Subscriptions, 5 Reasons to Avoid

You typically got in the box an instruction getting started booklet, lots of guff about warranty and twenty or thirty installation floppy disks. This has largely been replaced by the subscription-based model.

Under this system, users pay recurring fees, often monthly or annually, to access software. While this approach certainly provides certain benefits for the vendors and some users, it has also led to a number of significant problems that affect consumers, small businesses, and even the software ecosystem at large.

We've come up with five reasons for you to think again before you type in your credit card.

1. Cost Over Time

One of the most obvious drawbacks of software subscriptions is the long-term cost. While the upfront price of a subscription may seem lower than a perpetual license, the cumulative expense over time can be considerably higher. For example, a user might previously pay £200 for a standalone version of a software suite that could be used for years, whereas now they may be required to pay £20 per month for access—amounting to £240 annually. Over five years, that’s £1,200, six times the original cost.

This becomes particularly burdensome for individual users, students, and small businesses with limited budgets. The need to maintain multiple software subscriptions for everyday tasks—invoicing, word processing & photo editing, can result in hundreds or even thousands of pounds in recurring costs each year.

2. The software is never yours

Another major issue with the subscription model is the lack of ownership. With traditional software licenses, users had the assurance that once they purchased the software it was theirs to use indefinitely. In contrast, subscription software is essentially leased; access is revoked as soon as the user stops paying. This arrangement can feel unfair to customers who have paid significant amounts but are left with nothing tangible when they cancel.

This also poses a risk for long-term projects. If a user builds important documents, designs, or systems using subscription-based tools, they could lose access to those files or the ability to edit them if they stop paying. Even if the files remain on their device, proprietary formats may require the original software for editing or exporting.

3. Locked In

Subscription software often encourages—or necessitates—software vendor lock-in. Since users must maintain an active subscription to retain access to their work, they become tied to a specific ecosystem.

Transitioning to a different tool might require costly data migration, retraining, or loss of productivity. In the case of design or proprietary software, switching might not even be feasible due to unique file formats and compatibility issues.

This dynamic gives software companies disproportionate power over their users. They can raise prices, change terms, or alter functionality, knowing that customers are unlikely to leave due to the high cost or inconvenience of switching.

4. Privacy and Connectivity Concerns

Many subscription-based applications require constant internet access to verify licenses, download updates, or connect to cloud-based features. This is fine if you live in the city but problematic in poor coverage rural areas. Moreover, the need to be online introduces privacy concerns, as software companies may collect usage data, personal information, or behavioural patterns as part of their services.

In some cases, even core functionality may be limited without an internet connection. This reliance on connectivity undermines the independence and portability that many users value in their tools.

5. Forced Updates & Feature Bloat

Under the subscription model, software companies often push regular updates as part of the service to prove the initial value proposition . While staying current might sound beneficial, it also introduces problems. Users may find themselves forced to accept changes they don’t want or need interface redesigns, feature removals, or performance issues that arise from updates optimised for newer systems.

Additionally, updates may introduce unnecessary or bloated features that slow down performance or complicate the user experience. Because subscriptions tie access to the latest version of the software, users can’t easily choose to stick with a version they prefer, as they could under the perpetual license model.

End thoughts

While the subscription model offers certain conveniences—such as access to updates, cloud storage, and support—it is not without its downsides. The loss of ownership, increased long-term costs, forced updates, vendor lock-in, and privacy concerns all present significant challenges for consumers. As this model becomes the norm, it's crucial for both users and developers to advocate for more flexible and fair software licensing options—ones that respect user autonomy, support affordability, and preserve access to critical digital tools.

Which bring us to a message from our Sponsor.

Envoyce is a free & open invoicing platform that is focused on its ease of use and efficiency. At Envoyce, we have no shareholders and our primary desire is to improve the invoicing experience. We offer an unrestricted subscription free base platform with paid add-ons as you need them. 

Try Envoyce today, sign up here.