After 14th of February 2023, new perpetual license purchases do not include any feature updates (16.x)
This means that any updates containing new features and functionality will not be included in your license purchase. However, major bug fixes and optimizations will be included (16.x.x) until a new paid version is released (16.x).
As a subscription always provides you with access to the latest version, subscribers are not affected by these changes.
How does it affect you?
Please select from the following:
- I have a subscription to Capture One Pro
- I have a license for Capture One Pro 23 purchased before February 14, 2023
- I have a license for Capture One Pro 23 purchased after February 14, 2023
- I have a license for Capture One Pro 22 or an older version
- I have a multi-user license
- I have an enterprise license
- Frequently Asked Questions
"I have a subscription to Capture One Pro"
The changes outlined here have no impact on Capture One subscriptions.
Subscribers will continue to receive all updates including new features, improvements, and new camera & lens support for as long as their subscriptions are maintained.
If you are unsure on the type of license that you have, check the 'Plans & services management' section of your Capture One profile.
"I have a license for Capture One Pro 23 purchased before February 14th, 2023"
You receive free updates until September 30th, 2023.
If you wish to get a new version of Capture One Pro after September 30th, 2023, you need to buy a new license. Find out what discount you can receive in compliance with our Loyalty Program.
"I have a license for Capture One Pro 23 purchased after February 14, 2023"
You receive major bug fixes (16.x.x) up until a new paid version (16.x) is released. The service updates (16.xx) do not include feature updates.
If you wish to get a new version of Capture One Pro, you need to buy a new license (16.x) – which will contain new features and functionality. Find out what discount you can receive in compliance with our Loyalty Program.
"I have a license for Capture One Pro 22 or an older version"
Your license is perpetual and yours to keep, for as long as you can meet the minimum system requirements and run it on a compatible OS version. To check these details, please refer to our
Capture One system requirements and OS support article.
"I have a multi-user license"
Unless specified otherwise in the terms of your agreement, you will receive free feature updates (16.x) for 12 months when you purchase or upgrade a multi-user license
"I have an enterprise license"
Please check the terms of your agreement with Capture One.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are you getting rid of the perpetual license option?
A: No. The changes we are making allow us to shift to the latest software development practices without removing perpetual licenses altogether. While over half of our users are on a subscription and close to 80% of new users choose a subscription, we still understand that perpetual licenses are important for many of you. That’s why we’re committed to keeping the option open.
Q: I have a license for Capture One Pro 23 I purchased before February 14, 2023 and I will get free feature updates until September 30, 2023. After that date, what happens if I want to get the latest version of Capture One Pro?
A: You will need to buy a new copy of Capture One Pro to be covered under our new license model from October 1st 2023 onwards.
Q: I have a license for Capture One 22 or older. What are my options?
A: If you are happy on your current version of Capture One Pro, great! If you want the latest version of Capture One Pro, you will need to purchase a new software license.
Alternatively, if you’d like to receive all our updates as we release them, you may wish to try out one of our subscription plans.
Q: The current version used to be a year, but how long does a current version last now?
A: We are moving to a ‘release when ready’ model, which allows us to deliver new features and improvements as soon as they are ready. As such, the length of a version will vary based on the time it takes us to develop each feature.
Q: Will there be any change to iPad & Live Support?
A: No, we will continue to support the current (dot) version, plus the previous (dot) version.
For example:
- Current version = 16.0
- iPad & Live support = 16.0, 15.4
Q: Will the number of seats/activations change?
A: No. We are not making any changes to the number of activations you can make per license.
Capture One Pro (perpetual and subscription, and trial) allows up to 3 activations
Q: Why are you removing licenses?
A: We are not removing licenses.
We offer a perpetual license which contains exactly what is stated in the release notes at the time of purchase, and we will continue to do so. This license is yours to own and keep.
The change being implemented from February 14, 2023, will affect new customers and license holders of Capture One 22 and older who wish to purchase a license for the latest version.
These license holders and new customers will have the opportunity to stay on the license they have purchased for as long as they like at no additional cost.
Q: Will I need to pay and upgrade multiple times a year?
A: It is always your decision when and how often to get the latest version of Capture One Pro.
If you always want to have the newest features as soon as they are released, a subscription plan is really the best option.
