SmartScription: a new purchase option

gary-rebholz wrote on 9/14/2023, 8:43 AM

Hi everyone. You might have noticed that this morning we've launched a new subscription option for all versions of VEGAS Pro. We call it SmartScription: It's a two-year subscription that enables users to keep a perpetual version of the software when the subscription contract ends.

Why have we done this? It's no secret that the industry is changing. Subscriptions are increasingly becoming important for software companies, and we're no different. The days of VEGAS "big bang" releases are gone and we now deliver value throughout the life cycle of each version. This enables us to bring you new features and improvements as soon as they're available. It also makes it easier to understand and plan future revenues, expenses, and so on. Subscriptions play an important role in helping us achieve this.

However, we fully understand why some users do not like subscriptions. So, when we introduced subscriptions several years ago, we maintained our perpetual offering so that you still have that choice. SmartScription is simply another option to solve one major issue with traditional subscriptions: the fact that you lose access to your software, and thus to any of your projects, as soon as your subscription ends.

Rest assured, however, that SmartScription does not replace any of the current options. You can still choose a traditional perpetual license, a one-month subscription, or an annual subscription. SmartScription simply gives you another option that enables you to benefit from all of the subscription-only features (like Text to Speech and so on) at a lower cost than a perpetual license and future upgrades and lets you keep a perpetual version when your contract ends. We hope this new option works for you. You can find more details about the SmartScription offer at https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/subscription/

As always, thanks for your constructive feedback and support!

Gary

Comments

fr0sty wrote on 9/14/2023, 2:07 PM

Absolutely KILLING IT! Sticking it to Adobe. Meanwhile they just jacked up their subscription pricing. I couldn't help but rub it in that their competition is running circles around them on Facebook.

Starting September 1, 2023, the price of specific Creative Cloud plans will increase in North America, Central America, South America, and Europe.

You guys then drop this bomb the SAME DAY... lol... I'm sure some suits over at Adobe HQ are sweating now. There's a lot of very unhappy people in their comments section.

janndk wrote on 9/14/2023, 2:56 PM

What about us who already have a 365-subscription?

Reyfox wrote on 9/15/2023, 12:47 PM

@janndk curious... what specifically are you asking about? I don't think your 365 will change. @gary-rebholz did mention you can still subscribe that way.

janndk wrote on 9/15/2023, 1:33 PM

@janndk curious... what specifically are you asking about? I don't think your 365 will change. @gary-rebholz did mention you can still subscribe that way.

If I stop my 365 subscription, can I also keep using VEGAS Pro after that (as this new "SmartScription" subscribers can)?

Reyfox wrote on 9/15/2023, 2:32 PM

You would have to subscribe using the SmartSubscription. 365 is different as is monthly and perpetual. It's another separate option.

janndk wrote on 9/15/2023, 2:48 PM

You would have to subscribe using the SmartSubscription. 365 is different as is monthly and perpetual. It's another separate option.

Benefits only for new customers. Who cares about old loyal customers - Vegas/Magix sure doesn't.

Reyfox wrote on 9/15/2023, 3:09 PM

Well, I can't answer for that. Just saying what is written above. Do you get a lower subscription price if you decide to renew? Right now, a one year 365 subscription is $299 for VP21, which is newly released. I don't know if the price will come down in the future (it has in the past), but if you sign up for 2 years at $599, it's about the same price as 365 for 2 years, but you get to keep say Vegas Pro 22. Seems fair to me.

bitman wrote on 9/16/2023, 7:55 AM

@janndk If you already have a 365 subscription, recent or not, it does not really matter if you would have preferred the "smart subscription". Just use and let your current 365 subscription expire normally in a few months (or a year, whatever) time and then get the smart subscription.

If you wait a bit, chances are there will be a sale, I got a one year 365 extension on the sale offer last December 2022, it extended a year after my old expired in august 2023.

The smart subscription price is just marginally cheaper for those who upgrade anyway each year. Committing yourself for 2 years has some disadvantages, as said, who knows you may miss out on special sale offers like Black Friday, there is also the risk Vegas goes bust - lets hope not!

That being said, the choice is yours, and I welcome more options.

Just one critical note: the smart subscription option should have come with the launch of Vegas 21 and not a few weeks later...

janndk wrote on 9/16/2023, 8:11 AM

My point is, that new customers apparently can keep using Vegas Pro after subscription ends, while old 365-customers have to buy a new perpetual license if subscription ends. Shame on Vegas/Magix!

