Shopify’s Free Trial

Cue the balloons, we did it! After years of writing about free trials that aren’t actually free, we finally found one that doesn’t require any payment. The only downside? It also has one of the shortest trial periods we’ve ever seen.

In a recent TV commercial, above, commerce platform Shopify encourages consumers to start their free trial today. But what the ad fails to mention is that the free trial only lasts three days, and that after three days the free trial becomes a subscription that costs $1 a month for three months, after which regular plan prices apply.

The only way for consumers signing up for the free trial on Shopify’s website to avoid any subscription fees is to click on an inconspicuously placed “skip” button, which is the less visible option to entering your credit card information to “Subscribe for $1” following the free trial. But then you only have three days to try Shopify. Given the nature of the company’s products, which include a website builder, that doesn’t seem like sufficient time to find out whether you want to become a paying customer or not.

But if you do hand over your credit card information, you may find it hard to cancel your subscription, according to a number of consumers who have signed up for Shopify’s free trial. This, despite the company’s claim that you can “cancel anytime.” In addition, some consumers report being charged full price before the three months is up.

It’s no wonder Trustpilot and the BBB, from which the above complaints are taken, give Shopify a 1.3-star customer review rating and an F rating, respectively.

Shopify did not respond to TINA.org’s request for comment.

The bottom line

Beware of the lure of free trial offers as they’re often riddled with problems and unexpected charges. Read the fine print and reviews from consumers who have already signed up to see what they may have to say before taking the plunge.

Find more of our coverage on free trials.