Autodesk Renewal FAQs
Renewal time is here, and you’ve got decisions to make. Before you renew, downgrade, or decide to walk away from any Autodesk subscriptions, it’s important to know what actually happens behind the scenes.
In this FAQ, we address the most common renewal questions our clients ask.
By understanding how Autodesk handles non-renewals, downgrades, term changes, and more, you can avoid compliance risks and overspending. Consider this your practical guide to staying in control of Autodesk renewals.
For a wider guide, read Autodesk Renewal & Price Increase Management.
What if We Choose Not to Renew Some or All Autodesk Subscriptions?
If you decide not to renew an Autodesk subscription, that license will simply expire at the end of its term. Autodesk subscriptions are term-based (e.g., annual or multi-year) – they are not perpetual licenses that you own forever.
This means that once the period you paid for ends, access to the software and any associated services will stop for that subscription. There’s no penalty or formal process required for non-renewal; you can drop as many seats or products as you need to at renewal time.
However, staying compliant is crucial when letting subscriptions lapse. Make sure to uninstall or revoke access to any software that isn’t renewed. Even though the software will cease to function without an active subscription, you don’t want users trying to continue using it (which could create compliance issues). Partial non-renewal is allowed, so you can selectively renew only the licenses you still need and let others end.
Keep in mind that Autodesk (or your reseller) may notice if a major customer dramatically reduces their licenses.
In some cases, Autodesk will reach out to understand why – and they might even offer retention incentives or discounts to encourage you to keep those subscriptions. This isn’t guaranteed, but large drops in spend often trigger a response from the vendor.
Pro Tip: Planning to drop a significant number of seats? Communicate early with Autodesk or your reseller. If they know ahead of time that you might not renew a big chunk of licenses, you could unlock last-minute retention offers or discounts to change your mind.
For more insights, Negotiating Your Autodesk Renewal Quote: Tactics to Reduce Cost.
Can We Downgrade Our Autodesk Subscription (e.g., from a Collection to a Single Product)?
Yes – you can downgrade your Autodesk subscriptions at renewal time, but not mid-term. “Downgrading” usually means switching from a higher-tier bundle (like an Industry Collection) to a more limited or single-product license.
For example, you might move from the AEC Collection down to just AutoCAD and Revit, or from a Product Design & Manufacturing Collection to only Inventor.
This is allowed when your current subscription period ends, since you’ll essentially be getting a new quote for the products you want moving forward.
Consider a few things when downgrading at renewal:
- Timing: Autodesk won’t let you break a subscription mid-cycle. Downgrades are processed as a change of product at the renewal date. You’ll get a quote for the new (lower-tier) product instead of the old one.
- Promotional Restrictions: If your existing subscription was obtained via a special promotion or a legacy trade-in (for instance, you traded old suite licenses for a discounted Collection), double-check with your reseller about any restrictions. In some cases, those deals come with conditions that might limit switching to other products.
- Pricing Impact: Make sure to verify the pricing of the new configuration. Collections are priced as bundles and often carry built-in discounts for multiple products. If you only use one or two apps heavily, downgrading to individual product subscriptions can save money. But if you still need several applications, dropping the Collection might actually cost more to license the equivalent standalone products. Always compare the quotes: sometimes an Industry Collection remains the cost-effective choice if your team relies on multiple included tools.
After confirming those points, instruct your reseller to adjust the renewal quote to the desired products. They will essentially process it like a new purchase for the chosen SKU, effective after your current term ends.
Pro Tip: Downgrading is easiest at renewal because your contract is ending – think of it as starting fresh with the product mix you really need. Just be sure your reseller correctly quotes the new licenses and that you have all the features you expect. (For instance, if you move off a Collection, confirm the individual product subscription still includes any important cloud services or extras you rely on.)
Can We Switch from Annual to Multi-Year (or Vice Versa) at Renewal?
Absolutely. Renewal time is the perfect opportunity to change your subscription term length. You can go from annual terms to a multi-year commitment, or from a multi-year back to annual, when your contract is up for renewal.
Each option has its trade-offs.
