Capture One - Changes to perpetual license

I've been taking alternate major releases of Capture One Pro over the last few years and was waiting for a good upgrade offer to move from 21 to the current release 23. Can't say there is anything too exciting in it but the previous release 22 did have some functionality that I would like.


 Then the following announcement drops into my mailbox: 

"Over the past few years many of you have told us you want access to new tools and improvements sooner, rather than have them all in one ‘major’ version of Capture One Pro at the end of each year. That’s why we’ve been investing heavily in our technology to be able release features to you as soon as they are ready. Now we’re ready to fully embrace this approach.

From 2023 we will no longer be tied to an annual cycle for major releases. As a result, there will not be a Capture One 24. Instead, we will continuously release new tools and features on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Alongside this, we will also be making changes to our perpetual licenses from February 1, 2023. Here’s what’s changing:

New perpetual licenses will include updates with bug fixes until the next version, but new features released after purchase will not be included.

Upgrade pricing will no longer be available and will be replaced with a new loyalty scheme. More details will be announced on February 1, 2023."


So that is a spanner in the works!

  • First thought is that there is clearly a big move toward subscriptions, presumably to generate more revenue (possibly to invest back into a product that has some keen competition).
  • Without knowing the details of the new loyalty scheme it is hard to say if the perpetual license option will be viable (cost effective) going forward.
  • As it has been announced I would need to decide on an upgrade by January but won't know the loyalty scheme details until February.
  • This could be a chance to switch to something better. For example DxO PhotoLab 6 and this could pair up nicely with NIK Collection 5 (the two together about the same money as a COP license) with the rather excellent SilverEfex Pro.

    NB When I looked at DxO PhotoLab back in 2019 it wasn't an option for me because there was no support for Fuji X-trans but the Elite version now has support for Fujifilm X-Trans RAW files.

There is an FAQ article from Capture One here:
https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/7998068628637
Already seems like some back peddling so may be best to see what is announced over the next few weeks before making a decision but might be best to jump before being pushed.

 

[ update 18 Jan 2023 ]

There has been an announcement on the new loyalty programme:
https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/8825486412189

Based on these upgrade prices I can't see myself buying an update any time soon, happy to manage with my old version of COP for the time being while keeping an eye on other options. I've already purchased Affinity Photo 2 and so far that is proving very good.

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