AVID offers Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate with a variety of options. And, it can be quite confusing. So, let’s take a look at what is offered and what it all means for you.
If you are looking to purchase a copy of Pro Tools, you have a couple of options. Do you want a Subscription or a Perpetual License? What is the difference? We offer a Subscription with software updates and support for one year. After one year, you have a choice to either Renew the Subscription or not. If you choose not to Renew a Subscription, then you will no longer be able to launch and run Pro Tools. Is a Subscription good for you? It depends. If you always want to have the latest version and updates, then it might be a good choice for you. But remember, once you stop renewing the Subscription, it is no longer available to you. On the other hand, a Perpetual License is a permanent license that you always own. A Perpetual license also includes one year of updates and support. After one year of ownership, you then have a choice. You can elect to Renew your Perpetual License which will include another year of future updates and support or not to Renew. If you don’t Renew, your Pro Tools software will launch as normal but you will no longer receive any software updates or support. Now, this is where it gets a little tricky. Is it wise to keep renewing yearly for software updates and support? Perhaps.
Let’s take a look at the cost breakdown for a Subscription vs a Perpetual license with and without Renewing the software.
I’ll breakdown Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate for you.
Pro Tools
Purchase a Pro Tools Perpetual License for $599.00. After One year, you can Renew your software for another year with software updates and support for only $199.00. This way, as operating systems change and Pro Tools is updated, you will receive software updates throughout the year. Now, let’s say you decide to bail on the $199.00 Renewal, but a few months later or a year later you changed your mind and would now like to add another year of software updates and support. Well, since you decided not to Renew it after one year (and, you have a 30 day grace period after the one year anniversary), you now have to purchase an Upgrade Support Package which used to be called a Reinstatement. The Upgrade Support Package will now cost you $299.00.
Now, let’s compare the Perpetual License with a Subscription. A one year Subscription is $299.00. After one year, you will no longer be able to run Pro Tools unless you Renew your Subscription. A One year Renewal Subscription is $99.00. If you decide to let your Subscription lapse and then come back a few months later and decide to pay for a Subscription again, you will pay $299.00. So, again, it’s better to keep paying the yearly $99.00 Subscription Renewal.
This now leads to the question- Should I own a Pro Tools (Perpetual License) or just get a Subscription? That’s a question that you will have to answer for yourself.
A look in the future:
A Perpetual license with three additional years of Renewal would be a total cost of $1196.00
A Subscription with three additional years of Renewal would cost you $596.00. Yes, it’s cheaper than a Perpetual License, but in the end, you don’t own a copy of Pro Tools. That’s a decision that you would need to make for yourself.
Pro Tools Ultimate
Purchase a Pro Tools Ultimate Perpetual License for $2499.00. After One year, you can Renew your software for another year with software updates and support for only $399.00. That’s a pretty good deal. This way, as operating systems change and Pro Tools Ultimate is updated, you will receive software updates throughout the year. Now, let’s say you decide to bail on the $399.00 Renewal, but a few months later or a year later you changed your mind and would now like to add another year of software updates and support. Well, since you decided not to Renew it after one year (and, you have a 30 day grace period after the one year anniversary), you now have to purchase an Upgrade Support Package which used to be called a Reinstatement. The Upgrade Support Package will now cost you $999.00. Notice that if you pay $399.00 for a Renewal for three years in a row, that’s basically $1197.00. So, for the next three years, you will enjoy receiving software updates and support. But, if you pass on Renewing the software, then you won’t break even until after three years and you are way behind on software updates. As you can see, it’s probably in your best interest to pay the yearly Renewal fee. Another thing to note here, even if you do purchase an Upgrade Support Package at the $999.00 price, you would need to Renew it again after one year at the $399.00 Fee and thereafter or if you wait again, then you will be forced to pay $999.00.
Now, let’s compare the Perpetual License with a Subscription. A one year Subscription is $999.00. After one year, you will no longer be able to run Pro Tools unless you Renew your Subscription. A One year Renewal Subscription is $999.00.
This now leads to the question- Should I own a Pro Tools Ultimate (Perpetual License) or just get a Subscription? That’s a question that you will have to answer for yourself. As you can see, either way (Subscription or Perpetual), if you don’t renew yearly, you could end up paying more for software updates.
A look in the future:
A Perpetual license with three additional years of Renewal would be a total cost of $3696.00
A Subscription with three additional years of Renewal would cost you $3996.00.
NOTE: If you purchased a Pro Tools HDX or HD Native system, then the Pro Tools Ultimate Renewal/Upgrade options apply to you as noted above.
I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Spunky Brunone