Here’s a quick comparison of Annual vs. Multi-Year Autodesk subscriptions:
| Term Option | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Renewal | – Maximum flexibility to adjust each year (can change seat counts or products yearly) – Lower upfront cost since you pay one year at a time | – Priced at the standard annual rate (subject to any yearly price increases) – No long-term price protection – your cost may rise at each renewal |
| Multi-Year (2–3 Year) | – Lock in pricing for the duration of the term (price protection for 2-3 years) – Often includes a small overall discount (e.g. committing to 3 years might save around 5-10% compared to renewing annually) – Less administrative hassle (one renewal covers multiple years) | – Higher upfront cost (typically the full multi-year fee is paid at once) – Less flexibility to drop seats mid-term (you’re committed to those licenses for the term) – If your needs decrease, you’re still locked in until term end (no refunds for unused time) |
Most Autodesk multi-year subscriptions are for 3-year terms, though 2-year subscriptions may be available in some cases.
Multi-year deals provide price predictability: you won’t be affected by annual list price increases during that period. On the other hand, sticking with annual renewal means you can course-correct more frequently – useful if your headcount or project needs fluctuate year to year.
If you are switching to a multi-year term, it’s wise to negotiate price protections. Ensure that the rate you sign up for is fixed for the whole term. (Autodesk typically honors the agreed price for multi-year prepayments, but get clarity on any clauses.)
Also note the payment: multi-year subscriptions usually require upfront payment for the full term, so budget accordingly or ask if your reseller can arrange annual billing at the locked-in rate.
Conversely, if you’re moving from a multi-year plan back to an annual one, be prepared for any multi-year discount or locked pricing to end. Your next annual renewal could be at the then-current rate, which might be higher if Autodesk’s prices have risen.
Pro Tip: Choose the term that fits your situation. Stable environment with long-term projects? A multi-year term can save money and shield you from price hikes.
Rapidly changing team or uncertain budget? Annual terms keep you flexible. Either way, discuss your plans with your reseller early – they can often align your term change with a price lock or special offer, especially if you’re considering a longer commitment.
Read our guide on how to prepare, Preparing for Your Autodesk Renewal: Internal Audit & Planning Steps.
What Happens If We Miss the Renewal Date?
Life happens – maybe an invoice got stuck in approval, or the renewal just slipped through the cracks. If you miss your Autodesk renewal date, don’t panic.
Autodesk generally provides a short grace period after a subscription expires. In many cases, this grace period is around 30 days past the expiration.
Here’s what to expect if a renewal is late:
- Grace Period Renewal: If you realize soon after the expiration (within a few weeks), you can often still renew the subscription retroactively. Autodesk and resellers can backdate the renewal to the day after your term ended, which means your coverage continues uninterrupted. You’ll pay for the gap as if you had renewed on time, and your new term starts from the original end date.
- Lapse and Reinstatement: If too much time passes (beyond the grace window), Autodesk will treat the lapsed subscription as a new purchase instead of a renewal. This has implications: you might lose any prior pricing advantage or legacy discounts, and any special legacy entitlements are gone. You’d essentially be starting over at current list prices and terms.
- Access to Software: Technically, once your subscription expires, your users lose access to the software (it will often show as expired or not launch). During the brief grace period, Autodesk doesn’t always shut off access immediately – but relying on that is risky. Using the software past its expiration without a valid license is not compliant with regulations. An Autodesk audit (or the software phone-home features) could flag unlicensed use if you let things lapse for a long time.
If you know your renewal might be delayed (perhaps due to internal procurement processes or budget sign-off timing), it’s wise to inform Autodesk or your reseller.
They can usually extend your quote and keep it open for a short period. Often, Autodesk will temporarily honor the renewal pricing if it knows the PO is on the way. Communication can save you from being bumped to a new, higher price due to a minor delay.
Pro Tip: If the renewal is going to slip past the expiration date, reach out proactively to Autodesk or your provider.
In most cases, they’ll work with you – they may extend the renewal grace or hold your pricing for a few extra weeks. It’s much easier to get a short extension ahead of time than to fix a fully expired contract after the fact.
