Stardock Forums
We are creating this thread to pool constructive feedback on the upgrade structure and process for Fences 5.
Current upgrade FAQ
https://stardock.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SHC/pages/1614315524/Fences+5+Upgrade+FAQ
Is there an ‘Upgrade’ option for a permanent license?
Yes, please see the checkout page for exact pricing for your upgrade.
The Upgrade of a permanent License is 32€?
If I click on upgrade I only get the annual subscription option. If I click on permanent license I get the window above?
I am somewhat confused on how I can upgrade my permanent license(s).
Note: I am logged in.
Why so expensive for an upgrade to my Fences 4 permanent license?
My Fences 3 to 4 upgrade was $9.69. To upgrade from 4 to 5 will now cost me £27.89? That doesn't seem right. Am I missing something?
Is there an ‘Upgrade’ option for a permanent license?
Yes, please see the checkout page for exact pricing for your upgrade.
The Upgrade of a permanent License is 32€?
If I click on upgrade I only get the annual subscription option. If I click on permanent license I get the window above?
I am somewhat confused on how I can upgrade my permanent license(s).
Note: I am logged in.
I made a mistake when editing the document, there is a discount currently when purchasing permanent licenses during the release preview period.
Tried it again. Can't really see any change.
How do I access the upgrade option of my license into another permanent license? Not into a subscription.
I'd like to buy a permanent UPGRADE license for Fences 5.
BUT:
When logged in and clicking on "Need a permanent subscription?": 31,49 € (what the...? :-o)
When logged in and clicking on "upgrade" below the green "Get it Now" button: 41,08 € (excuse me? o.O)
(I also had to provide my mail address which makes no sense when already logged in, btw)
I paid 7,49 € for upgrading Fences 3 to 4 on Sept. 28th 2023.
As a valued user I expect something like in that price range!
Otherwise that's it for me with Fences.
Are you really serious??! 
Or am I missing something?
Then please tell me 
Fences is a great product, no doubt, but it has grown way too expensive for me. I only have Fences 3, and if that stops working some day, I will not be buying a newer version. More than 40€ for Fences 5 (I don't do annual subscriptions) is too much. 
The last time I upgraded Fences from version to version it was $5. Now, if I want to go the non-subscription route, the upgrade is $27, over 5 times the previous price.
I get inflation etc. but that's just slapping your loyal customers in the face just so you can bring in new ones that will pay you money every year. SaaS for single app desktop customization is ridiculous.
@Stardock Management.
I totally understand you as a company need to bring your pricing in line with the economy, rising wages, running costs, (big boats
, flashy cars
) etc.. (jokes aside) I get it i really do but...... I feel there is a point where you can become overly aggressive with pricing and IMO we are here. The price to upgrade from V4 to V5 doesnt offer any insentive to perpetual license holders rather you have only offered a discount to everyone who joins the beta program. Come SD...... Really...
I personally been using your software for a few years now and own a number of titles across different versions and now you have left me feeling as though im being taken advantage off. Based on your price for V5 i can see the benefits of having the subscription as paying £30 today in less than12months getting V6 would cost around £50 (based on price from V4 to V5) so spending £9.99 to get the latest is ok. but im sick of subscriptions, I just spent the past 6 month getting rid off a buckett load of the dam things and im not about to enter anymore. What you have offered in terms of differences between V4 & V5 doesnt warrent you hammering us with this unfair price hike.
I will support stardock and the great work you do until im not abled to use a computer or dead..... so at least reward me/us for this!
I paid for all Fence version (permanent) and I need to throw more 30 euro for upgrage ? The last version I paid (Vers 4) was last september so I missed october free upgrade ..... Can someone help on that please ?
Is there an ‘Upgrade’ option for a permanent license?
Yes, please see the checkout page for exact pricing for your upgrade.
The Upgrade of a permanent License is 32€?
If I click on upgrade I only get the annual subscription option. If I click on permanent license I get the window above?
I am somewhat confused on how I can upgrade my permanent license(s).
Note: I am logged in.
I made a mistake when editing the document, there is a discount currently when purchasing permanent licenses during the release preview period.
I made Brad Sams response bold font.
...wait, there was a FREE upgrade?! 
How did I miss that?! 
I have read that. That doesn't tell me anything. I do not understand what that is supposed to mean.
Is there an option to upgrade a permanent license to another permanent licence or not? I have read the FAQ yesterday. I don't understand how I can get an upgrade for my license.
Permanent license "UPGRADE" price:
Still "no" to that.
Well, me neither.
I really enjoy Fences, have been a user since V2, but I liked it because it was priced right for what it did. This price increase for a permanent license is 3X what I paid for a Fences 4 license. At that price, I don't see the value for what it does.
Not a fan of the subscription model either. I am ok with paying for a new version when it is released, and get updates for 30 days or so. I would also be ok with paying a small fee for an update outside of that window (within the same point release, not to a new version). But to pay that every year, when a new version isn't released every year I don't want to do (bought V2 in 2013, V4 in 2023). Had the subscription model been used for V2, I would have paid $90 for that time (2013 to 2023)... While I love Fences, it doesn't do $90 worth...
I also just purchased my Fences 4 license in September, so I also missed the window...
Hopefully Stardock will realize this is quite a jump in price and reconsider...
I'm using Fences since version 2 and the the upgrade prices from v2 to v3 were $4,99 and from v3 to v4 €10,99. That was a 100% price hike then, but overall I found that fair for what the software does. But an upgrade price of €31,49 is plain unjustified in my eyes.
I will not upgrade to v5 until the price model for the permament licence is fixed.
I have added more language to the FAQ to clear up any confusion regarding upgrade pricing:
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Wow, that's quite a slap in the face for previous loyal customers. As already written, I'm not willing to pay a 300% price increase for such minor changes compared to v4. To advertise the €3.50 discount at launch as a replacement for an upgrade discount is a bad joke in my eyes.
I will continue to use v4 for as long as possible and switch to another product if necessary. There are a few other options out there that basically do the same thing and are free.
is it too late to get benefit of the release preview discount ?
Long time SD customer, soon to be ex customer.
I can't believe you are inflating the price of fences and no longer offering permanent license upgrade pricing!
This pricing strategy is to push end-users to the subscription, however this type of utility will suffer in popularity under this model. Thank you for giving the middle finger to your loyal users.
No, its still available on the purchase page
https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/#purchase
Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager
Sorry, but that still doesn't seem to make sense. According to your website, we are in the "Release Preview" window, but there is no upgrade pricing available to me as a Fences 4 permanent license customer, well unless the upgrade price is £27. How is that a discount?
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