Avid is one of the latest software vendors to move to a subscription software model with Media Composer available for a $49.99/mo subscription price. So far, however, Avid is taking a gentler approach to the subscription model by continuing to offer a purchase option to Media Composer in addition to the subscription option.
For those unfamiliar with Avid Media Composer, it is the industry standard non-linear editing software for Hollywood and high-end commercial productions. While Adobe and others may be making in-roads into those markets, Avid remains the standard for the time being.
Buying the Media Composer perpetual license costs $1299. Then, it’s yours forever to use.
The Avid Media Composer subscription runs $599 per year and includes addition software (including third-party plugins) that you don’t get when you purchase Media Composer.
Current Media Composer owners can lock in their perpetual license for $299 and get access to every software update plus standard Avid support for the next year. If perpetual license holders cancel their subscription, they retain their perpetual license along with any upgrades received while under the subscription contract.
You can find more details here on Avid’s website.