Perpetual Plugin Licenses and Plugin Subscriptions Compared

Nov 01, 2023

Welcome to our guide comparing perpetual plugin licenses with plugin subscriptions. On this page you can explore the advantages of each model, to help you make the right choice for your needs.

	Perpetual License	Ultimate Subscription	Essential Subscription
Plugins	Purchase plugins one by one or in bundles	Subscribe to over 230 Waves plugins	Subscribe to over 110 plugins
Payment	One-off payment. You buy a perpetual license that does not expire.	Monthly or annual payment options
Updates	You get one free year of updates from the moment you purchase. If you need to update to a newer version later on, you can do so by renewing your Waves Update Plan coverage	All updates are free: Your products are always up to date. Easy one-click software updates from Waves Central
Number of licenses	2 licenses can be used by the owner on two systems at a time, as long as the product is covered by the Waves Update Plan (see above). See Terms & Conditions	2 licenses can be used by the owner on two systems at a time
Activate different products to different machines	You can use one plugin or bundle on one system, and other plugins or bundles on a second system; the licenses are separate. See Terms & Conditions	All plugins included in Waves Creative Access are managed via a single license for each subscription, with activation on 2 systems at a time. See 2nd license terms & conditions
New plugins	May be added to select bundles covered by the Waves Update Plan, or purchased separately	All new plugins added for free	Select new plugins added for free
StudioVerse integration	Use StudioVerse chains that include the plugins you own	Unlimited use of all StudioVerse plugin chains	Use StudioVerse chains that include the 110+ plugins in Waves Essential
Gemstones	Not available	All Gemstones included	Select Gemstones included

Perpetual License

Purchase plugins one by one or in bundles.
One-off payment. You buy a perpetual license that does not expire.
You get one free year of updates from the moment you purchase. If you need to update to a newer version later on, you can do so by renewing your Waves Update Plan coverage.
2 licenses can be used by the owner on two systems at a time, as long as the product is covered by the Waves Update Plan (see above). 1 license after the first year, if the product is no longer covered by the Waves Update Plan.
You can use one plugin or bundle on one system, and other plugins or bundles on a second system: the licenses are separate.

* The 2nd license can be used by the owner of the main product license only. You may not transfer ownership of the 2nd license separately to another person. Both licenses (main license and 2nd license) must be deactivated before the main license can be transferred.
May be added to select bundles covered by the Waves Update Plan, or purchased separately.
Use StudioVerse chains that include the plugins you own.
Gemstones not included.

Ultimate Subscription

Subscribe to over 230 Waves plugins.
Monthly or annual payment options.
All updates are free: Your products are always up to date. Easy one-click software updates from Waves Central.
One subscription license can be used on one system at a time. Waves Creative Access subscribers get 2 license activations which they can use on separate systems.
All new plugins added for free.
Unlimited use of all StudioVerse plugin chains.
All Gemstones included.

Essential Subscription

Subscribe to over 110 plugins.
Monthly or annual payment options.
All updates are free: Your products are always up to date. Easy one-click software updates from Waves Central.
One subscription license can be used on one system at a time. Waves Creative Access subscribers get 2 license activations which they can use on separate systems.
Select new plugins added for free.
Use StudioVerse chains that include the 110+ plugins in Waves Essential.
Select Gemstones included.

For full terms and conditions, please see the Waves EULA.