Autodesk sent another round of renewal notices this week. More increases. Fewer discounts. And another reminder that network or multi user licensing is almost gone. None of this is new, but the pattern is getting harder to ignore.
“We’re committed to helping you plan ahead.
On 7 January 2026, Autodesk will update the pricing of select subscriptions. These changes are part of our ongoing effort to deliver consistent value across regions and reinvest in the tools and technologies that help you design and make a better world.
Here’s what’s changing and how you can stay ahead:
What’s changing
Multi-user subscriptions will be adjusted to align with the cost of two single-user subscriptions.
Renewal discounts will be removed, with a few exceptions. AutoCAD IST and AutoCAD LT will continue to offer a 5% discount for multi-year renewals.
2% increase for AutoCAD LT subscriptions in the US, Europe and the UK.
Why these changes
We regularly adjust our pricing to:
Reflect our ongoing investment in product innovation, AI advancements and added value that let you focus on high-impact, creative work
Deliver a more consistent and transparent pricing experience
Align pricing with market conditions and operational costs”
Autodesk has raised subscription prices for years. Some bumps were small. Others were not. The bigger shift has been the move away from network licensing. That model let firms stretch their investment. You could support a large team with a smaller pool of seats because everyone was not in the software at the same time.
That flexibility is gone. Everything is tied to named users now. If someone might open the software, they need a seat.
Most organizations now pay more. First from losing the concurrency advantage. Then from steady price increases. And now from losing the last renewal discounts that softened the hit. Even staying on the same tools with the same number of people costs more than it did a few years ago.
For those Using Autodesk Platform Service APS (formerly known as Forge)
Autodesk is also pushing deeper into consumption-based billing with Autodesk Platform Services. Model translation, automation, and other heavy operations now come with metered charges. Some APIs are free. Others are not. If you rely on complex models or automation, APS becomes another cost you have to track.
Autodesk points to AI, product investment, and consistent global pricing as the reasons. Some of that may be true, but the customer side feels different. Costs rise faster than the visible value, and teams are left to close the gap.
Many firms are stuck in the same loop
- Audit usage
- Clean out old accounts
- Right size seat counts
- Explain why spend still went up
- Repeat at renewal
Autodesk has shifted more of the financial load onto customers. The only control left is how clean your licensing footprint is.
How CAD and IT Teams Can Prepare for 2026 Budgets
Price increases will keep coming. The only move is to tighten your environment.
1. Clean your named-user roster
Run usage reports. Remove anyone who has not logged in for ninety days.
2. Match seats to real work
Many users do not need the product they have. Adjusting this saves money fast.
3. Align CAD, IT, survey, GIS, and VDC
One group acting alone can break your renewal plan.
4. Standardize versions
Mixed releases cost time and stability. Crashes and support calls pile up quietly.
5. Track APS usage now
Model translation and automation jobs add cost. Logging usage avoids surprises.
More great advice from friend and longtime Autodesk customer Darren Young wrote this post on reducing license costs and how to monitor.
Reducing Autodesk Licensing Costs By 30% – BIM there. Done that.
