Have Capture One the Best Subscription Model?

[IanYorke]

C1 have just introduced their new Subscription & Perpetual licence models.

As I understand if you subscribe for 5 years you then get the option of a free perpetual licence and then the clock starts again. If you stop subscribing before the 5 years are up you get the option to purchase a perpetual licence for your current version at a discount to carry on using that version of C1.

This seems very fair and avoids one of the major drawbacks to subscription software in that you either lose all access to the software or, as with LR, the software is crippl'd, better than a chocolate teapot, but not by much

C1's new subscription model could well tempt many perpetual license users to move to subscription with these new terms. Interesting times

Ian

 

[araudan]

The ability to switch from subscription to perpetual made me consider going the subscription route. I realized I'm still learning to get the most out of C1 22. With the excpetion of v22 I upgraded every other year. I will continue that way since for me there is often little benefit of the latest features all the time. Also I'm not a constantly replacing my camera gear. I like what I've got.

 

[robgendreau]

C1 have just introduced their new Subscription & Perpetual licence models.

As I understand if you subscribe for 5 years you then get the option of a free perpetual licence and then the clock starts again. If you stop subscribing before the 5 years are up you get the option to purchase a perpetual licence for your current version at a discount to carry on using that version of C1.

This seems very fair and avoids one of the major drawbacks to subscription software in that you either lose all access to the software or, as with LR, the software is crippl'd, better than a chocolate teapot, but not by much

C1's new subscription model could well tempt many perpetual license users to move to subscription with these new terms. Interesting times

Ian

I'm not sure I understand. After subscribing for five years you've paid for a perpetual license, with all upgrades? or no upgrades? what clock starts again?

Also, when Lr Classic subscriptions run out you can continue to use the organizing modules; only the Develop module and Maps are disabled. You can even do basic editing in the Library module. Since their "chocolate teapot" organizing features eclipse anything C1 has, not bad if you want to do say your raw processing in an open source program but keep Lr for organizing.

But I confess, I guess I don't understand Phase One's thinking on this. Fine program, but still, seemed I needed an MBA to sort through loyalty programs, subscriptions, named programs (but different for Fuji), etc etc.

 

[Digital Nigel]

C1 have just introduced their new Subscription & Perpetual licence models.

As I understand if you subscribe for 5 years you then get the option of a free perpetual licence and then the clock starts again. If you stop subscribing before the 5 years are up you get the option to purchase a perpetual licence for your current version at a discount to carry on using that version of C1.

This seems very fair and avoids one of the major drawbacks to subscription software in that you either lose all access to the software or, as with LR, the software is crippl'd, better than a chocolate teapot, but not by much

C1's new subscription model could well tempt many perpetual license users to move to subscription with these new terms. Interesting times

Ian

I'm not sure I understand. After subscribing for five years you've paid for a perpetual license, with all upgrades? or no upgrades? what clock starts again?

Also, when Lr Classic subscriptions run out you can continue to use the organizing modules; only the Develop module and Maps are disabled. You can even do basic editing in the Library module. Since their "chocolate teapot" organizing features eclipse anything C1 has, not bad if you want to do say your raw processing in an open source program but keep Lr for organizing.

But I confess, I guess I don't understand Phase One's thinking on this.

What has Phase One got to do with any of this?

 

[Abbott Schindler]

robgendreau wrote:.

But I confess, I guess I don't understand Phase One's thinking on this.

What has Phase One got to do with any of this?

To be fair, I’m not sure that everyone is aware that Capture One and Phase One have been two [venture-owned] companies for a bit over a year (maybe 2). Before the break, Capture One was a Phase One product.

 

[Abbott Schindler]

I’ve read the new terms a couple of times. Missed the “subscribe for 5 years, get a perpetual license for no cost” part, though.

I really see few differences between the new and old programs other than perpetual licenses now missing out on possible mid-year feature introductions. Also, I don’t recall the “buy a perpetual license if you want to leave subscriptions” part being articulated.

The perpetual license upgrade prices may be a tad higher than before, but not significantly so unless I missed something.

There’s a reasonable cost-of-ownership table on their website.

Bottom line for me is no real change. I’ll continue with perpetual licenses and, given how nicely C1 22 satisfies my needs (and Affinity Photo picks up where C1 leaves off, if I need more), I’ll probably continue with my plan to switch from annual upgrades to every 2-3 years unless a macOS upgrade breaks the version I’m running (which is a very real possibility, given recent history). I’m certainly not the least bit tempted by the change to leave Capture One. Also, I want to see them make enough revenue to continue as a business. The last thing I want is to be forced to switch (like Apple made me do by discontinuing Aperture), and consequently lose my edits and have to learn another program from scratch.

