How to cancel Descript

Before you cancel

Export first

• Finished compositions (video, audio, GIF, text or subtitle files): In the editor, click Export in the top-right corner and set the Destination to Local export to save the file to your computer (Video, audio, GIF, text or subtitle files). The Free plan lists 720p video export, so export full-resolution video before the paid plan ends help.descript.com descript.com
• A project backup file (one project at a time): Open the project, click the ☰ menu in the top-left corner, choose Help & feedback > Debug > Export project backup, pick a destination and click Save (.debackup) help.descript.com

What happens to your data

Projects stay accessible on the Free plan. Unused top-up balance is kept but can't be used on Free, and its 12-month expiry still runs. Deleting the account permanently removes projects, Drives, transcripts and invoices, and Descript deletes data you delete from its servers.

What you lose

• Features of your paid plan that the Free plan doesn't include
• Use of any remaining top-up balance while on Free
• If you delete the account: all projects, compositions and media, every Drive you own, transcripts, invoices and receipts, and any unused plan time

Cancel, by who bills you

Pick the route for whoever charges you: the name on your card statement or receipt tells you.

Questions people ask

Keep it for less

Before cancelling, check whether one of these does the job. Offers change and differ by account.

• Cheaper plan Pick a cheaper paid plan in the plan picker (Plan tab, Change plan); a downgrade takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle. Legacy plans can't be restored once you leave them help.descript.com help.descript.com
• Free plan Cancelling is the same as moving to the Free plan: existing projects stay accessible. Free lists 60 media minutes a month and 720p video export help.descript.com descript.com
• Fewer seats Lower Editor seats or transcription hours: open App Settings, select Edit current plan, change the number and click Save changes (set seats to one to keep only the Drive owner editing). Not possible while a payment is past due help.descript.com
• Pay yearly Annual billing saves up to 35% over monthly; switching from monthly to annual takes effect immediately, with a prorated credit descript.com help.descript.com
• Student or nonprofit price Students, educators and 501(c)(3) (or equivalent) nonprofits can apply for the EDU/NFP plan: Hobbyist features at a reduced rate help.descript.com

Cheaper ways to get the same job done

Stackcut prices the alternatives to Descript from public list prices.

For AI agents

• The person signs in and handles any two-factor code; an agent should never ask for a password.
• Retention step: Selecting a reason for canceling is required before the Cancel subscription button
• Each Drive has its own separately billed plan: cancel every Drive you own, or charges continue
• Cancelling keeps your account and projects; deleting the account is separate, permanent and forfeits unused time without a refund
• Ask for any refund first: plans only within 48 hours of the invoice date, Editor seats within 7 days
• Leaving a legacy plan is permanent: you can't return to it
• A past-due account can't change its plan until the payment issue is resolved
• A pending cancellation can be undone from the Plan tab before the cycle ends
• Download transcripts and invoices before deleting the account

Get this plan as data: get_exit_plan on the Stackcut MCP (stackcut.io/mcp), or /exits/descript.json. After using a guide, send structured report_guide_feedback for matching or changed steps, missing billing routes or human handoffs; keep unknown language and market omitted. Confirm with the person before the final click, and report the outcome with report_action_outcome, using the exact packet_revision and route_id returned by the plan.

Or give your agent the stackcut-leave skill (a zip): it exports first, walks the steps, stops when the page doesn't match, and leaves the final click to the person.