If you want to make sure that you get the latest version of Capture One Pro each year (as it works under the current model) and don’t need new features as soon as they are released, we want to make sure your cost of ownership does not go up.
Comments
1064 comments
Simply summarized:
Either you go subscription, or if you want to have new features that add maybe 5/10/15% to the software you pay another full price.
Whats makes it worse in my opinion is, that you do not specify anything about your so called "Loyalty Scheme" within the period where people can decide, wether they want to have the last discounted update.
This is not like you said "listen to the customers"!
C1 is no doubt a good raw converter but also lacks extremely in the area of test management/bugfixing, has less features than the competition and costs more (already without the changes you planned). The only reason I use C1 is, because it is fast and very efficent to use when editing photos and the results are usually good. It makes me lookaway from all the not fixed bugs, not market ready features (HDR, Panorama) and the high price, but as it stands, I am not sure I will update my version anytime soon (already skipped 23 because it did not anything of value to me).
It is unbelievable...
Time to say goodbye!
I'm sure it's only a coincidence (😉) but "quell suprise" I have just received an email from DXO informing me of a special 30% off deal if you buy any 2 of their software. This is only a few days after the expiry of their Black Friday deals so it's a bit unusual.
The headline on their site shop is ..... "Choose the best photo editing software that fits you! New versions. Lifetime license. No subscription."
Do you think this is anything to do with the current furore about the Capture One changes to their licensing ?????
They have been quick off the mark
This post is directed towards the C1 marketing/management team - there's a lot of "heat" /backlash towards the new pricing/licensing you've just announced. I've already commented/responded to some of this on the FB forum, but I will offer some suggestions here. First, your pricing/etc. incentivizes new users to sign up, but does little to reward loyal/existing subscribers - and your pricing scheme comes across as penalizing perpetual license users (eg, limited updates) vs. rewarding loyalty. Here's some things to consider: 1) instead of "nickel and diming" (eg, trying to squeeze every last dollar out of users), why not make the subscription more valuable by including things such as Live, the Ipad app, and additional style packs to the subscription model (and please don't have multiple tiers of subscriptions - just one that includes the above). In that way you're INCENTIVIZING people to subscribe. You may also want to include a higher level of tech support for subscribers (eg, 24/7, at least virtually) vs. those on a perpetual license. Adobe doesn't charge more for their Ipad app - it's included in the subscription, as is live tech support. Make it a no brainer to subscribe by adding value vs. the approach you've announced!
Great! 23 is the worst update ever.I can't image how bad 24 will be.You guys are real genius.
I enjoy C1; however, your marketing team should step down as well as the person who made such a moronic decision and will cost the company more money by the max exodus of people switching back to Adobe and pirating your software. Who thought it was a good idea to pull the rug for Licence users? As you can see, 99% of the people are extremely upset. Look at your thread on DPReview and see what all the comments are saying about this horrible business decision. Plus, understanding many of what people don't understand, miss understand, or take out of context, and if you backtrack, correct or double down will be too late. Again fire your PR department and the person who made such a terrible decision.
Dear Capture one Team,
Did you know that :
- We moved from Lightroom to capture one because of perpetual licenses.
- Majority of photographers have photoshop, and by ricochet they also have Lightroom.
- We can move back.
- The tethering function is used by a minority.
- You lack AI tools.
- Many app exists to work with raw? (Exposure, Lightroom, affinity photo, dxo…).
- Your pricing model is frustrating. We bought C1 23 in pre sales, then a month later, you offer the same product at lower price at Black Friday. At that moment, I said : I will never do that again". But C1 did it on purpose, because they are aware that in Winter the perpetual licenses will go away 👏
Final Thoughts :
Please stop making your product to a specific niche : Studio work (fashion, portrait, product, food...), Even your tools are supporting that niche, like "One Live". Your product page and example are showing only fashion shooting.
Ask yourself the right questions :
- How many of my users will go back to lightroom?
- Is my product better than Adobe offering?
- Am I evolving my product in the right direction?
- Am I listening to my customers?
- Do I have the resources to play with big compagnies with next AI evolution?
Note 1 : This is the same message as Adobe back in days : " we will keep both license model", and they really released Lightroom 6, but after that nothing happen. As a reaction we moved to capture one.
