New PT Studio License - Sub or Perpetual

[Chevron]

Seeing as there are still available PT Studio perpetual licenses and the recent change to perpetual status, if going to PT Studio with a fresh license would you go Subscription or Perpetual? Money aside?

I am guessing a subscription would be the smarter move considering that is where Avid is pushing folks as users, with associated rewards?

[Obsidian Dragon]

I would still go with Perpetual. If I decide to stop the annual support/upgrade and let it expire at some point, at least I can still use the frozen version. With a subscription, once I discontinue and it expires, I can't use the program at all.

Having said that, the subscription model does allow me to resubscribe at a later time with no penalty if I want to use Protools again (and get to update to the latest version). Historically, Avid has occasionally offered reinstatements for perpetual licenses to allow people with expired perpetual licenses to get back on the plan and update to the current version, but at a higher price (penalty). I guess it all comes down to your risk tolerance (or risk aversion depending on how you look at it).

[noiseboyuk]

Originally Posted by Obsidian Dragon

Having said that, the subscription model does allow me to resubscribe at a later time with no penalty if I want to use Protools again (and get to update to the latest version). Historically, Avid has occasionally offered reinstatements for perpetual licenses to allow people with expired perpetual licenses to get back on the plan and update to the current version, but at a higher price (penalty). I guess it all comes down to your risk tolerance (or risk aversion depending on how you look at it).

If you do the maths, it's actually pretty close. A reinstatement is only $50 more than an annual sub. And for every year you skip as a perpetual license holder, you still get a fully working pro tools.

Perpetual inc 1 year support - $599
Perpetual annual support - $199
Annual subscription - $299
Perpetual reinstatement - $349

[Obsidian Dragon]

One more factor to consider: If for some unfortunate reason, Avid goes out of business or discontinues Protools. Once the subscription license expires, you can't renew and you can no longer use Protools. On the perpetual license, it will also expire and you can't renew, but you can still use the current version of Protools indefinitely and finish projects in progress until you are able to find a suitable replacement. I know this scenario is unlikely, but it has happened with other popular DAWs in my lifetime to products like Opcode, Cakewalk, Voyetra, etc.

[Emi]

Originally Posted by Obsidian Dragon

One more factor to consider: If for some unfortunate reason, Avid goes out of business or discontinues Protools. Once the subscription license expires, you can't renew and you can no longer use Protools. On the perpetual license, it will also expire and you can't renew, but you can still use the current version of Protools indefinitely and finish projects in progress until you are able to find a suitable replacement. I know this scenario is unlikely, but it has happened with other popular DAWs in my lifetime to products like Opcode, Cakewalk, Voyetra, etc.

Very good point here. I really can´t find anything attractive for the customer with subscription.

[Chevron]

Originally Posted by Emi

Very good point here. I really can´t find anything attractive for the customer with subscription.

Unless there is more incentive to be a subscriber. 3rd party stuff etc

[abc1mce2]

Originally Posted by Chevron

Unless there is more incentive to be a subscriber. 3rd party stuff etc

Right now everything that is included in the PT Studio Subscription is included with the PT Studio Perpetual License. As long as your Software Updates + Support Plan for the PT Studio Perpetual License remains active, software-wise there is no difference between the two that I can think of aside from price. Though having a Perpetual License is priceless in my eyes.


Subscription $299 a year
Perpetual License $599 + 1 year of Software Updates + Support Plan.
Each additional year of Software Updates + Support Plan is $199 year for Perpetual License holders if you don't let the plan lapse.
Get Current Updates + Support Plan is $349 if your plan lapse for the 1st year and thereafter it returns to $199 a year if it doesn't lapse again.

[john1192]

Originally Posted by abc1mce2

Right now everything that is included in the PT Studio Subscription is included with the PT Studio Perpetual License. As long as your Software Updates + Support Plan for the PT Studio Perpetual License remains active, software-wise there is no difference between the two that I can think of aside from price. Though having a Perpetual License is priceless in my eyes.


Subscription $299 a year
Perpetual License $599 + 1 year of Software Updates + Support Plan.
Each additional year of Software Updates + Support Plan is $199 year for Perpetual License holders if you don't let the plan lapse.
Get Current Updates + Support Plan is $349 if your plan lapse for the 1st year and thereafter it returns to $199 a year if it doesn't lapse again.

I sort of asked this in the other perpetual thread ... are Reinstatement Licenses ONLY from 3rd Party Dealers ?? or is AVID selling them Direct ?? thank you John

[abc1mce2]

Originally Posted by john1192

I sort of asked this in the other perpetual thread ... are Reinstatement Licenses ONLY from 3rd Party Dealers ?? or is AVID selling them Direct ?? thank you John

From what I understand the option to purchase a Get Current Software Updates + Support Plan will only be available in your Avid Master Account's PT Software section once your current PT Perpetual License plan has lapsed and exceeded the 30 Day grace period.
You can buy it from a retailer at any time and use it in the future. Just hold on to the code and don't activate it until you actually need it.

PT|Carbon Perpetual Parachute License renewal/get current price is the same at $249 a year.