Autodesk Named User vs Network License vs Flex Tokens
Introduction – Why Autodesk Changed Its Licensing Models
Autodesk’s licensing overhaul in 2020 marked a fundamental shift in how companies access its software. Autodesk pitched it as a “simplification,” but many customers saw it differently – as a move to boost its revenue.
This move to Named User licensing put an end to that flexibility – each employee or contractor now needs their own license. Autodesk retired network licenses – then sold back the flexibility through the new Flex token model.
This guide breaks down Autodesk’s three major licensing models – legacy Network licenses, Named User subscriptions, and Flex tokens – to help you understand how each works and which model fits different scenarios.
Read our comprehensive guide to Autodesk license models, Autodesk Token & Named User Licensing: Understanding FLEX and Subscription Models.
The Legacy Model: Network (Multi-User) Licenses
The legacy network license (also known as a multi-user or floating license) allowed concurrent sharing of Autodesk software seats.
A company could buy a pool of licenses and install the software on many machines, with a license server controlling how many people could use it at once (for example, 10 network licenses allowed up to 10 people to use the software concurrently; when one person closed the application, another could take that free spot).
Access was checked out from a central server, not tied to any individual’s Autodesk ID.
- Advantages: Extremely efficient for large teams with staggered usage, because you only need licenses for the peak number of concurrent users – saving money overall.
- Disadvantages: It requires maintaining a license server and administrative overhead. Importantly, this model is no longer sold – Autodesk stopped selling network licenses in 2020. Existing network license holders can continue under maintenance, but cannot add new seats going forward.
Action Tip: If you still have network licenses under maintenance, guard them closely. They’ve become a rare commodity and can be a source of leverage when negotiating with Autodesk. As long as those legacy entitlements remain active, you retain some flexibility that new customers don’t have.
Autodesk Named User Model Explained
The Named User model has been Autodesk’s standard licensing method since 2020. Instead of sharing licenses, each subscription is assigned to a specific person (an Autodesk ID email account).
- Advantages: Compliance and tracking are much easier. Autodesk (and your admins) can see exactly who is using which product and for how long via built-in usage dashboards. There’s no need to maintain a license server, and the cost is predictable per user (annual subscription).
- Disadvantages: If John is assigned a license but only opens AutoCAD once a month, you’re still paying as if he uses it daily. Licenses cannot be shared among multiple people, so they offer less flexibility for fluctuating team sizes. You must be diligent in reallocating or reclaiming licenses when people leave or don’t need the software.
Pro Tip: Named User licensing is great for staying compliant and giving Autodesk full visibility – but it can be terrible for cost efficiency if you simply convert all your old network users 1:1. Monitor usage and avoid paying for idle licenses.
Autodesk Flex Token Model (FLEX)
Autodesk Flex (token licensing) is a pay-per-use model introduced in 2021 to reintroduce some flexibility for occasional users. Instead of buying a full annual license for each user, you purchase a pool of Flex tokens (which expire after one year) and assign users to the token pool.
Each time someone launches an Autodesk product, a set number of tokens is deducted to give that user 24 hours of access to that product. For example, one day of AutoCAD use might cost around seven tokens (roughly $21).
- Advantages: Flex is very cost-effective for part-time or project-based users. If someone only needs the software a few days a month, tokens let you pay just for those days (often far cheaper than a full annual license). Flex also complements Named User licensing in a hybrid setup – your daily users have Named licenses, and occasional users share a token pool.
- Disadvantages: Flex requires active management of usage and careful forecasting of token needs. Unused tokens expire after 12 months, so over-purchasing means wasted budget. A frequent user can burn through tokens quickly – potentially costing more than a fixed subscription, so if someone is using Flex nearly every day, they should be moved to a Named User plan.
Checklist: To get the most out of Flex, do the following:
- Model the expected token burn rate per user or project. Estimate how many days each person will likely use the software.
