Note: See the Common purchasing, upgrading and licensing questions FAQ for general licensing information.
What's an "upgrade subscription"?
Historically Opus has been sold under the "paid major upgrade" model. For example, if you bought Opus 9 in 2007 then when Opus 10 came out in 2011, you would need to pay (a discounted fee) to upgrade to the new major version. Normally if you had originally bought within a certain time window you'd get the upgrade for free but otherwise you'd have to pay.
This has been the most common model for commercial software ever since the dawn of the computer age, but it has a few disadvantages. The main ones are:
- It forces the developers to hold new features over for the next major version, rather than releasing them when they're ready.
- It means that once a few years have passed, prospective new users don't know when it's "safe" to buy in rather than waiting for the next major upgrade.
With Opus 13 we are moving to a model we call "upgrade subscription", where an annual fee is payable to keep getting updates and new features. Note that this doesn't equate to an annual major upgrade - new features will be released continuously, as and when they're ready. Only the subscription fee itself is annual.
One important point to note about this is that you don't need to keep paying to simply use the version you have. If you buy Opus 13 and then never renew your subscription you'll be able to keep using the version you have forever (subject to compatibility with new versions of Windows, of course).
If your subscription has expired you can log in to the licence manager to view your "entitlement version" (the latest version you're able to run). You can download older releases from the support page.
How does the upgrade subscription work?
Simply put, when you buy Opus 13 (or upgrade from an earlier version), you'll get at least one year of updates included for free. This will let you use any version of Opus released up to the end of your subscription period.
When your subscription expires it will need to be renewed to be able to install and use later releases. You'll be able to keep using the version you currently have forever, but you won't be able to install new versions until you renew your subscription.
What happens if my subscription expires?
As above, if your subscription expires then Opus will keep working but you won't be able to install new versions. You can renew your subscription at any time, including after it's expired.
- If you renew before expiry, the additional period is added to your current expiry date.
- If you renew after expiry, the additional period runs from the renewal date.
How much does renewal cost?
Your renewal price is shown on the Renew tab of our website after you enter your registration code (it depends on how many install licences you have).
If your subscription has expired, there's a short grace period (14 days) within which you can renew for the "base" renewal price.
After that, you'll need to pay for the time you missed (capped at a maximum of one year), plus a minimum of one year ahead.
Some examples for a one year renewal for a single install licence:
- Not expired: $25 AUD
- Expired less than 14 days: $25 AUD
- Expired 30 days: $27.05 AUD ($25 base price plus $2.05 for the missed 30 days)
- Expired 6 months: $37.50 AUD
- Expired 1 year or more: $50 AUD
Note that this pricing structure gives you the option to ignore the subscription system if you like, and still access periodic upgrades by paying $50 every few years - the same price as upgrades under the old system.
Reinstalling after subscription expires
If you need to reinstall Opus after your subscription expires, you may find you can't run the most recent version on the main GP Software website.
Instead, visit the Download Opus section on our support website to download older versions. If you enter your registration code in the field at the top-right of the page then it will show you the most recent version you're entitled to use.
Do I have to renew if I get a new computer?
No you don't. You can always reinstall the most recent version your previous subscription entitled you to, even you haven't renewed it since.
For example, say you bought Opus 13 on August 1, 2024. You'd get one year of upgrades included, so this would let you install any versions released up until August 1, 2025 (actually slightly longer, as there is a short grace period).
If you get a new computer in June 2026 and want to install Opus on it, you won't be able to install the current version without renewing your subscription. But you'll still be able to install the version that was current on August 1, 2025.
What happens when Opus 14 comes out? Do I have to pay again?
Under the new model version numbers are much less significant than they used to be. There are no "major upgrades" any more. All new features are released when they're ready, not held over for a future upgrade.
We may end up bumping the version number to 14 at some point in the future, or we may not. Either way, if you have an active subscription you'll be able to use whatever the current version is.
Can I renew for more than one year? What about a lifetime subscription?
Currently you can renew your subscription up to three years in advance. We may offer a lifetime option in the future but currently do not. Note that discounts are offered for renewing for more than a year ahead.
To renew your subscription, visit the Renew tab of the GP Software website.
What about corporate (GOLP) licences?
Bulk corporate licences have a similar concept (we call it a "maintenance plan" rather than "upgrade subscription", although the fundamentals are the same). Email sales@gpsoft.com.au for more information.