With over 100 apps and counting in the HootSuite app directory, it’s a good bet that many Hootsuite users have at least one app installed. Most of these apps are free, and help bring support for additional social networks like YouTube or Instagram to Hootsuite. Some though are paid apps, referred to as Premium Apps, that have a monthly fee associated with them. They tend to provide even greater levels of integration and functionality, and can be incredible additions to your Hootsuite dashboard.
But what if you don’t need or use them any more?
I recently looked at my monthly Hootsuite bill and statement and was reminded that I was still paying for an installed app that I wasn’t using. I had signed up for the free trial (typically 2 days) and had taken a closer look at the website and service the app was tied to. It was mainly for research as it is a service which I don’t personally need, and there’s an additional charge from the third-party website, which I didn’t subscribe to. But I forgot to get rid of the app within Hootsuite so I got dinged for a monthly $4.99 charge. If you aren’t using a paid app, you’ll definitely want to get rid of it and save yourself from unnecessary charges.
How to Cancel a Hootsuite Premium App
The first thing to understand is that the fee for the app is through Hootsuite. It shows up on your monthly statement and is part of the same monthly billing cycle as your Pro account or any other fees or services you have with Hootsuite. The monthly fee is not through the third-party service, though they may have their own fees that they’re charging.
This is an important point because you need to make sure that if you’re no longer using a service, you may potentially have to cancel paid services and accounts in two places. Both with Hootsuite and with the third-party service, if they were charging you as well. Be sure to check!
Second, you won’t find any means for canceling the app fee within your billing area, which is why I’m sharing this article in the first place. I thought that since I was reviewing my bill and could see the Paid App line item, I would be able to cancel it there. Since that’s where you can also modify your Hootsuite subscription, as well as manage add-ons like Hootsuite University or add Team Members, it made sense to me that I’d be able to modify app fees there as well. Nope, my mistake.
Instead, all you actually have to do is uninstall the app. The removal of the app fee from your billing statement should happen automatically and be reflected in your next monthly invoice.
How to Uninstall a Hootsuite App
So of course the next question is, how does one actually uninstall a Hootsuite app? This too is pretty easy, and is the same whether the app is a paid app or a free app.
Step One: Log into your Hootsuite Dashboard.
Step Two: Click on the Puzzle Icon in the left menu to open the App Directory.
Step Three: Click on the link for Installed Apps in the left side of the App Directory window.
Step Four: Find the app you want to remove in the list of installed apps and click on the trash can icon to delete.
Step Five: Click on OK (or Cancel if you change your mind).
And that’s it! Go ahead and close your App Directory window and your monthly billing should stop for that app. Of course, any tabs or streams that you’ve set up that were associated with that app should be removed as well, so make sure you’re not using an app before you remove it.
For reference, both Free and Pro Hootsuite account users can install apps. If you’re on a Free account, you’ll simply need to provide your billing information before proceeding with the installation of a premium app. The billing cycle for that app will start on that date, whereas the Pro account user gets billed on the same monthly cycle. Hootsuite Enterprise users enjoy unlimited use of all premium apps at no extra cost.
There are definitely some great apps, both free and premium, within the Hootsuite App Directory, so check them out. If you haven’t already, sign up for our weekly newsletter so that whenever there’s a new app installed, or other great Hootsuite developments, you can make sure you don’t miss them. And of course, if you really want to up your social media game with Hootsuite, consider picking up “The Unofficial Book on Hootsuite” from Amazon.com here: http://thesmh.co/HootBook.