- Identify any “crossover” point where a user’s token usage would cost more than a subscription. Those heavy users should be given a Named User license instead of a Flex license.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Below is a side-by-side comparison of Network licenses (legacy model), Named User subscriptions, and Flex tokens. This highlights the key differences in how they work and who they benefit:
| Feature | Network (Legacy) | Named User | Flex Tokens (FLEX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Discontinued (legacy only) | Standard since 2020 | Available since 2021 |
| License Assignment | Floating (shared pool of concurrent users) | One user per license (personalized) | Token pool (users draw from tokens) |
| Access Model | Concurrent use, managed by a local license server | Individual cloud login per user | Pay-per-use; 24-hour access per token charge |
| Cost Structure | Fixed pool cost (shared seats) | Fixed annual cost per named user | Variable, consumption-based (buy tokens) |
| Usage Visibility | Limited central logs | Built-in usage dashboard (per user) | Detailed token usage reports |
| Best For | Teams with shift-based or staggered use | Full-time daily users | Occasional or project-based users; mixed environments |
| Main Risk | Legacy dependency (no new licenses; must eventually migrate) | Paying for inactive users (shelfware) | Over-purchasing tokens (expiry) or runaway token use |
Insight: In today’s Autodesk landscape, many companies find that a hybrid approach is best. Use Named User licenses for your core full-time staff who need the software every day, and use Flex tokens for the rest (the occasional drafters, contractors, or those who only open Autodesk tools sporadically). This way, you balance cost predictability with flexibility.
Cost and Usage Scenarios
To illustrate how these models play out in real life, let’s look at a few usage scenarios and the recommended licensing model for each:
- Scenario A: Daily User – If someone uses Autodesk software almost every day (e.g,. 200 days a year), a Named User subscription is the most cost-effective choice. Using Flex tokens that frequently would cost far more than a fixed annual license.
- Scenario B: Occasional User – If a person only needs the software a few days per month, Flex tokens are ideal. They will likely spend much less on tokens over a year than the price of a full annual Named User license.
- Scenario C: Shared Team or Lab Use – If a team used to share network licenses (e.g., 10 people on 5 seats), you now face two options: buy each user a subscription or let them share a Flex token pool. Flex can mimic the old efficiency as long as not everyone needs the software at the same time (but if several people work concurrently, multiple token charges will apply).
Action Tip: Base your decision on each user’s average usage – high-usage people go on Named User plans, low-usage users use Flex, so spending matches actual needs.
Transition Timeline & Trade-In Notes
- 2020 – End of New Network Licenses: Autodesk stopped selling new multi-user (network) licenses and declared that future licensing would be based on single-user (named user) subscriptions.
- 2020–2023 – Trade-In Offers: Autodesk offered a ‘2-for-1’ trade-in at renewals, allowing one network license to be traded for two Named User subscriptions at about the same cost. This deal was available through 2023.
- Legacy Customers: If you still have network or perpetual licenses under maintenance, you can renew them for now, but Autodesk eventually wants everyone on the new model. Legacy users face restrictions – for example, they have no access to new versions or can’t add seats without switching. Likely, Autodesk will further limit or end support for these old licenses in the near future.
Pro Tip: If your organization is still holding onto network licenses or other legacy entitlements, use that as a bargaining chip.
Autodesk sales reps want you to move to Named User or Flex, so you may negotiate a better price or concessions when you eventually make the switch. Don’t wait until Autodesk forces you – negotiate while you still have leverage from the old model.
Choosing the Right Model – Strategic Fit
- Full-Time Users: Named User license – predictable cost and unlimited daily use.
- Occasional/Part-Time Users: Flex tokens – pay only for actual days of use.
- Shared or Rotating Teams: Flex (or hybrid mix) – a shared token pool simulates the old network model (but multiple concurrent users will consume multiple tokens).
Read about changes, True-Up and True-Down: Managing Autodesk License Changes.
5 Tips to Choose the Right Autodesk Licensing Model for Your Team
Autodesk licensing isn’t one-size-fits-all – it’s about matching your spend to actual usage. Here are five tips to help you choose the right mix of licenses:
- Classify users by real usage, not just job title. Don’t assume every “engineer” needs a full license. Track who actually uses Autodesk software daily versus occasionally.
- Use Flex for occasional roles and Named licenses for heavy users. This hybrid approach prevents paying full price for infrequent use while ensuring power users are fully covered.
- Model token costs every year before buying. Heavy or growing usage might make a full subscription cheaper than tokens.
- Keep any legacy network licenses as long as possible. They can serve as negotiating leverage and provide additional flexibility.
- Review usage and adjust quarterly. Check your Autodesk license usage every few months and make changes. Reassign idle Named licenses and move heavy Flex users to subscriptions.
Read about our Autodesk Audit Defense Service.
