- June 23, 2025
- FOXITBLOG
Following recent conversations with our user community regarding our perpetual license support, we believe it’s important to provide a definitive and comprehensive explanation. This post will serve as the single source of truth, designed to answer your questions directly and transparently.
Let’s address the most important question first: Foxit is not phasing out perpetual licenses. We are, and will remain, fully committed to the significant number of customers who prefer the ownership model of perpetual software.
This article outlines our support policy, the strategic rationale behind it, and what it means for you.
Understanding Foxit’s Support Policy
To ensure we deliver a secure, stable, and modern experience, our support structure is focused on recent versions of our software. The policy is centered on a model commonly referred to as “N/N-1,” which is an industry standard for enterprise software.
Here are the key facts of the policy:
- Effective Date: The support structure will be fully in place on August 5, 2025.
- The Model: We provide active support—which includes security patches, feature updates, and technical assistance—for the current major version (N) and the one immediately preceding it (N-1).
- A Practical Example: On August 5, 2025, we will release Foxit PDF Editor/Editor Pro v14. From that day forward until the next release, the officially supported perpetual versions will be v14 (N) and v13 (N-1).
The Strategic Rationale Behind the Support Structure
A clear support policy is not just an operational detail; it is a core component of our product strategy. This approach allows us to deliver greater value to our customers by enabling three key objectives:
- Concentrating Development Resources: By focusing our engineering talent on a defined set of recent versions, we can more effectively allocate resources toward building and enhancing the features our customers demand.
- Accelerating Innovation: A streamlined support matrix frees our teams to innovate more rapidly. This means faster access to new capabilities and a more dynamic product roadmap that responds to the evolving needs of the modern workplace.
- Strengthening Security and Compliance: In today’s threat landscape, security is non-negotiable. Concentrating our efforts on recent versions ensures we can provide robust, timely security patching, helping our customers maintain a strong compliance and security posture.
How the Policy Impacts Your License
We recognize our customers fall into different groups, and the implications of this policy vary. Here is a straightforward breakdown based on your situation.
For Users of Version 12 or Older Your software will not stop working. You retain indefinite access to your software’s functionality. However, after August 5, 2025, these versions will no longer receive security updates, new features, or technical support from our team.
For Customers Purchasing New Licenses This model is designed to provide exceptional long-term value. With a new perpetual version released approximately every 2 to 2.5 years, our N/N-1 support model provides a typical support and update window of 4-5 years for each new license purchase. This ensures a predictable and substantial return on your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will my older perpetual license software stop working? No. It will continue to function. The policy only affects access to future updates and technical support for versions older than N-1.
2. Are you forcing me to upgrade? No. The decision to upgrade rests entirely with the customer, based on your feature, security, and support requirements.
3. Does this mean you’re getting rid of perpetual licenses in the future? No. We are committed to the perpetual license model and will continue to offer it as a core part of our product portfolio.
4. What if I require technical support for an unsupported version? Our official support channels are dedicated to the N/N-1 versions. For all other versions, our extensive online knowledge base and community forums remain available as valuable resources.
Our Commitment to Customer Choice and Value
Foxit’s success is built on providing customers with choice, power, and value. Our support policy for perpetual licenses is a direct reflection of that commitment. It is structured to deliver a secure and innovative product experience while ensuring that customers who invest in a perpetual license receive years of predictable support and updates.
We believe this clarity will help you plan effectively and continue to derive maximum value from our products.
To learn more, please visit the following resources:
- Explore the latest features in Foxit PDF Editor.
- Visit our official Support Portal.
- Contact our sales team with any purchasing questions.