The short answer
- Where: Back up your data first (Setup > Data Administration > Data Backup): once on the Free Edition, a backup has to be bought as an add-on.
- Before you go: export Your CRM data, including File Upload and Image Upload field data. What to save
- Want to keep it for less? Free plan and more. Options
Before you cancel
Export first
- Your CRM data, including File Upload and Image Upload field data: Sign in with administrative privileges, go to Setup > Data Administration > Data Backup and choose when the backup runs (.CSV files in a single .ZIP archive). Needs an administrative profile; Ultimate Edition includes four backups without payment (allowances differ by edition), and the Free Edition must buy a one-time backup add-on, so back up before switching to Free; the download link stays active for at most 7 days help.zoho.com
What happens to your data
Zoho keeps data related to user activities for audits and legal requirements for up to two years, then scrubs it. Terminating a Zoho user account deletes all data in it, and a closed CRM account can't be reactivated. On the Free Edition, Zoho may terminate an unpaid account inactive for 120 days in a row and delete its data (with prior notice)
What you lose
- Paid-edition features and users beyond the Free Edition's 3
- The ability to create records beyond the new edition's limits (existing records stay editable)
- Everything, if you delete the CRM account: closed accounts can't be reactivated
Cancel, by who bills you
Pick the route for whoever charges you: the name on your card statement or receipt tells you.
Billed by Zoho CRM
- Back up your data first (Setup > Data Administration > Data Backup): once on the Free Edition, a backup has to be bought as an add-on
- In Zoho CRM, click the profile icon and select ManageYou should see:
the Zoho Store page
- To stop paying, switch to the Free Edition. To pay less instead, use Change Plan (users, pay period or plan) or Downgrade Users/Add-Ons
- If you don't move to Free, email Zoho's payments team at cancellation@zohocorp.com (the address its billing FAQ gives for cancelling) at least seven days before the renewal date to say you don't want to renew
- Notice
- The subscription renews automatically at the end of each period unless you downgrade to a free plan or tell Zoho, at least seven days before the renewal date, that you don't want to renew
- Refunds
- Full refund if you're dissatisfied in the first month (monthly) or first 45 days (annual). If you forget to cancel before a renewal, you can cancel up to five business days (monthly) or fifteen days (annual) after the renewal date for a full refund. Partial downgrades earn credit as a subscription extension. Questions: payments@zohocorp.com
Questions people ask
Can I get a refund if I cancel Zoho CRM?
Full refund if you're dissatisfied in the first month (monthly) or first 45 days (annual). If you forget to cancel before a renewal, you can cancel up to five business days (monthly) or fifteen days (annual) after the renewal date for a full refund. Partial downgrades earn credit as a subscription extension. Questions: payments@zohocorp.com.
Source: help.zoho.com zoho.com help.zoho.com
How long before renewal do I need to cancel Zoho CRM?
The subscription renews automatically at the end of each period unless you downgrade to a free plan or tell Zoho, at least seven days before the renewal date, that you don't want to renew.
Source: zoho.com help.zoho.com
What happens to my data when I cancel Zoho CRM?
Zoho keeps data related to user activities for audits and legal requirements for up to two years, then scrubs it. Terminating a Zoho user account deletes all data in it, and a closed CRM account can't be reactivated. On the Free Edition, Zoho may terminate an unpaid account inactive for 120 days in a row and delete its data (with prior notice).
Source: help.zoho.com zoho.com help.zoho.com
Keep it for less
Before cancelling, check whether one of these does the job. Offers change and differ by account.
- Free plan Zoho CRM's Free Edition supports up to 3 users with the essentials such as leads, documents and mobile apps. If you're over the new edition's record limit, you can still edit existing records but can't create new ones zoho.com help.zoho.com
- Fewer seats Cancel user licenses whenever you want: profile icon, Manage, then Downgrade Users/Add-Ons on the Zoho Store page, choose how many to remove, and confirm help.zoho.com
- Cheaper plan Change Plan lets you move to a cheaper edition or change the pay period; partial downgrades on a paid plan are credited as an extension of the subscription help.zoho.com help.zoho.com
Cheaper ways to get the same job done
Stackcut prices the alternatives to Zoho CRM 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.
- Unless you switch to Free, email cancellation@zohocorp.com at least seven days before the renewal date to say you don't want to renew
- Forgot to cancel? You can still cancel and ask for a full refund up to five business days (monthly) or fifteen days (annual) after the renewal date
- Deleting the CRM account needs the Free Edition or a cancelled subscription and all users deactivated; the Delete CRM account link (Setup > General > Company Settings) appears seven days later
- To switch from annual to monthly billing, email payments@zohocorp.com
- Back up data before switching to Free (Setup > Data Administration > Data Backup): the Free Edition has to buy a backup add-on; the download link expires after 7 days
Get this plan as data: get_exit_plan on the Stackcut MCP (stackcut.io/mcp), or /exits/zoho_crm.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.
