Friday’s post has stirred up some strong feelings. Rather than trying to answer the comments directly and risk repeating myself, I thought I would share a quick update. There are a few more things that I want to add to my previous post.
First, one reason why I felt a little concerned was that I purchased a few of the Topaz products only a few months ago. I was worried that I would be asked for an additional payment almost immediately if I wanted to upgrade. This together with the switch to the annual license fee was making me uncomfortable.
Second, the cost for one annual license is $49 but what’s the cost for all my products? It turns out that you can buy an annual license covering all products for $99. This still isn’t cheap but it’s a little less worrying. Importantly though, you can continue to use your software even though the license has expired. It just means you won’t receive SOME of the future releases. You continue to receive maintenance fixes even if your license has expired. It’s only the new features you don’t receive. I found a useful Pricing page on the Topaz site explaining this on the Topaz site.
Based on this information and some further thinking, I decided to log into my account to check the price. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Topaz quote personalised upgrade offers in your account information. My offer was a free annual license for all products because on my recent product purchases.
The outcome:
I’m satisfied and think this is fair. I have 12-months’ worth of upgrades on all products (I have them all). I can decide in 12-months’ time whether it’s worth buying another license or waiting. It also allows Topaz to move to a different business model which is more sustainable than offering lifetime upgrades.
We need innovative software companies to keep the big boys in check and provide competition.
The Lightweight Photographer 
Hi Robin, as I’m considering buying DeNoise AI I read the reaction to your post with interest. However after checking I also feel that Topaz’s new model is reasonable. I can buy a new the latest version at what appears to be a reasonable cost and keep it for as long as it’s compatible with my operating system or I can buy upgrades when I think they are needed. Of course I’d prefer if the upgrade cost was cheaper but at least that’s my choice. It’s in line with Nik (where I’m happy sticking with v2) & certainly better than Adobe’s model that I reluctantly support. Will I buy one or two of the Topaz Apps, probably. Thanks for starting a useful & interesting debate.
I just ordered my bundle update and I used the discount PLUGSNPIXELS from plugsandpixels.com and got an additional 15% off which amounted to an addition $8.60 off the bundle price. My bundle was all the AI software except JPEG to RAW since I didn’t have a need for that one.
Please cancel my last comment. I made a mistake and ordered JPEG to RAW so I must have clicked the wrong button. Since the cost of the package was much higher, I have elected to ask for a refund and wait for a sale price.
Hi Robin
You are right, of course: After my own research I found out the same like you. Nevertheless, I still find the way Topaz communicates unsatisfactory. The customer has to find out himself (and it is not always easy), sometimes even after the fact.
Last but not least, a similar mishap like JimH happened to me too and I ended partly with software I do not need too. It was not that much and I just had no appetite to start a discussion with them. It is strange, that company which prides itself with AI is not willing or able to design its site and communicate in such a way, that customers are not in danger to spend more than they plan to. As Murphy postulated, those mishaps seem not to happen the other way round (Topaz gives me more than I am buying).
😉😈
Your experience is disappointing as I think Topaz is a great software developer and company.
Yes like you I got a personalised annual license covering all my Topaz products …Denoise Ai ( superb) Gigapixel Ai , Sharpen Ai mine was £40 for the lot .