Home Designer 2026 and beyond will be subscription based

[BalutFX]

Well, I guess it was inevitable, but I’m still not happy that the 2026 and beyond Home Designer line will no longer be offered as a one time purchase. Especially since the upgraded features will likely still be extremely minimal and severely limited from the Chief Architect Premium version. Here is the the text from today’s sales email:

 

Update: From the products page, looks like their 10% off sale for the 2025 versions ends August 4th, so that os probably right before the release date for the 2026 version. 

 

We are excited to announce the new version of Home Designer 2026 will be available later this summer. Our 2025 product line (Suite, Architectural, Professional) will consolidate into a single product that will be subscription based either monthly or annually.  This is your last chance to purchase Home Designer 2025 Suite, Architectural, or Professional

Edited July 18 by BalutFX
Added probable date for 2026 release

[y-g-m-n]

I hate subscriptions even though I tend to upgrade every year but it was always my choice...

 

Subscriptions force one to upgrade basically every year - I find the updates come more often but tend to be rushed and most updates are fixing issues from last updates.

 

I understand why software companies like subscriptions as they feel they get a more consistent revenue stream but I would have to guess it is less then before since some just say NOPE.

 

but if the subscription is cheaper per year then the upgrades from years past then OK.

But when I stop the subscription I feel the software should stay on computer and work but never get updated again.

 

Remember the only reason Software companies do updates/upgrades etc is to get you to send in more $$$$.

 

Sad day when 2026 comes out.

[wildnut]

I have been doing away with some of my subscriptions, including Adobe's suite, for instance.  I find that I can do plenty with the open source or other free versions.  Fortunately, I did the rent-to-own for the 2024 version of Home Designer Pro and did receive the 2025 version at no cost.  So, that was nice.  I do understand the frustration with believing a new perpetual version will be coming out, only to find out it won't, as some are experiencing.

 

But regarding the subscription, this isn't software that I need.  In fact, unlike some of the Adobe applications I ultimately cancelled, I barely even use the much more niche Home Designer Pro.  I, of course, have no idea the number of customers who use Home Designer Pro professionally, but I'm sure there are at least some.  But for existing customers like me, who aren't in the business of designing homes, the only reason I would consider the subscription on an on-going basis would be if it's similar to the same price as upgrading once a year.  Otherwise, if it's much higher, then this software, given my usage and the pretty underwhelming number of updates to justify even it's current yearly price, just isn't worth subscribing to as a non-professional, casual user of Home Designer Pro.  But, even if the price is attractive, so many of these companies love to keep raising the price that I'm sure I'll be a Home Designer Pro 2025 user until the year 2125, at the earliest.   

[mthd97]

Subscription Perpetual Vs Subscription timed out ? Who wins the future home design software business ? We will see the results in time. My guess is that those that stay perpetual and give good value will win in the long run. Open source software is growing and so is AI automated rendering. At least some of those companies could reconsider scrapping perpetual subscription. I personally may not choose to buy a subscription timed out CAD software in the future. At least Chief Architect Premier still has legacy SSA perpetual available for those who keep paying the yearly fee.