Can I unsubscribe from Ars Technica anytime?

Yep. You can cancel your subscription at any time without a penalty. Your access will continue until the end of your current paid billing period, whether that's monthly or yearly.

Can I get a refund from Ars Technica if I forgot to cancel?

Probably not. Like most digital subscriptions, their policy is pretty strict. Once the charge goes through, the money is theirs. It's annoying, but that's the standard for these services.

How do I know my Ars Technica subscription is cancelled?

You should get an email confirmation right away. If you don't, go back to your account's subscription page. It should clearly state that your plan is canceled and show the date your Pro access will expire.

How long does it take for Ars Technica to cancel?

The cancellation itself is instant online. You click the button, and it's done. Your premium access just continues until the period you already paid for runs out.

What else should I know before I cancel my Ars Technica subscription?

Just remember that canceling the 'Pro' subscription doesn't delete your free Ars Technica account. You'll still have your username and comment history, you just won't have the paid features anymore.

How do I raise a complaint to Ars Technica?

Your best bet is to use the official contact form on their website. It's the primary channel for all support issues, including complaints. Be clear and concise about your problem.

How to Cancel Your Ars Technica Subscription (2025)

Maybe you signed up for the deep dives but got tired of the constant doom-scrolling about AI. It happens. Established in 1998, Ars Technica offers tech journalism for $25 to $50 per year. You can save up to $50 by cancelling. Manage it at arstechnica.com. Their parent company, Condé Nast, has faced heat on the Better Business Bureau with over 200 complaints in the last 3 years, often citing "billing disputes" and "hard-to-reach support." With inflation squeezing budgets and the internet debating the value of paywalled news (similar to the recent streaming service backlash), dropping this sub is a quick win. Platforms include desktop and mobile web.

Last Edited on 05 Dec, 2025

Emma Sullivan, EdTech and Media Writer

5 min read

How to Cancel Ars Technica on Desktop

Most users manage their Ars Pro subscription directly through the website on a computer. It is generally the most reliable way to ensure the buttons actually load.

1 Log In to Your Account

Go to the Ars Technica website and log in. You will need your email and password. If you forgot it, reset it now because you cannot cancel without getting in.

2 Access Your Profile

Look for your avatar or username in the top right corner of the screen. Click it to open the dropdown menu. It is sometimes easy to miss if you have a dark theme enabled.

3 Navigate to Subscription Settings

Select My Subscription or Account Settings from the menu. This page shows your current plan status (Pro or Pro++).

4 Initiate Cancellation

Find the link that says Cancel Subscription or Turn off auto-renew. It is often small text near the billing details. Click it.

5 Confirm Your Choice

They might try to keep you with a "Are you sure?" screen. Ignore the guilt trip. Confirm the cancellation until you see a success message.

How to Cancel Ars Technica on Mobile (iOS & Android)

If you are on an iPhone or Android, you likely still need to use the mobile web browser. The experience can be a bit clunky compared to desktop.

1 Open Your Browser

Launch Chrome, Safari, or Firefox on your phone. Ars Technica does not typically handle subscriptions inside a native app store, so you must use the web browser.

2 Go to the Site and Log In

Navigate to the homepage and tap the Log In button. You might need to zoom in if the mobile site is acting up.

3 Find Account Management

Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) or your profile icon. Select Settings or Subscription.

4 Turn Off Auto-Renew

Scroll down to the billing section. Tap Cancel Subscription. You might have to tap it twice if the touchscreen is unresponsive.

Cancel by Email (If Dashboard Fails)

If the website is glitching (which happens more than it should), you can try emailing support. Send a clear request to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your username and the email address associated with the account. Note that email responses can be slow, sometimes taking 3 to 5 business days. Do not rely on this if your renewal is tomorrow.

What is Ars Technica Cancellation Policy

Ars Technica generally does not offer refunds for partial terms. Once you cancel, your access to Ars Pro features (like the ad-free experience and PDF downloads) continues until the end of your current billing cycle. This is standard for Condé Nast publications. If you cancel a day after your $50 renewal hits, you are likely out of luck for getting that money back. Complaints on forums often mention that auto-renewals happen without much warning, so mark your calendar.

Having Trouble Cancelling Your Ars Technica Subscription?

Struggling to find the button? You are not alone.

Check PayPal: If you paid via PayPal, the cancellation link on the Ars site might just redirect you. Go directly to your PayPal account, find Recurring Payments, and cancel the authorization for Condé Nast or Ars Technica there.
Disable Ad Blockers: Sometimes privacy extensions hide the cancellation scripts. Pause your blocker and refresh the page.
Try Incognito Mode: Old cache data can mess up the account dashboard. Open a private window and try logging in again.
Contact Support: If the "Cancel" button is literally missing, take a screenshot and email support immediately to create a paper trail.

Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)

Plan Name	Annual Price	Monthly Price	Key Features
Ars Pro	$25.00	N/A	Ad-free reading, full-text RSS, PDF downloads
Ars Pro++	$50.00	N/A	All Pro features + digital subscription to WIRED

How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your Ars Technica Subscription

With tech subscriptions piling up and prices creeping higher across the board in 2024 and 2025, cutting a niche news subscription is a smart move to reclaim your budget. Pine AI makes it effortless.

Step 1: Let's get started to cancel Ars Technica Simply tell us that you want to cancel your subscription with Ars Technica, and we will ask for some account details to get started.
Step 2: Pine gets to work We navigate the confusing clicks, wait on hold, and handle the awkward conversations to ensure it is actually cancelled. We don't just suggest it; we finish it.
Step 3: You're free from Ars Technica The payments stop and you get your time back. No "retention offers," no run-around, just a confirmed "one-and-done" result.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ars Technica

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Emma Sullivan

EdTech and Media Writer

Emma Sullivan is the EdTech & Media Writer at Pine AI, focusing on the intersection of educational technology, digital media, and consumer trends. With over a decade of experience as a technology journalist and an educator, Emma brings a unique, hands-on perspective to their analysis. In her full time profession Emma teaches digital literacy programs and reports for leading technology publications, where they cover the launch of major educational platforms and the integration of new media in learning environments. Emma is committed to providing readers with practical, insightful, and reliable guidance whether it's about saving money or practical subscription hacks, she wants to empower consumers through knowleddge.