VEGAS-Daniel wrote on 9/16/2023, 5:15 PM

Hey janndk, thanks for your feedback. Of course, we haven't forgotten you and other users who already have an ongoing subscription. At the moment we're working on a solution to how to handle this. As soon as we have one, we'll let you all know. So for the time being I kindly ask for a little patience.

Thanks and cheers!

frmax wrote on 9/17/2023, 2:34 PM

the question remains: is it possible to convert the currently purchased perpetual license VP 21 into a smartscription and simply pay the surcharge / difference for now 2 years, i.e. incl. VP 22 post in this term?
In principle, one could not choose this purchase option when buying the perpetual license or was also only pointed out...

vkmast wrote on 9/17/2023, 2:52 PM

@frmax you might try "Purchase consultation contact" by emailing infoservice@magix.net and see if they can help.

frmax wrote on 9/18/2023, 3:59 AM

That is correct, but would only apply to me individually. Therefore, I wanted to ask this question here representative of many others, for a general indication of what Magix intends in this matter. Individual email traffic is subject to the "secrecy of correspondence" in Germany and may not simply be made public.

sonicvision wrote on 9/18/2023, 11:16 PM

My point is, that new customers apparently can keep using Vegas Pro after subscription ends, while old 365-customers have to buy a new perpetual license if subscription ends. Shame on Vegas/Magix!

@janndk did you pay for a full year in advance? The smart sub has to be paid in full, in advance. It's a chunk of change to hand, especially as mentioned above that sales could come, Magix could go bust etc.

janndk wrote on 9/19/2023, 12:04 AM

My point is, that new customers apparently can keep using Vegas Pro after subscription ends, while old 365-customers have to buy a new perpetual license if subscription ends. Shame on Vegas/Magix!

@janndk did you pay for a full year in advance? The smart sub has to be paid in full, in advance. It's a chunk of change to hand, especially as mentioned above that sales could come, Magix could go bust etc.

I have paid for many years.

joe-f wrote on 9/20/2023, 9:15 AM

Seems the cross-platform pricing needs either expansion or at least more consideration. E.g. As a Vegas 20 Post user (and long time Vegas user back to the Sonic Foundry era) desiring to transition to the new "Smart Subscription" plan, surely some crossgrade path is in order? Clearly, the cost, $600US, for user incurring the expense of Pro 20 Post shouldn't be the same as a new, first-time user. The Steinberg / BorisFX models seem much more appropriate.

Reyfox wrote on 9/20/2023, 12:55 PM

@janndk I too have paid for many years for the perpetual from VP14 onward.

Hopefully, they will get things figured out soon. It would have been nice if this option were available at the release of VP21...

janndk wrote on 9/20/2023, 1:34 PM

@janndk I too have paid for many years for the perpetual from VP14 onward.

Hopefully, they will get things figured out soon. It would have been nice if this option were available at the release of VP21...

Can't remember for sure, but I think my first was Vegas Pro 17 (Vegas Movie Studio before that). 365-subscription since it started.

janndk wrote on 9/20/2023, 1:39 PM

@janndk I too have paid for many years for the perpetual from VP14 onward.

Hopefully, they will get things figured out soon. It would have been nice if this option were available at the release of VP21...

Can't remember for sure, but I think my first was Vegas Pro 17 (Vegas Movie Studio before that). 365-subscription since it started.

VEGAS Pro 16

joe-f wrote on 9/20/2023, 4:29 PM

Well since we're here - not to derail this because the point is compelling, there really should be crossgrade pricing - Vegas 4.0 Sonic Foundry, March 2003. $500 discounted from $600. :)

MikeS wrote on 9/24/2023, 2:46 AM

Any news on a crossgrade price yet?

Reyfox wrote on 9/24/2023, 9:15 AM

I think the whole Vegas world is waiting ....

gary-rebholz wrote on 9/28/2023, 4:03 PM

Hi everyone. We know you're waiting to know how to do this. As we investigate how to set up the technical backend to automate the process, if you're interested in switching right now from your perpetual version of VEGAS Pro 21 or from a normal 365 subscription, please send a request to Infoservice@magix.net. They'll explain your options and help you through the process.

Dave_Jones718 wrote on 10/13/2023, 11:50 AM

It would be great to see heavily discounted access to vegas hub content for long-term vegas users, say a year as a thank you. Then start up subscription pricing.