Software Makers' Subscription Drive
Software makers are converting consumers from licenses to subscriptions in earnest
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In 2013 consumer software companies proved they could pull off the switch from one-time software purchases to an online subscriber model that costs customers more long term. Market researcher IDC estimates software subscription revenue has risen about 16 percent, to roughly $65 billion this year from $56 billion in 2012, and will approach $78 billion next year. IDC analyst Amy Konary says it’s too soon for those software makers to declare victory, “but what they consider a success is having a [subscription] model out there, having customers choosing that approach.”