Note 2 : If I am Adobe, I will lower the price of Lightroom for 2023.
You just lost a customer... bye bye!
@Rachik Bouanani - Note 2: Adobes subscription price is low. On Black Friday my friend paid 80 € incl. 19% taxes per year für LR Classic, LR, PS, Bridge, LR mobile.
Since transitioning to C1 in the mid 90's, I've used your software professionally on Commercial shoots and have had a great experience. Unfortunately, due to this policy change I believe that v23 will be the end of our relationship and I will either try to use the Lightroom included in my Adobe subscription at $9.99 a month or someone will fill the upcoming vacuum from dissatisfied C1 users. We had a good run but all good things must come to an end, I trust this is the result of the new ownership group and their desire to generate a higher yield on their investment.
I agree. I'd be willing to pay for a subscription if there was any advantage to it, such as proper support / support within a reasonable time frame.
I have participated in the beta testing program the last few years, (I did abide by the NDA never disclosing release info). I have been a long time license owner starting with Version 8 but i see that my loyalty is no longer going to be rewarded. Version 23 did not offer a value for the cost even at the discounted price so I ask, will I still be considered a loyal capture one customer if I do not upgrade to V23? What are the loyalty rewards for long term license holders? What is the 'loyalty scheme'? By the way, scheme can be interpreted as a ruse, a shenanigan, flimflam, ploy, trick, sleight of hand and a number of unfavorable synonyms.
I still run v14.2 on one laptop, v15.2 on the Mac desktop, as the first still has the output tool tab (best in the business for dynamic output), and 15.2 sill has the meaningful and more compact toottab icons. Since it appears that C1 is moving to a subscription only model I will be moving to other software editing tools. Adobe at $9.99/month USD is more attractive than the inflated price of C1 anmd the tablet apps are included with the Adobe plan, DxO offers permanent licenses, same with On1 Photo Raw and Affinity Photo 2(nice upgrade for Serif recently)
"Upgrade pricing will no longer be available after 31st of January and will be replaced with a new loyalty scheme. More details will be announced on February 1, 2023."
One might get the impression from your message that you believe that your customers are idiots.
As pointed out by others, the perpetual license was one of the USPs that made me choose C1. If I am forced to choose between a subscription for C1 and a subscription for Adobe software, Adobe will win on all counts.
Hi everyone,
The FAQ has been updated with some of the things we've seen and spoken to you about in the forum and across social media.
I'll keep this up to date as and when more information becomes available, or if there is anything else that remains unclear.
Thanks for keeping it civil and believe me when I say we are listening.
All the best,
Jack
This sounds like users will now have to pay the full price for a license every time they upgrade rather than a reduced upgrade price. Is that correctly understood?
(Link to comment on Twitter.)
Jack Williams, the reality is:
if you had listend to your customers, this would have not happend.
So: If you say, you are listening, why should we believe you, if it did not happen in the past years (critical bugs since years..., bad support...)
Maybe you listend to the wrong persons?
How can I decide whether to upgrade now or switch to a subscription and loyalty scheme if you won’t tell me about that loyalty scheme until the day after upgrading is no longer possible? In choosing that date to clarify the loyalty scheme you appear to be cynically manipulating your customers.
May be he is listening - but the point is not listening, the point is to understand how to deal with customers !!!!
What you have obviously not understood is that C1 has in a catastrophic way lost any trust - be it by bad communication, intended or just idiotic on a bad day.
Please - we might miss a without any troubles good programme, but you have lost much more - trust, dignity and customers. Consequently we will for sure find an other programme which will satisfy us, we will learn a different workflow - you might lose your job.
Honestly i can not see any way for C1 to regain trust after this desaster.
If you just try to understand customers, you should know that fu**ed customers are by far more critical regarding the pricing schemes and promises of companies. Wether you like it or not - that's a fact.
Why the hell should we pay for a completely new license every 1 or 2 years, which contains more or less the same piece of software just slightly modified. And a subscription is definitely no option.
What, exactly, prevented Capture One from delivering new features and improvements when they were ready prior to the introduction of this new 'release when ready' model?