Delete your account (separate from cancelling)
Cancelling stops the payments; deleting removes the account and its data. Delete-account page (rated easy).
Link from JustDeleteMe (MIT).
Sources
- Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
If you no longer need the paid plan, you can switch to the free edition.
(moving to the Free Edition) - Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
Go to the profile icon and click Manage.
(where subscription changes start) - Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
switch to the free edition
(the switch to the Free Edition option) - Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
On the Zoho Store page, click Upgrade Users/Add-ons or Downgrade Users/Add-Ons.
(reducing users and add-ons) - Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
If you change your mind to revise your preference, you can change the number of users, or the pay period or even the plan by clicking Change Plan
(the Change Plan option) - Zoho Terms of Service
Your subscription will be automatically renewed at the end of each subscription period unless you downgrade your paid subscription plan to a free plan
(auto-renewal, and downgrading to Free stops it) - Zoho Terms of Service
If you do not wish to renew the subscription, you must inform us at least seven days prior to the renewal date.
(the seven-day notice of non-renewal) - What is your refund policy?
If at anytime during your first month using our service you are dissatisfied
(the first-month refund for monthly plans) - What is your refund policy?
If at anytime during your first 45 days using our service you are dissatisfied
(the 45-day refund for annual plans) - What is your refund policy?
cancel your subscription even upto five business days after your renewal date
(the refund window after a monthly renewal) - What is your refund policy?
fifteen days after your renewal date (for annual subscriptions)
(the refund window after an annual renewal) - What is your refund policy?
you will be provided credits in the form of extension of subscription
(credit for partial downgrades) - What is your refund policy?
For questions, please e-mail payments@zohocorp.com
(where to ask about refunds) - Zoho CRM pricing
Yes, Zoho CRM does have free edition that supports upto 3 users and comes with the essentials like leads, documents, and mobile apps
(the Free Edition) - Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
When you downgrade your edition, if you have already reached the record creation limit for the new edition, you will not be able to create new records.
(record limits after a downgrade) - Manage Subscriptions (Zoho CRM)
You can purchase or cancel user licenses whenever you want in Zoho CRM.
(cancelling user licenses) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
Users with administrative profile can request for data backup.
(who can back up data) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
Go to Setup > Data Administration > Data Backup
(where backups are requested) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
The exported CRM data will be in.CSV format, compressed in a single archived (*.ZIP) file.
(the backup format) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
Backup download link remains active for a maximum of 7 days from the date of backup creation.
(how long the download link lasts) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
Ultimate Edition users can avail four backups without any payment
(free backup allowance) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
The backup includes data from the 'File Upload' and 'Image Upload' fields.
(what the backup includes) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
You have the flexibility to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your service at any time, without constraints.
(cancel at any time) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
Zoho will retain the data related to user activities for audits and legal requirements for a maximum of two years
(data kept after you stop renewing) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
Once an account is closed, reactivation is not possible.
(closing is final) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
If you're subscribed to a paid edition, you must first downgrade to the Free Edition or cancel your subscription entirely.
(deleting the account needs Free or a cancelled plan) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
A week (seven days) after the deactivation of the account's last active user or the cancellation of your subscription
(when the delete link appears) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
If the account has multiple active users, you must deactivate all users before deleting the account.
(users must be deactivated before deleting) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
Go to Setup > General > Company Settings.
(where the delete link is) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
Please reach out to payments@zohocorp.com to switch your payment method from annual to monthly.
(switching annual to monthly) - Zoho Terms of Service
Termination of user account will include denial of access to all Services, deletion of information in your user account such as your email address and password
(terminating a Zoho user account deletes its data) - Zoho CRM pricing
You are not bound by any contracts or commitments. Zoho CRM is a pay-as-you-go service (monthly or yearly)
(no long-term contract) - FAQ: Billing and Payments (Zoho CRM)
Contact the payments team at cancellation@zohocorp.com to cancel your Zoho account.
(the email address for cancelling) - Data Backup | Online Help - Zoho CRM
Users with the free edition of Zoho CRM have to purchase onetime data backup add-on or upgrade to a paid edition
(the Free Edition has no included backups) - Zoho Terms of Service
terminate unpaid user accounts that are inactive for a continuous period of 120 days. In the event of such termination, all data associated with such user account will be deleted.
(inactive unpaid accounts can be deleted)
Not confirmed yet
- The exact Zoho Store button for switching to the Free Edition, and when a switch or cancellation takes effect, are not described step by step
- The Terms don't say how to give the seven-day non-renewal notice; the packet uses the cancellation address from Zoho's billing FAQ
- Which Zoho CRM role can manage the subscription is not stated
- Sales-led or reseller-billed Zoho CRM contracts, and nonprofit or startup programs, were not researched
Independent re-check, 2026-09-29
A second reviewer re-read the official pages and corrected what was wrong or missing; some facts couldn't be re-checked (listed above). The JSON lists what changed.
Partly confirmed (see what's unverified), 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).
