Jetbrains does not require subscriptions for continued use of any version. Purchasing a 12-month subscription (which is cheaper than their previous "perpetual license") gives you a perpetual license for the current version of software.
This is actually my favourite licensing technique I have come across for software.
https://sales.jetbrains.com/hc/en-gb/articles/207240845-What...
There’s a difference though. Previously the version you ended up with was the one at the end of the year of updates. In the current model you have to reinstall the old version of the time of purchase, undoing the updates you got. It’s actually quite clever since you immediately notice what you’re missing by not paying.
You can actually keep your next current version by buying for a few months to extend to the next 12 month anniversary. See last timeline example on this page:
https://sales.jetbrains.com/hc/en-gb/articles/207240845-What...
I could have sworn they offer specials or something where you can get the current and next version.. can't recall, I end up upgrading each year to keep my discount going.
Re:Subscription Hell
by Bishonen88 on Sunday May 06, 2018 @02:20PM
(#17007543)
no, not like webstorm. Webstorm is pretty similar to sublime text. You pay a price for a perpetual license. After one year of use, you can decide whether you keep on using the 'old' version, or if you pay again to have the newest one with all the updates. I think the comment you were referring to was thinking about stuff like adobe, where if you don't pay, you don't get anything.
I do feel that I get value for my money and with the yearly fee I get all the updates (which are important in the ever changing world of web development), but sometimes it still feels like protection racket.