I need help understanding what Topaz Photo is and how it compares to Photo AI.
Two years ago I bought Photo AI and downloaded it to my PC. A year later, while I could still use the app, I couldn’t receive new updates. So I renewed my license, and got back on track. A year later, my license expired again, only this time I couldn’t renew it, receiving a message that the product is no longer available!
So, I got on TopazLabs.com and found out that things got quite complicated.
Is Topaz Photo the same as Photo AI?
Is it still an app that can be downloaded to my PC and work offline?
Can I still renew my annual license, despite the new subscription system? If yes, where can I learn of the cost?
How are existing customers affected by the new subscription system? Is there any benefit, or none at all?
If you renewed your license yearly in the previous “subscription-light” model you won’t see much difference.
As long as you pay your yearly fee you can dl the app and do local rendering (for most models).
The only real caveat here is: once you stop paying you’ll lose access to the app, not only to updates. Before you could continue to use the app up to the version that was last released in your yearly period and that forever - just without further updates. Now you cannot use it at all after you stop paying (the Studio version, those older “AI” versions that were in your previous license should continue to work).
Topaz has recently moved over from Perpetual Licenses to a Subscription Model.
So, you can no purchase a yearly License Subscription only. More on that later
Essentially Yes, the two applications are the same the only difference is Topaz Photo AI is the Perpetual License version and has now been discontinued with no future development or updates other than minor patches to keep it compatible with Operating Systems
Topaz Photo is the new version moving forward and is the Subscription version of the application and as like the Topaz Photo AI this is a downloadable application you can run locally on your computer
Topaz Photo has two extra AI models Wonder and Standard MAX
Here’s the information you need about the current Subscription Pricing
If your current Topaz Photo AI Licence Expired close to or after September 16th then you might be able to get the current Subscription Topaz Photo at your regular Upgrade Price and the good thing is if, you do come under that category then your old Upgrade Price will be locked in for as long as you maintain your Auto-Renewal Subscription.
I can’t help with that I’m afraid I’m only a user like yourself so, here’s the link to contact the good people at Topaz Support directly and ask them
Yes, that is correct Subscriptions only if you’re interested Topaz have their Black Friday sale on with 43% off Topaz Studio and 15% off single applications including Topaz Video
Why did Topaz move to subscription. This is very disappointing it was the one thing that stood out for Topaz now you are just like all the rest. Users have enough subscriptions forced upon them. I have been a long time user of Topaz. But your subscription model is way too high and you have become greedy. I will no longer look to Topaz for image software solutions.
Welcome to the community and thank you for your inquiry I’m afraid I don’t work for Topaz just another user like your good self and if it’s ok with you I will try to answer the best I can and if you don’t mind perhaps give reasons why I decided to stay with Topaz and will continue to do so.
Why did Topaz move to subscription.
It was inevitable to happen and impossible to avoid if, you’re looking at the transition from a business and development perspective, this move wasn’t about greed it was a necessary evolution to ensure long-term Sustainability and Accelerated AI Innovation.
This is very disappointing it was the one thing that stood out for Topaz now you are just like all the rest.
Moving from a traditional buy and Own it forever Model to a Subscription Model is a massive shift, and it is completely understandable that long time users feel frustrated by Subscription and as you mentioned the one thing that stood out for Topaz was the ability to purchase the software.
However, that wasn’t all they stood out for they gave Customers tremendous flexibility which also, allowed users to Upgrade when it was convenient meaning you could purchase the App one year then, two, three, five years or more years down the line you could purchase it again and still get a heavy discount and even after your Licence had expired you still received minor updates.
Which didn’t help because, they were relying on new and previous customers either Buying or Upgrading every year so, they could invest in development
DxO are aware of these kinds of pitfalls for example; If you let your any DxO Software License lapse more than two years, you lose all Upgrade Eligibility and Must Pay the Full New License Price Again.
You still have a choice with DxO but, certainly limited
The point is Topaz were a victims of their own generosity being all things to all people and that was another thing that had them trapped plus they were relying solely on those Upgrade Fees, they were effectively stuck on a treadmill where they must invent flashy, marketing friendly new AI Models every year just to convince users to Upgrade.
In addition, many other AI Software Companies offset their continuous AI costs by moving everything to the cloud, forcing users to buy Rendering Credits and wait in Cloud Queues whereas, Topaz has remained fiercely committed to Local, Hardware Processing, ensuring your GPU does the heavy lifting.