 

[Tschens]

I’ve read the new terms a couple of times. Missed the “subscribe for 5 years, get a perpetual license for no cost” part, though…..

It’s not THAT difficult to find, just look at the table:

https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/8824180384285-The-Capture-One-Loyalty-Program

 

[Michael Antrum]

I’ve read the new terms a couple of times. Missed the “subscribe for 5 years, get a perpetual license for no cost” part, though.

I really see few differences between the new and old programs other than perpetual licenses now missing out on possible mid-year feature introductions. Also, I don’t recall the “buy a perpetual license if you want to leave subscriptions” part being articulated.

The perpetual license upgrade prices may be a tad higher than before, but not significantly so unless I missed something.

There’s a reasonable cost-of-ownership table on their website.

Bottom line for me is no real change. I’ll continue with perpetual licenses and, given how nicely C1 22 satisfies my needs (and Affinity Photo picks up where C1 leaves off, if I need more), I’ll probably continue with my plan to switch from annual upgrades to every 2-3 years unless a macOS upgrade breaks the version I’m running (which is a very real possibility, given recent history). I’m certainly not the least bit tempted by the change to leave Capture One. Also, I want to see them make enough revenue to continue as a business. The last thing I want is to be forced to switch (like Apple made me do by discontinuing Aperture), and consequently lose my edits and have to learn another program from scratch.

The thing is, do you trust them to continue to offer perpetual licences going forward ?

I'm afraid I'm rather convinced than within the next couple of years, perpetual licences will no longer be offered, or made so unattractive as to try and force everyone onto the subscription model.

 

[IanYorke]

C1 have just introduced their new Subscription & Perpetual licence models.

As I understand if you subscribe for 5 years you then get the option of a free perpetual licence and then the clock starts again. If you stop subscribing before the 5 years are up you get the option to purchase a perpetual licence for your current version at a discount to carry on using that version of C1.

This seems very fair and avoids one of the major drawbacks to subscription software in that you either lose all access to the software or, as with LR, the software is crippl'd, better than a chocolate teapot, but not by much

C1's new subscription model could well tempt many perpetual license users to move to subscription with these new terms. Interesting times

Ian

I'm not sure I understand. After subscribing for five years you've paid for a perpetual license, with all upgrades? or no upgrades? what clock starts again?

Also, when Lr Classic subscriptions run out you can continue to use the organizing modules; only the Develop module and Maps are disabled. You can even do basic editing in the Library module. Since their "chocolate teapot" organizing features eclipse anything C1 has, not bad if you want to do say your raw processing in an open source program but keep Lr for organizing.

But I confess, I guess I don't understand Phase One's thinking on this. Fine program, but still, seemed I needed an MBA to sort through loyalty programs, subscriptions, named programs (but different for Fuji), etc etc.

At least this part looks straightforward, you get a perpetual licence for the version you are currently at.

 

[IanYorke]

I’ve read the new terms a couple of times. Missed the “subscribe for 5 years, get a perpetual license for no cost” part, though.

I really see few differences between the new and old programs other than perpetual licenses now missing out on possible mid-year feature introductions. Also, I don’t recall the “buy a perpetual license if you want to leave subscriptions” part being articulated.

The perpetual license upgrade prices may be a tad higher than before, but not significantly so unless I missed something.

There’s a reasonable cost-of-ownership table on their website.

Bottom line for me is no real change. I’ll continue with perpetual licenses and, given how nicely C1 22 satisfies my needs (and Affinity Photo picks up where C1 leaves off, if I need more), I’ll probably continue with my plan to switch from annual upgrades to every 2-3 years unless a macOS upgrade breaks the version I’m running (which is a very real possibility, given recent history). I’m certainly not the least bit tempted by the change to leave Capture One. Also, I want to see them make enough revenue to continue as a business. The last thing I want is to be forced to switch (like Apple made me do by discontinuing Aperture), and consequently lose my edits and have to learn another program from scratch.

Yes, I think many perpetual licence owners will adopt a wait and see approach.

The new subscription option looks reasonable terms as you have an option for obtaining a perpetual version of the software, which I don't think other people offer.

Ian

 

[IanYorke]

I have just read this at Thomas Fitzgerald's blog:

Thoughts on Capture One’s Licensing Plans — Thomas Fitzgerald Photography

In this post, I express my frustration with Capture One (the company, not the software), regarding recently announced changes to their licensing model for perpetual licences that will take effect in 2023. I express disappointment with this change, as I feel that it makes perpetual licences unattract

blog.thomasfitzgeraldphotography.com

Clearly this move is designed to push people to subscription, which is a bit ironic considering Capture One for years capitalised off the anti-adobe subscription demographic. So, the simple solution then is to just switch to a subscription. But even that process isn’t straightforward.