Can We Change Our Reseller at Renewal?
Yes, you can switch to a different Autodesk reseller when you renew, and renewal time is actually the ideal (and cleanest) moment to do it.
You are not locked into buying from the same reseller forever. Companies often change resellers to get better pricing, service, or vendor consolidation.
How to switch resellers at renewal:
- Plan Ahead: Identify the new reseller you want to work with and contact them well before your renewal date. Let them know you intend to transfer your Autodesk business to them. You or the new reseller should also inform Autodesk of this change.
- Reseller Assignment: Autodesk can reassign your account to the new reseller in their system. Typically, the new reseller will coordinate this once you give the go-ahead. It’s wise to do this a few weeks in advance so that the new partner has access to your subscription info and can generate renewal quotes.
- Renew Through New Reseller: Once the account is switched, your renewal quote and processing will be handled by the new reseller. They will have your subscription details, including what needs to be renewed and when. Confirm with them the list of licenses to renew (and any you plan to drop or change) so nothing is missed in the transition.
The benefit of changing at renewal is that your contract period is ending anyway, so it’s a natural break-point to introduce a new reseller without mid-term complications. All your subscriptions will continue as before, now under the care of a different Autodesk partner.
Why switch? A new reseller might offer more competitive pricing, better customer service, or specialized expertise (for example, some resellers focus on AEC, manufacturing, etc., and can provide relevant support).
You might also prefer to consolidate all your software under one reseller for simplicity. If you have multiple Autodesk contracts or other software vendors, having a single point of contact can streamline vendor management.
Pro Tip: There’s no need to wait until the last second. Get quotes from a couple of Autodesk partners ahead of renewal.
If you find a better fit, initiate the reseller change early. Also, consider co-terming your Autodesk licenses (aligning them to the same renewal date) with the new reseller so that future renewals are easier to manage in one go.
Will Custom Settings or Cloud Projects Be Affected by Non-Renewal?
If you choose not to renew a particular Autodesk product, you should be aware of what happens to any cloud services or data tied to that product.
Autodesk subscriptions often come with cloud entitlements – for example, cloud storage, Autodesk Docs/BIM 360 access, Forge credits, or project collaboration spaces – that are available to active subscribers.
Here’s what to consider for data and settings when a subscription lapses:
- Cloud Access: When a subscription expires (and you don’t renew), the user accounts under that subscription will lose access to associated cloud services. For example, if you had an AEC Collection that provided Autodesk Docs (construction cloud) or cloud rendering credits, those services deactivate for the users once the Collection isn’t renewed. They won’t be able to log into those online platforms for that product.
- User Settings & Preferences: Local custom settings (like profiles, tool palettes, or customizations saved on your computer) are not automatically erased. If you later re-subscribe, those settings can often be reused. But any cloud-stored settings or libraries (saved to Autodesk’s cloud) might become unavailable after expiry.
- Project Data Retention: Autodesk typically retains your cloud-stored project data for a limited time after your subscription ends. They don’t immediately delete everything on the first day of expiration. However, this retention is temporary (for instance, Autodesk might keep data for 30 days or more, but it’s not indefinite or guaranteed). If you know you’re not renewing, it’s smart to export or back up any critical cloud-hosted projects or files before the subscription end date. That way, you have local copies of your work.
- Downgrading Implications: If you are downgrading from a higher-tier product to a lower-tier one, double-check the cloud features. For example, moving from an Autodesk Collection (which includes cloud collaboration tools) to a single product might mean losing some cloud storage or collaboration capability. Ensure the new subscription level still meets your needs for accessing projects and data.
In short, non-renewal will turn off the cloud taps for that software. Your locally saved work and software customizations remain on your machines, but anything in Autodesk’s cloud ecosystem needs attention beforehand.
Pro Tip: Before any non-renewal or downgrade, audit your cloud assets. For each product you might drop, list out any cloud projects, datasets, or custom content online. Download everything you need while your subscription is active. This way, even if Autodesk eventually purges the cloud data, you have your own copy safe and sound.
Is There a Benefit to Renewing Early?