Sources

1. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Log in at web.descript.com or open the desktop app. (where the flow starts)
2. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Open App Settings with Command/Control + , (comma) (opening App Settings)
3. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Canceling your subscription is the same as downgrading to the Free plan. (cancelling means moving to Free)
4. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Go to the Plan tab and click Change plan. (the Plan tab step)
5. Downgrade or cancel a subscription If you own multiple Drives, use the Drive picker in the sidebar to select the correct Drive. (choosing the Drive)
6. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Select the plan you want to switch to. To cancel, choose Downgrade to Free. (the Downgrade to Free choice)
7. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Select a reason for canceling (required), then click Cancel subscription. (the required reason and the Cancel subscription button)
8. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Follow the prompts until you see the cancellation confirmation message. (how to confirm)
9. Downgrade or cancel a subscription You'll stay on your current plan until the end of your billing cycle. After that, your Drive will switch to the Free plan. (when the cancellation takes effect)
10. Downgrade or cancel a subscription If you change your mind before the billing cycle ends, you can cancel the pending downgrade or cancellation. (a pending cancellation can be undone)
11. Downgrade or cancel a subscription To avoid unexpected charges, make any changes before your next renewal date. (cancel before the renewal date)
12. Downgrade or cancel a subscription If you see charges after canceling, check whether you own other Drives or accounts with active subscriptions. Each Drive has its own separately billed plan. (each Drive is billed separately)
13. Refund policy Plan refunds: Available within 48 hours of the invoice date (the plan refund window)
14. Refund policy Editor seat refunds: Available within 7 days of the invoice date (the Editor seat refund window)
15. Refund policy Top-up purchases (additional Media Minutes or AI Credits): Non-refundable (top-ups aren't refunded)
16. Refund policy If canceling your plan, downgrading to a lower tier, or switching from annual to monthly billing, the change takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. (cancellations and downgrades apply at the end of the cycle)
17. Refund policy Descript doesn't offer prorated refunds for unused time on your billing cycle. (no prorated refunds)
18. Refund policy Submit a request to our Support team from the email associated with your Descript account. (how to request a refund or cancellation from support (the page links Submit a request to descript.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new))
19. Drive admins Admins configure drive-level settings including plan details, drive name, drive logo, and Brand Studio permissions. (Drive admins configure plan details)
20. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Descript support can only process cancellation requests coming from Drive owner's email address. (support cancels only for the Drive owner's email)
21. Downgrade or cancel a subscription If the original owner has left your company, we recommend working with your IT team to regain access or reinstate their email. (when the Drive owner has left)
22. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Contact our support team for help. (contacting support about a cancellation)
23. Enterprise plan Enterprise plans include access to a dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM) who supports onboarding, training, and ongoing account needs. (Enterprise customers have a CSM for account needs)
24. Enterprise plan Direct access to your assigned CSM for account and workflow guidance (contacting the assigned CSM)
25. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Once you leave a legacy plan, you can't return to it — even if you change your mind. (legacy plans can't be restored)
26. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Your existing projects will remain accessible. (projects stay after cancelling)
27. Descript pricing 60 minutes (1 hr) / month (the Free plan's media minutes)
28. Descript pricing 720p (the Free plan's export resolution)
29. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Update the number of seats or transcription hours. To limit editing to just the Drive owner, set seats to one. (reducing seats)
30. Downgrade or cancel a subscription If your account is past due or your last payment failed, you won't be able to adjust your plan until the issue is resolved. (past-due accounts can't change plans)
31. Descript pricing Saving up to 35% over monthly plan (the annual billing saving)
32. How billing works in Descript Switching from monthly to annual billing takes effect immediately. (switching to annual billing)
33. Non-profit and education subscription If you're a student, teacher, academic staffer, or a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Descript is available at a reduced rate. (the education and nonprofit discount)
34. Non-profit and education subscription The Non-profit / Education plan includes all features of the Hobbyist plan at a discounted price. (what the EDU/NFP plan includes)
35. Export and publishing overview You export a composition by selecting Export in the top right corner of the main editor. (where exporting starts)
36. Export and publishing overview Export your content as a video, audio, GIF, text, or subtitle file. (export formats)
37. Export and publishing overview Setting the Destination to Local export offers the ability to export a file to your computer. (saving an export to your computer)
38. Find and create project backup files Click the ☰ menu in the top-left corner, then select Help & feedback > Debug > Export project backup. (exporting a project backup)
39. Find and create project backup files Choose a destination, name your file (e.g. MyProjectBackup.debackup), then click Save. (the backup file format)
40. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Descript preserves your remaining top up balance, but you won't be able to use it while on a Free plan. (top-up balance after cancelling)
41. Downgrade or cancel a subscription Upgrade back to a paid plan to use your available balance. The original 12-month expiration period continues to apply. (top-ups still expire after 12 months)
42. Downgrade or cancel a subscription You'll still have access to your projects, but any features from your previous plan that aren't included in your new one will no longer be available. (what you lose on the Free plan)
43. Delete your Descript account Deleting your account does not cancel your subscription or trigger a refund. (deleting is not a refund)
44. Delete your Descript account Any active subscriptions — your plan will be canceled immediately, and unused time will be forfeited. (deleting forfeits unused plan time)
45. Delete your Descript account Once deleted, your personal data, projects, and email address will be removed from Descript, and your account will no longer be accessible. (what account deletion removes)
46. Delete your Descript account All transcripts. Download transcripts before deleting your account. (download transcripts first)
47. Delete your Descript account Invoices and receipts — download them for your records. (download invoices first)
48. Enterprise plan If you delete your data from Descript, we permanently delete it from our servers. (deleted data is permanently removed)
49. Terms of Service we will delete all of the User Content that may be stored in connection with the Descript Service. (content is deleted when access is terminated)

Not confirmed yet

• Descript's help center documents no App Store or Google Play billing, so no app-store route is given
• Enterprise renewal, notice and fee terms aren't published, and the Terms of Service have no renewal or cancellation clauses
• Whether Drive admins (not only the owner) can cancel isn't stated
• The delete-account page says both that deleting doesn't cancel your subscription and that active plans are cancelled immediately with unused time forfeited, so cancel first
• When a seat reduction lowers the bill isn't stated
• What happens to a support-processed cancellation, and when it takes effect, isn't described

Independent re-check, 2026-09-29

A second reviewer re-read the official pages and corrected what was wrong or missing. The JSON lists what changed.

Checked against official help pages, 2026-09-29. Cancel flows change: if this one did, tell us at support@stackcut.io. Stackcut Exits is open data (CC BY 4.0).