Users have enough subscriptions forced upon them. I have been a long time user of Topaz.
The subscription ensures Topaz can remain a leader in Local AI Processing without forcing users into Cloud only dependencies.
Topaz do recognise and values your Loyalty by offering their loyal customers an incredible deal for single apps users they had the opportunity to keep their current version and continue using Studio version for the current Upgrade price and that price was fixed including Free Unlimited image Cloud Rendering.
People with two apps they received all the above plus access to the complete Topaz Studio Collection which includes Free Unlimited Cloud Rendering for images and 300 Video Credits worth $75 a month all for the price of two apps $163 per year and that price is fixed for as long as they continued paying.
In addition, if you used to Upgrade all three apps Topaz Photo, Gigapixel and Video AI Topaz again gave everything above but, dropped the price down to $163 per year which is more than 50% off the yearly Subscription.
However, they appreciate Subscriptions are not for everyone and their not forcing anything, upon you what they are offering new customers is flexibility.
Look at it this way with the Perpetual License you had no choice but to pay full price even if you were a Professional, who used it everyday Enthusiasts or Hobbyist who used it a few times a month or the Occasional user perhaps three times a year.
Now, with the Subscription they are no longer tied to paying the full price the Professional will opt for the Annual Subscription, a Hobbyist will have either the Annual or Monthly Subscription and the Occasional user will pay for one or two months a year
But your subscription model is way too high and you have become greedy.
Is it expensive that depends Topaz continues to have sales though out the year currently they have up to 50% off monthly Subscriptions and Black Friday they were offering new customers the $163 fixed price deal for as long as they continued paying.
Photoshop for instance, annual Subscription Is $263 per year however, the Photography Plan which includes Photoshop & Lightroom is $239 per year and that’s the same across all the Adobe Applications the individual apps cost more than the Bundled ones
Now, if you’re a Photographer, Designer, Artist Illustrator or Film Editor than, those individuals apps are more appealing than paying for the complete Collection you’re not going to use
However, if you fit into the more than one application criteria then, the full Creative Cloud Subscription is a better option because, you save over buying the individual apps Subscriptions
Topaz is no different the individual Applications cost more however, if you Subscribe to the full bundle then, the cost is much less plus, they cost the same as they did before the Subscription or do they let’s examine that
Topaz Photo Subscription is $199 the same price as Topaz Photo AI $199 but, you say that was the first year then $119 there after and you keep the Software version,
Very true but, I say that didn’t include Unlimited Cloud Rendering with Photo AI plus if you’re someone like me who Upgraded every year then those previous version never interested me in addition, since the move to Subscriptions Topaz Photo has had six major Updates including new and Updated Models and that’s the same story for the other apps.
Let’s look at the old AI Upgrade Prices in a little more detail compared to the Topaz Studio Subscription
Topaz AI Upgrade Prices:
Topaz Photo AI = $119 per year
Topaz Gigapixel = $79 per year
Topaz Video AI = $149 per year
Total = $347 did included keeping the Apps didn’t include image or Video Credits
Topaz Studio Subscription:
$399 per year including all the current Topaz apps and Free Unlimited Image Cloud Rendering plus, 300 Video Credits worth $75 a month or $900 worth a year.
All for $52 more than the Upgrade price of Topaz Photo AI, Gigapixel and Video AI combined.
That’s the reason I decided to stay with Topaz and will continue to do so because, for myself personally even if I wasn’t Grandfathered in then, I wouldn’t hesitate to take up the Subscription it represents excellent value for money and all this for an extra $52 per year.
In addition, you’re actually save time and money in the long run though increased productivity and les wear and tear.
Because, you have Cloud Rendering you can either Render images in the Cloud and on your computer at the same time or do Batch Processing in the background while you’re working on different images Locally plus, you can use the Topaz Studio Cloud apps from any device basically, taking Topaz with you anywhere you go thus, saving you time with multiple Rendering and saving money though less wear and tear on your Expensive Hardware and Electricity.
Topaz didn’t switch to Subscriptions to become “just like all the rest.”
The move was made precisely to ensure that Topaz remains an independent, Cutting Edge Powerhouse capable of delivering industry leading Image and Video Enhancement Tools for years to come.
I hope, this gives you pause for thought, by taking a moment to stop and carefully think about this information and maybe reconsider your current plans by please contacting the good people at Topaz Support because, they still consider you a valued customer and asking them what your options are after all it’s not going to cost you anything by asking.
In the meantime here’s another example of the Topaz Studio is capabilities
