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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Retardify cost?

Retardify offers three pricing tiers:

  • Free: 10 credits per month that reset automatically every 30 days
  • Monthly Pro: $10/month for 1,000 credits/month with rollover (max 3,000)
  • Yearly Pro: $100/year for 15,000 credits/year with rollover (max 18,000) - save $20!

You can also purchase one-time credit packs: 500 credits for $4, 1,500 for $10, or 5,000 for $30.

How do credits work?

Credits are deducted based on the AI model you use:

  • 1 credit: Gemini 2.0 Flash, GPT-4o Mini
  • 3 credits: GPT-4o (premium quality)
  • 5 credits: Claude Sonnet (best for code)
  • Auto mode: 1 credit for most content, 5 for code

Free accounts get 10 credits that automatically reset every 30 days with no rollover. Pro subscribers get credits monthly (1,000) or yearly (15,000) with rollover up to their max cap. You can also purchase credit packs separately.

What can Retardify do?

Retardify can simplify and explain:

  • Legal documents: Contracts, terms of service, privacy policies
  • Medical information: Prescription instructions, lab results, research papers
  • Technical manuals: User guides, specifications, documentation
  • Academic papers: Research articles, textbooks, scientific studies
  • Code: Any programming language with detailed explanations
  • Financial documents: Reports, statements, investment prospectuses

The Retardifier slider lets you control how much simplification you want, from minimal changes to elementary-school level explanations.

What file formats are supported?

You can upload or drag-and-drop PDF, Word documents (.docx), plain text files (.txt), and paste text directly. We also support image text extraction from PNG and JPG files.

Which AI models does Retardify use?

We use multiple state-of-the-art AI models, each optimized for different tasks:

  • Google Gemini (1 credit): Fast and cost-effective, great for general content
  • GPT-4o Mini (1 credit): Balanced speed and quality for everyday use
  • GPT-4o (3 credits): Premium power for complex or nuanced documents
  • Claude Sonnet (5 credits): Best for code explanation and technical analysis

You can select a specific model in the menu, or use "Auto" mode to let Retardify automatically choose the best model for your content. Auto mode uses cheaper models by default (1 credit) and only upgrades to Claude (5 credits) when it detects code.

Is my data secure and private?

Yes. All text processing is transient - we do not permanently store the content you submit for simplification. Text is processed in real-time and immediately discarded after delivery of results. Only your account information (email, credits, subscription status) is stored securely in our encrypted database.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Absolutely! You can cancel your subscription at any time with no penalties or fees. You'll keep your remaining credits until the end of your current billing period. After cancellation, you'll automatically return to the free tier with 10 credits per month (no rollover).

What's the difference between monthly and yearly plans?

Monthly Pro gives you 1,000 credits per month with rollover (max 3,000). Yearly Pro gives you 15,000 credits per year with rollover (max 18,000). The yearly plan ($100/year) saves you $20 compared to paying monthly ($120/year). Both plans have the same features - the only differences are credit amounts, rollover caps, and billing frequency.

Is there a limit to how long my documents can be?

File uploads are limited to 20MB. For very long documents, we recommend breaking them into logical sections and processing each separately for the best results. You can paste text of any length directly into the chat.

Can I save or download the simplified versions?

Yes! Each response has three buttons that appear when you hover over it: Copy to clipboard, Download as PDF, and Download as Word document. Your session history is also saved in the menu for easy reference.

About the Name "Retardify"

We understand the name may be surprising to some, so let us explain our choice clearly and respectfully.

"Retard" is a technical term used in engineering, mechanics, and many other professional fields. When a mechanic retards the timing on a vehicle, they dial it back - they slow it down, make it more measured. This is precisely what our application does with language: it slows it down, dials it back, and makes it more accessible.

The name is:

  • Technically accurate: It describes exactly what the app does
  • Short and memorable: Easy to remember and share
  • Not aimed at disparaging anyone: It's a mechanical/technical term in proper context

We respect that everyone has the freedom to form their own opinions. You can choose to use this app for all it was designed to do - making complex information accessible to everyone - or you can choose to be offended by the name. That's your choice to make.

Our mission is simple: democratize access to complex information. Whether it's understanding a legal contract, learning to code, or deciphering medical instructions, everyone deserves to understand the information that affects their lives.

How do I get help or support?

Check our Help page for detailed usage instructions and tips. For additional support, email us at caelionlabs@gmail.com. We typically respond within 24 hours.

Is Retardify suitable for professional use?

Yes! While Retardify is great for personal learning, many professionals use it to quickly understand technical documentation, review contracts, or explain complex concepts to clients. However, remember that Retardify simplifies content for understanding - it does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals for critical decisions.