Apple has introduced a new subscription software service. Apple Creator Studio brings together Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage. The suite covers video editing, music making, creative imaging, and visual productivity.
From Thursday, 29 January, a subscription fee of A$19.99 per month will include access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and Pixelmator Pro on Mac and iPad. The Mac also gets Motion, Compressor and MainStage. There’s a one-month free trial. University students and educators can subscribe for A$4.99 per month or A$49 per year. All prices are including of GST.
As you’d expect, Apple’s media release gushes about how groundbreaking, efficient and powerful this suite is. And, of course, there’s a sprinkling of AI with “new AI features and premium content in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers”. Freeform will also get some of that AI love in a later release. Naturally, productivity will be “supercharged”.
There is some good news. You’ll still be able to purchase the Mac versions of Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage individually as a one-time purchase through the Mac App Store.
The rise of subscription software is not new. As Apple’s Services revenue continues to be the company’s fastest rising segment, it’s not surprising that the company wants to keep building that momentum. The annual subscription fee will appeal to many as purchasing each application on its own is a massive investment.
| Final Cut Pro | $499.95 |
| Logic Pro | $299.95 |
| Pixelmator Pro | $79.99 |
| Motion | $79.99 |
| Compressor | $79.99 |
| MainStage | $49.99 |
| Total | $1089.86 |
The subscription effectively turns the purchase of all six products in a five year instalment plan. That’s assuming you need all six applications.
As a long time user of Pixelmator Pro, from well before Apple acquired the application, I’ll stick with my one-time purchase.
The Creator Suite is a shot across Adobe’s bow. Apple now has undercut Adobe’s pricing by a significant margin. For example, Creative Cloud Pro costs $157.99 per month – more than 75% of Apple’s annual cost. And Adobe’s monthly fee is not actually monthly – it’s an annual plan. So, even if you only need the tools for a short project, you keep paying the monthly fee for a full year.
Apple’s shift to subscription software was inevitable. And while many will rail against this shift, at least the price is reasonable when compared to the cost of buying the full suite of apps separately.
It remains to be seen if owners of the standalone apps will receive updates and new features as promptly as subscription users.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.