License model no way !!!

[Chapelle]

And we think we can proof that this is the better model, else we would not have done the change.

The new features and bugfixes from 1.0 to 2.0 have a cost of €159 and have taken three years.
Now, I get new features and bugfixes for €159 for 12 months.

Does that mean that you will implement as many features and fix as many bugs every 12 months that have previously taken three years?

If yes -> How are you gonna do that?
If not -> How can you say it is a better model (for the users, that is, not your bank account)?

[PHY6]

also please explain why it says that email support is included with 12 month upgrade plan. Dont people who arent subscribing get email support?

I made a post about this more indepth.
viewtopic.php?f=259&t=477218

You have to post something offensive to get their attention.

[Hanz Meyzer]

I have a question, maybe silly. But I don't fully understand the rules for the "grace period":

I still have 8-track. If I now will update to full version, does the moment of the upgrade count for the free 2.0 update? Or will I then have to pay the update price again?

Thanks.

[WXLF]

I have a question, maybe silly. But I don't fully understand the rules for the "grace period":

I still have 8-track. If I now will update to full version, does the moment of the upgrade count for the free 2.0 update? Or will I then have to pay the update price again?

Thanks.

https://www.bitwig.com/en/shop/webshop.html

You would not have to pay again. Check that link.

"Welcome to our webshop. Now is a great time to purchase Bitwig Studio 1!
Get the upgrade to Bitwig Studio 2 for free when it's released."

And the 8 track version is listed below it.

[greenfly]

From other forum:

"Pretty sure the bitwig dev's are in serious financial troubles. This annual upgrade price is a slap in the face of the early adopters, which is the reason why bitwig survived in the first place." (c)

Should this be the case then pursuing an aggressive marketing strategy is good business sense. 

[forestrip]

if the company Bitwig does not listen to the users and does not change the licensing policy - the company is waiting for a grand luck as company Steinberg ,where each user pays per year to be a beta tester

Only recently, I was waiting for a new version of Bitwig and would like to purchase a license
but now I have to look for another DAW

ooohhhhhhh marketing and subscription

[Coockie1176ln]

also please explain why it says that email support is included with 12 month upgrade plan. Dont people who arent subscribing get email support?

I made a post about this more indepth.
viewtopic.php?f=259&t=477218

You have to post something offensive to get their attention.

probably but i feel i dont want to lower myself to their level.

[Kubase]

The problem is that it feels unfair. The consumer has to pay every year to stay current, rather than the devs saying, "ok we've been bug fixing and developing for x years, we've now got a new major version with [insert features] and we think it's worth x". That feels fair, you look at the new features and make your decision. With this model, you're paying upfront, and you don't for definite know what you're going to get. You might get nothing, the devs might sit on their hands for a year but they've already got your money. Now, I don't think this would happen, but it's still an essentially unfair scenario in the supplier/customer relationship, which is what annoys people. In addition, the amount being asked is a joke.

I'd prefer a straight up sub than this. I do it with Slate, and can cancel whenever i like which means I'm not gambling on some unknown future.

Pretty cheesed off to be honest, I've gone from being a huge Bitwig (the company) fan to severely disliking them, because I feel like they have no respect for me as a customer.

I should point out I can easily afford the 159 eur per year, that isn't the issue for me at all.

[Hanz Meyzer]

https://www.bitwig.com/en/shop/webshop.html

You would not have to pay again. Check that link.

"Welcome to our webshop. Now is a great time to purchase Bitwig Studio 1!
Get the upgrade to Bitwig Studio 2 for free when it's released."

And the 8 track version is listed below it.

Thanks! Still I am not 100% convinced. Would like to have a confirmation from the support. Sadly no answer. Hm. Maybe I just need to be patient.

[larsomat]

With this model, you're paying upfront, and you don't for definite know what you're going to get.

Depends on how you use this model. You could pay now and get free upgrades for the next 12 months. After that you could decide not to pay the next time until you feel it'll be worth it again...

So you don't have to pay 160 Euro every year. You could pay it every 1,5 years or every 2 years. It's up to you.

The more I think about this model, the more I like it.

[jaesm]

Cubase x.0 update $99.00.
X.5 update $49.00.
These happen each December.

**Annual average cost for Cubase: $74.00**

Annual for Bitwig: $169

You aren't that special Bitwig. Not going to happen for me.

[thecrumb]

So you don't have to pay 160 Euro every year. You could pay it every 1,5 years or every 2 years. It's up to you.

But that doesn't add up does it?

(I'm rounding costs/versions to make the math simple)

User A pays $100 for 5 years - assuming they do a major release each year - User A spends $500 to get to v5

User B skips 4 years and now only has to pay $100 to get v5?

The license FAQ is a bit hazy about this...

[viceverser]

I know some people might think that €159 is a measly amount of money, but it really isn't, for many people! As a one-off payment for a complete version, that can be understood, but in 12 months we may only be on Bitwig 2.1 or 2.2...

But they would lose sales then. By chosing this licensing strategy, Bitwig really put the pressure on themselves to release updates that make it worthwile for people to pay €159 each year. Because there's always the temptation of switching to another DAW, if it would offer comparable or better features, possibly for a better price. So it's not all negative, i.m.o.

For me the price to upgrade to 2.0 is worth it, given its features. Let's see how it gets developed further.

No... They could release nothing new but when MacOS or windows updates and breaks compatibility, we all gotta pay again to keep our software working... All they've done is limited the time frame they'll allow you to safely use their product... By the life cycle of v1, they've limited it to a third of their natural cycle... You want the full 3 years??? Be prepared to pay €477.

[larsomat]

So you don't have to pay 160 Euro every year. You could pay it every 1,5 years or every 2 years. It's up to you.

But that doesn't add up does it?

(I'm rounding costs/versions to make the math simple)

User A pays $100 for 5 years - assuming they do a major release each year - User A spends $500 to get to v5

User B skips 4 years and now only has to pay $100 to get v5?

The license FAQ is a bit hazy about this...

That's how I understand it...

Does Bitwig Studio now come at an annual cost of the upgrade price?
No, you can wait to renew your license, until you discover a new feature you like in the latest version of Bitwig Studio - and then get back on board again.

Source: https://www.bitwig.com/en/17/new-license-model.html

[flusenbrot]

This license model is a punch in the face for all loyal users and early adopters. 160€/year, for what?

It's your job to serve a software without bugs (impossible, but you get the idea). If a manufacturer of physical products releases a product with bugs, they have to fix it for free. So, you make it my problem that your software might be unstable at some points. Thats just unfair.

Yet, you didn't even bring promised features. What will you do with my money in 12 months then?

I think loyalty ends here, Bitwig. Find a better license model.