Support and subscription.

[Eric Milberger]

Ok - been using a little over a year.  2 License

Perpetual licenses which are still perpetual to next year, I think but then being changed to something else so that I have been told.  Told several times by support.  I am all good until next year but not sure as I received a bill for tome thing that is not adding anything to what I am doing.  Forward has stalled for two years adding nothing so why the bill.

I tried to call tech support as directed and was informed "by a recording" that support cannot help and no longer takes messages to call you back.  So where is the support.

I have been told to many stories and misinformation and having to learn Revit to work with another firm.

I need staff to call back but they have no number to call for help.  What gives?

[Barry Kelly]

Even perpetual licenses have an annual fee if you want to keep up to date with the latest version of Archicad.

This is the last year for that though, as there will be no renewing of perpetual license from next year.

To upgrade then, you need to switch to the collaboration subscription, where you will pay for the new version, but never actually own the software.

Stop paying and you will be left with your last perpetual version only, you won't be able to use the latest version any more.

Barry.

[Eric Milberger]

Barry - thanks for the reply,

I spend 16,000 for two license - sols as perpetual with a update each year   And I need more explination as I get different responses from staff.

I understand an update fee but that update fee is more expensive than the subscription.  And part of that is I have been told 3 different things from support.

And I tried to reach support and they now SAY.  "We can no longer receive phone massages and will not return your call.  And apparently they are never in the office as I try and try only to get the same message.  So I must assume there is no longer any support.  My contract included support.  But there is none.  I am holding I get a call back but no one has heard the request.  At lease Bentley and Autodesk has a system for questions and a response back from staff.

[Barry Kelly]

I am not sure what to say.

Maybe you could just e-mail support@graphisoft.com 

I have no idea if you will get a reply there or not.

Barry.

[Eric Milberger]

I did get a quick back that said they would get back with me   but that has been 4-5 months

[irSander]

Hello, thanks for your post! I also recently discovered that the current licensing system in the Netherlands is "going to change" to a subscription.
I was shocked by the huge increase in extra costs, but it is not clear to me what the extra adds?! For now the conclusion is that it adds nothing extra to what I do or need. I will not switch voluntarily (not even with the fake discount) and will stick with the purchased (!) program and the licensing system to update it.

[Eric Milberger]

The prolem is we should still own the software even at that version as we own it.

Graphisoft is actually not honoring their commitment but are ignoring  what they sold as a lifetime license with updates to a full subscription, at full price .

  It will now be impossible to find others to work with here in the US.  As There is no longer active support here in the US and Revit is finally cheaper than Archicad.

[Eric Milberger]

I can't as they have closed down the ability to contact anyone.  They dont take calls and cannot even take a message.  Total Shut Down.

[Eric Milberger]

Not sure they will even allow that to happen.  I am looking at the same thing.  Staying with Archicad 28 as I will only be practicing for 10 more years.  

But I am not sure they will honor the lifetime use on 28.  My experience has been only two years and I am already Losing benefits that were promised.

[irSander]

Hi, the total shutdown sounds strange. Maybe it's damage control?! Here the service company is still doing their job and they are doing their best to deal with this.. We do have information that it is possible to keep the current license form until version 30. https://www.kubusinfo.nl/app/uploads/2025/06/S2S-schema-11-1.pdf
Hopefully they will come to their senses before then or with a cheaper/equal rate for what we have now (e.g. without that AI visualization).. We'll see.. Don't let them get you down 😉