancel Gym Memberships

Gym memberships are among the most commonly forgotten subscriptions, and they're famously difficult to cancel. Here are the major chains:

Planet Fitness

Cost: $15-$24.99/month

Planet Fitness requires you to either visit your home club in person or send a certified letter. You cannot cancel online or by phone. Write a letter requesting cancellation, include your name, address, and membership number, and send it via certified mail to your home club's address. Keep the tracking receipt as proof.

LA Fitness

Cost: $30-$40/month

LA Fitness cancellation varies by location. Some clubs accept in-person cancellation; others require a written request sent to their corporate office. Your best bet is to visit the front desk and ask for their specific cancellation process, then follow up in writing to document the request.

Equinox

Cost: $200-$300+/month

Equinox requires 45 days' written notice before cancellation takes effect. Email your home club or visit the front desk. Be aware of your contract terms — many Equinox memberships have a 12-month minimum commitment.

Peloton

Cost: $12.99-$44/month

For the Peloton App membership ($12.99), cancel through the app or at members.onepeloton.com > Membership > Cancel. For the All-Access membership ($44), you can cancel online, but if you're still paying off the bike or tread, the hardware financing continues separately.

Tip: For any gym, always get written confirmation of your cancellation. Gyms are notorious for "losing" cancellation requests and continuing to charge.

How to Cancel Software Subscriptions

Adobe Creative Cloud

Cost: $22.99-$59.99/month

1. Go to account.adobe.com and sign in.
2. Click Plans, then Manage plan.
3. Click Cancel your plan.
4. Adobe will present retention offers and a multi-step cancellation flow. Keep clicking through until cancellation is confirmed.

Warning: If you're on an annual plan paid monthly, Adobe charges an early termination fee of 50% of the remaining contract. To avoid this, switch to a month-to-month plan first (which costs more per month) and then cancel.

Microsoft 365

Cost: $6.99-$9.99/month

1. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in.
2. Click Services & subscriptions.
3. Find Microsoft 365 and click Manage > Cancel.
4. Follow the prompts. You'll keep access until the end of your billing period.

Tip: Consider whether you really need Microsoft 365. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are free and handle most use cases. LibreOffice is a free desktop alternative.

Canva Pro

Cost: $12.99/month

1. Log in to canva.com and click your profile icon.
2. Go to Account settings > Billing & plans.
3. Click the three dots next to your plan and select Cancel subscription.

How to Cancel App Store Subscriptions (iPhone)

App Store subscriptions are managed by Apple, not the app developer. Deleting an app does not cancel the subscription — you must cancel through Settings.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top, then tap Subscriptions.
3. You'll see all active subscriptions. Tap the one you want to cancel.
4. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm.

Common App Store subscriptions people forget about: Calm ($69.99/year), Headspace ($69.99/year), weather apps like CARROT ($19.99/year), photo editors, and VPN services. Check your subscription list — there are almost always one or two surprises.

How to Cancel Google Play Subscriptions (Android)

Like Apple, Google manages the billing for Play Store subscriptions. Uninstalling the app doesn't stop the charges.

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
3. Tap Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
4. Find the subscription and tap Cancel subscription.

Tip: If you subscribed through a third-party app (not the Play Store), the subscription won't appear here. You'll need to cancel through the service's own website or app.

How to Cancel Meal Kit and Delivery Services

HelloFresh

Log in at hellofresh.com > Account Settings > Plan Settings > Cancel Plan. HelloFresh shows multiple retention screens and will offer pausing, skipping, or discounts. Keep clicking through to complete the cancellation. Note: you must cancel before the weekly order deadline (usually 5 days before delivery) or you'll be charged for the next box.

DoorDash DashPass

Open the DoorDash app > Account > Manage DashPass > Cancel Membership. You can also cancel at doordash.com under Account > DashPass.

Instacart+

Open the Instacart app > Account > Instacart+ membership > Cancel membership. Instacart will show you how much you've saved on delivery fees to try to retain you.

Dealing with Cancellation Friction

Some services make cancellation deliberately frustrating. Here's how to handle common tactics:

• "Call to cancel" services: If a service requires a phone call, write down your cancellation request beforehand. State clearly: "I want to cancel my membership effective today." Don't engage with retention offers unless you genuinely want a deal. Note the representative's name and the confirmation number.
• Certified letter requirements: Some gyms and legacy services require a mailed letter. Use USPS certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy of the letter.
• Retention offer loops: Adobe, HelloFresh, and others show multiple screens of offers before letting you cancel. Don't feel pressured — keep clicking through. The cancel button is always at the end.
• Early termination fees: Read your contract before cancelling. Some services (Adobe annual plans, gym contracts) charge fees for early cancellation. It's sometimes cheaper to ride out the contract than to pay the penalty.

Keep Track After You Cancel

Cancelling is only half the job. You also need to verify the charges actually stop. Here's a post-cancellation checklist:

1. Screenshot every cancellation confirmation.
2. Note the date and the expected final billing date.
3. Check your bank statement after the next billing cycle to confirm the charge is gone.
4. Keep cancelled subscriptions in your subscription tracker for a month after cancellation so you can verify they actually stopped billing.

CustomSubs includes cancellation guides with direct links and phone numbers for dozens of popular services, making this entire process faster. Add your subscriptions, use the built-in guides when you're ready to cancel, and let the reminders handle the rest.