(Twitter)
Well, it is hard to believe ...https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/7998068628637/comments/8133075805981 you may be listening now. You as a company apparently have not been listening up to now. - Look at the negative feedback you are getting on this forum. I'm guessing that 99,9% are not in favour of this move. - This an exemplary case of NOT listening to your customers.
Second question: When you say, perpetual licenses will stay: For how long? Adobe said the same... We need a company we can trust. How can we trust you?
Trust must be earned.
Several things in the last years showed us, we can not trust you. Read the comments! If you really listening, why did you not change the problems/your behaviour of the last years?
Dopo 15 anni di regolare pagamento alle licenze e agli aggiornamenti, ricevo questo premio ? Ho sempre aggiornato per sopportare la vostra azienda anse se erano troppo frequenti gli aggiornamenti..... Complimenti a chi ha fatto questa mossa di marketing
I am really angry and disappointed. I find the way they are pushing us towards the subscription plan unfair. Perhaps it is time to switch to another software
Hello,
just a shame. I had left adobe because of their dishonest system....
Honestly even if I have to pay in subscription mode I prefer to go back to Adobe against my heart
at least I would have lr and ps
Just disgusted
I think you are making a mistake
Waiting for an answer I really feel like I'm being priced for a cash cow.....
nice day
First of all C1 is still a wonderful RAW converter.
I hope C1 will be a reliable partner for the future, for subscribers and byers. In the past years C1 was (and is) changing its licence politicly quite often and by this the feeling of uncertainty rises to much in my eyes.
If the price point of features will getting more and more questionable this might not be a good way. Some new versions were more a leisure update then a real new version. The path from 16.1 to 16.2 should be something like the step from C1 22 to C1 23 to strengthen the market share.
@Jack Williams from CaptureOne: do you think we customer are stupid?
Of course I have screenshots of the old FAQs and will not hesitate to use them in a coming claim about refunds!
The first step will be to inform Paypal and request for buyer protection.
@CaptureOne, you have lost my respect and trust for ever.
Just want to add to the numbers here. I bought a perpetual licence for C1 Pro V22 in April this year when you discontinued the Fujifilm-only licence. V23 had nothing to compel me to buy a new version so soon. Now you'll offer no discount for future versions if/when I do want to upgrade in the future, and try to pressure me into buying something I don't need with a vague 'promise' of some undefined loyalty scheme which will undoubtably be much worse (or you would be shouting it from the rooftops).
No thank you. Trust squandered, customer lost.
@Jack Williams from CaptureOne: a question regarding answers in FAQ
Q: I have a license for Capture One 23 I purchased before February 1st, 2023 and I will get free feature updates until September 30, 2023. After that date, what happens if I want to get the latest version of Capture One Pro?
A: You will need to buy a new copy of Capture One Pro to be covered under our new license model from October 1st 2023 onwards.
Q: Will I need to pay and upgrade multiple times a year?
A: .....we want to make sure your cost of ownership does not go up.
This two sentences contradicts each other, or is C1 planing to lower full perpetual license costs to upgrade costs?
It would be fair to show us the pricing scheme/loyalty program BEFORE 1. February 2023, or at least release roadmap of new features for 2023, so we all who is on version 22 and older can decide if it's worth to upgrade to v23 (v23 owners are screwed already). Otherwise it doe's not make sense, because according to your FAQ, we will be forced to buy new copy for full price after 1. October 2023 anyway! (as will be the v23 owners)
This is quite upsetting to me. These changes are very difficult to swallow as a casual amateur photographer. I currently own C1 21 and was considering the upgrade to 23...now I am glad I did not. I originally changed to C1 when Adobe moved to the subscription model for Lightroom. It seems that now I will need to upgrade yearly (or maybe more often - not clear in the email) with costs that just don't make sense for me.
I may continue to use my C1 21 for the moment however I will not be upgrading or changing to the subscription model as the costs are too high for me.
You have lost a customer and I will be looking at the various other options out there such as DXo (even Adobe LR + PS subscription is much cheaper as well).
@... Check out Affinity Photo, there is indeed a perpetual license and a future upgrade included (for several years). Maybe not as perfect software as C1, but high quality and much, much cheaper. And currently there is still a 40% discount on the purchase. Affinity – Professional Creative Software (serif.com)
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