If you go to switch to a subscription, you get, in very small writing, the following warning:

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

 

[Corius]

I have just read this at Thomas Fitzgerald's blog:

https://blog.thomasfitzgeraldphotography.com/blog/2023/1/thoughts-on-capture-ones-licensing-plans

Clearly this move is designed to push people to subscription, which is a bit ironic considering Capture One for years capitalised off the anti-adobe subscription demographic. So, the simple solution then is to just switch to a subscription. But even that process isn’t straightforward.

If you go to switch to a subscription, you get, in very small writing, the following warning:

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

The documents published yesterday, and their associated terms will come into effect on 14th Feb.

Did you read."Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key." on the recently published pages or on the normal sales website?

If the normal sale website then that is to be expected as they would not have updated the terms yet as the current ones remain unchanged until 14th Feb

If you read it on the recent info pages, then it is indeed confusing

 

[araudan]

I’ve read the new terms a couple of times. Missed the “subscribe for 5 years, get a perpetual license for no cost” part, though.

I really see few differences between the new and old programs other than perpetual licenses now missing out on possible mid-year feature introductions. Also, I don’t recall the “buy a perpetual license if you want to leave subscriptions” part being articulated.

The perpetual license upgrade prices may be a tad higher than before, but not significantly so unless I missed something.

There’s a reasonable cost-of-ownership table on their website.

Bottom line for me is no real change. I’ll continue with perpetual licenses and, given how nicely C1 22 satisfies my needs (and Affinity Photo picks up where C1 leaves off, if I need more), I’ll probably continue with my plan to switch from annual upgrades to every 2-3 years unless a macOS upgrade breaks the version I’m running (which is a very real possibility, given recent history). I’m certainly not the least bit tempted by the change to leave Capture One. Also, I want to see them make enough revenue to continue as a business. The last thing I want is to be forced to switch (like Apple made me do by discontinuing Aperture), and consequently lose my edits and have to learn another program from scratch.

The thing is, do you trust them to continue to offer perpetual licences going forward ?

I'm afraid I'm rather convinced than within the next couple of years, perpetual licences will no longer be offered, or made so unattractive as to try and force everyone onto the subscription model.

This is a possibility as we've seen with other companies and promises to continue perpetual licenses. In the meantime I can only look at what the current licensing plans are and decide based on that. If Capture One's business plans change so can mine.

 

[Abbott Schindler]

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

This has been the case for a very long time.

 

[IanYorke]

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

This has been the case for a very long time.

Thanks.

 

[Jestertheclown]

If you go to switch to a subscription, you get, in very small writing, the following warning:

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

What difference does that make?

You simply get a new one.

Or, if you really must keep your old copy of C1 as well as the new, subscription, one, just apply as a new customer.


"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

 

[IanYorke]

If you go to switch to a subscription, you get, in very small writing, the following warning:

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

What difference does that make?

You simply get a new one.

Or, if you really must keep your old copy of C1 as well as the new, subscription, one, just apply as a new customer.

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

Yes, reading it again it looks like you mustn't "switch" if you want to retain your perpetual licence, just start subscribing as well..

Ian

 

[Corius]

If you go to switch to a subscription, you get, in very small writing, the following warning:

Please note, switching to a subscription will deactivate your existing licence key.

Anyone else seen this from C1?

Ian

What difference does that make?

You simply get a new one.

Or, if you really must keep your old copy of C1 as well as the new, subscription, one, just apply as a new customer.

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

Yes, reading it again it looks like you mustn't "switch" if you want to retain your perpetual licence, just start subscribing as well..

Ian

The new terms will allow you to keep your perpetual licence if you transfer to subscription.

See https://support.captureone.com/hc/e...es-and-the-Loyalty-Program-How-it-Affects-You

 

[Digital Nigel]

robgendreau wrote:.

But I confess, I guess I don't understand Phase One's thinking on this.

What has Phase One got to do with any of this?

To be fair, I’m not sure that everyone is aware that Capture One and Phase One have been two [venture-owned] companies for a bit over a year (maybe 2). Before the break, Capture One was a Phase One product.

Yes, I know, but it had nothing to do with the current pricing policies.

 

[MattPointZero]

robgendreau wrote:.

But I confess, I guess I don't understand Phase One's thinking on this.

What has Phase One got to do with any of this?

To be fair, I’m not sure that everyone is aware that Capture One and Phase One have been two [venture-owned] companies for a bit over a year (maybe 2). Before the break, Capture One was a Phase One product.

Yes, I know, but it had nothing to do with the current pricing policies.

Is this not pointlessly pedantic? We all know what he meant…