AutoCAD life time license

[hiteshGNCR4]

Hi team,

I want to know that ,Can I get life time license of AutoCAD LT instead of monthly, Annually subscription.

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

No more perpetual licenses sold by Autodesk. They've changed their sales model to subscription base for a number of years now and with no plans to change it back.

[mdavis22569]

Unfortunately no.

You would be an older perpetual license 2017 or older, but they have OS limitations.  

Best is the subscription. 

[DarrenP]

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@hiteshGNCR4 wrote:

Hi team,

I want to know that ,Can I get life time license of AutoCAD LT instead of monthly, Annually subscription.

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Monthly, & yearly are your only options

[TravisNave]

I just came here to say, "No" since everyone else did.  I didn't want to be left out.  😅

[Simon_Weel]

BricsCAD has a lifetime license.

[ParishSouthBdx]

The term “perpetual license” can be misleading. While it suggests indefinite use of the software after a one-time purchase, in practice, this is subject to limitations. A perpetual license typically grants the right to use the purchased version of the software without recurring fees; however, it does not guarantee compatibility with future operating systems or continued vendor support.

For example, when an operating system update renders a licensed version unusable—such as AutoCAD 2018 failing to run on Windows 11—the concept of “perpetual” becomes questionable. Although vendors often release patches for various issues, no fix was provided in this case, leaving users without access to software they legally purchased. This lack of support can feel inconsistent with the promise implied by “perpetual.”

If this had been clearly communicated, many users might have delayed upgrading their operating systems to maintain functionality. Instead, the result was significant disruption: a critical tool became inoperable, halting workflows entirely. Minor interface changes are understandable, but complete incompatibility is a major setback—especially when the software still meets the user’s needs without annual updates.

Ultimately, this situation highlights a business model shift: subscription-based licensing. Under this model, “pay as you go” becomes “no pay, no go.” Ownership is replaced by ongoing rental, and user support often relies heavily on forums and peer discussions rather than direct assistance. While this approach benefits vendors financially, it raises concerns about fairness and long-term value for customers who invested in perpetual licenses.