Renewing early – for instance, a few months ahead of the expiration date – can be a wise strategic move, but it’s important to know what it does and doesn’t do. Autodesk doesn’t typically give an extra discount just for signing the renewal early.
In other words, you’ll generally pay the same price whether you renew now or right before the deadline, assuming no pricing changes in between. That said, there are still some advantages to getting it done ahead of time:
- Avoiding Price Increases: Autodesk often updates its price lists annually (many times around the beginning of the calendar year). If you know a price increase is coming, renewing before that effective date locks in the current pricing. For example, if on January 1st prices are set to go up 5%, and your renewal is due in March, it might be possible to renew in December at the lower rate and extend your term beyond the current end date. Early renewal in this case can directly save money.
- Budget Utilization: Some organizations prefer to use the available budget in the current fiscal year by renewing a bit early. This can make finance happy and ensure funding doesn’t disappear. It won’t change the subscription term (it would extend from the current end date), but it commits the funds while you have them.
- Peace of Mind & Negotiation Position: By sorting out your renewal well in advance, you reduce the risk of last-minute issues or lapses. You also maintain negotiation leverage because you’re not bumping against a deadline in panic mode. If you start renewal discussions early, you have time to evaluate offers, counter-proposals, or even consider alternatives. Waiting until the eleventh hour can put you in a corner – Autodesk knows you need continuity, which can weaken your bargaining position. Early renewal discussions keep the timeline on your terms.
What you shouldn’t expect purely for early action is a special “early bird” discount from Autodesk – they usually stick to their standard pricing or promotional programs. But indirectly, early renewal can mean you capture existing discounts (before they vanish) or avoid new surcharges.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Autodesk’s announcements or your reseller’s hints about upcoming price changes. Many Autodesk price hikes or policy changes hit around January. If your renewal is in the first half of the year, consider getting a quote in Q4 of the prior year. Even if you’re not ready to sign early, having that quote means you’re aware of the costs and can decide if it’s worth locking in. Early planning is free leverage.
Five Practical Actions Before Your Autodesk Renewal
When it comes to Autodesk renewals, a little preparation goes a long way.
Here’s a quick checklist of actions to take before renewal time arrives:
- List Expiring Licenses: Inventory all your Autodesk subscriptions, their quantities, and exact end dates. Know what’s coming up for renewal and when. This list prevents surprises and gives you a full picture of your renewal scope.
- Decide What to Drop or Downgrade: Review usage over the last year. Identify any licenses that aren’t being used or users who no longer need access. Plan to drop those subscriptions. Also, decide if any users or teams could suffice with a cheaper product (e.g. AutoCAD LT instead of full AutoCAD, or single-product instead of a Collection). Align your renewal order with actual needs, not historical purchases.
- Review Contract Terms: Check your Autodesk agreement or renewal quote terms for things like grace periods, renewal notice requirements, and any price caps or special conditions from past deals. Also, note if you have the flexibility to switch resellers or co-term licenses. Knowing these details will inform your negotiation and timing (for instance, if you have a 30-day grace, you know the true latest date to renew without loss).
- Plan Communication: If you anticipate significant changes – such as dropping many seats or delaying the renewal – inform Autodesk or your reseller early. Giving a heads-up can sometimes lead to incentive offers and set expectations. Also, coordinate internally to ensure procurement, IT, and management are on the same page about renewal plans, preventing any last-minute internal objections or confusion.
- Backup Cloud Data: Before you cancel or reduce any subscriptions, back up any important data from Autodesk’s cloud services. Download project files from BIM 360/Autodesk Docs, export any design data, and note any custom settings. This ensures you won’t lose access to critical files if a subscription ends or changes.
By taking these proactive steps, you’ll enter renewal discussions confident and prepared. Renewal time doesn’t have to be stressful.
Whether you’re dropping seats, switching resellers, or considering a downgrade, the key is knowing your options early. Use that knowledge to stay in control of both costs and compliance – and turn your Autodesk renewal into a strategic opportunity rather than a scramble.
Read about our Autodesk Audit Defense Service.
