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Licensing and Subscription questions
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Topic starter
Here are some common questions. We will add to this list over time.
Q. What is SoftRAID Premium?
A. SoftRAID Premium is a full version of SoftRAID, including all available features. It includes the ability to create new RAID volumes, access to SoftRAID Monitor, and access to OWC Support. SoftRAID Premium access is maintained with an active subscription.
Q. What is SoftRAID Standard?
A. Standard is a free tier of SoftRAID that allows full read/write access to your volumes, rebuild capability with the ability to swap disks, and access to OS compatibility updates. You can use SoftRAID Standard when your Premium license expires, or you choose to get a free license. There is no cost to Standard, just get a license by registering. Standard still qualifies for updates to be compatible with your oS.
We do not offer technical support for standard, although you can ask questions here at the Forums.
We find many users do not want to pay for a RAID application, but simply want their existing RAID volume to continue to work. Or, you may want to share your SoftRAID volume with another user temporarily. Or use your volume at home without purchasing a paid license. SoftRAID Standard offers this option.
Q. I already have an active license for SoftRAID 7. What is the cost for SoftRAID 8?
A. SoftRAID Premium is a free upgrade for all users with an active support plan.
Q. When do I have to renew my Premium License?
A. When you purchase a qualified OWC enclosure, you receive free support and all upgrades for 3 years. This includes all future upgrades, including SoftRAID 8. When your support and upgrade plan expires, you need to renew your support to maintain Premium features. If you choose not to renew, you will still get access to SoftRAID Standard features.
Q. What happens if my license expires, or I do not want to pay for support?
In this case your license will convert to SoftRAID Standard. A Standard license does not qualify for technical support, and has limited features. But Standard will maintain compatibility with newer versions of your OS.
Q. If I purchase a new OWC enclosure, can I use the license received with my other enclosures, without paying for each enclosure?
A. A SoftRAID Premium license covers the computer, regardless of how many enclosures are connected. This means if you purchase a new enclosure, you receive 3 additional years of Premium, including technical support, email notifications, etc, on ALL your attached enclosures.
This topic was modified 2 years ago 2 times by SoftRAID Support
Posted : 20/03/2024 9:49 am
ok, so I can now get a standard licence to continue keeping my 3 OWC Thunderbays functional??? This was a big letdown, as I discovered I would be held ransom and would need to fork out an additional AU$200 per year for the remaining life of the enclosures, which would bring the Total Cost of Ownership above anything else in the market. Where can I get the standard licence? I also sometimes plug my Thunderbays in my Laptop and it's a great inconvenience to every time need to disable my laptop licence. Will this also solve this? I'm just doing a review of my experience with OWC devices for my YouTube channel, and the above is a major drawback. Has this issue been solved now? I can't find any way to download the standard licence on your web site!
This post was modified 2 years ago 2 times by steve223
Posted : 24/03/2024 4:58 am
Topic starter
Just "buy" a standard license:
https://software.owc.com/product-category/softraid/
Its free.
Also note, for temporarily connecting an enclosure to another computer, there is no need to have an active license, it will work perfectly. the license is needed to be active to manage the volume, if you are just connecting to cop[y data, just use it.
We have never required an active license to mount SoftRAID Volumes, except a window in M1, before Ventura 13.3. Even then you could install SoftRAID in trial mode, or install your active license and deactivate it on that computer to use it.
Posted : 24/03/2024 11:37 am
so does the standard licence allow me to use and manage my Raid as it’s intended to be used? When I purchased the Hardware raids I did not anticipate an extra cost of nearly AU$200 per year just to operate it.
Posted : 24/03/2024 3:58 pm
Topic starter
It does not let you create new volumes, but you can manage, rebuild and replace disks, yes.
Posted : 24/03/2024 5:38 pm
@softraid-support ok, that is something, but still, such a pity as it still cripples the hardware I bought after three years unless I purchase yearly updates, which here in Australia, with the US$ course, cost me nearly double what you would pay in the US and makes the total cost of ownership so much more expensive than for instance the Promise Pegasus series (which is also way more reliable when I think back of all the issues SoftRaid had with Monterey and my devices not being usable for many, many month). How about offering me a free extension of the full SoftRaid 8 for at least a year, given I spend thousands of $ for hardware I could not use for a long time (go through all my support tickets)
Posted : 24/03/2024 5:45 pm
I have a SoftRaid 7 XT license I purchased last August.
If I install SoftRaid 8, what version will I end up having?
Posted : 24/03/2024 9:31 pm
Topic starter
The driver version is determined by MacOS, i.e, Sonoma 14.4 means the 8.0 driver loads.
The app will be SoftRAID 8
Posted : 24/03/2024 10:42 pm
@softraid-support Sorry, that's not what I meant.
As a fairly recent SoftRaid 7 XT customer, will I end up with SoftRaid 8 Standard or SoftRaid 8 Premium? Or is the question not relevant? I'm trying to understand how the new licensing model works for people who in the past have purchased a license.
Posted : 24/03/2024 11:03 pm
Topic starter
Essentially, everyone gets SoftRAID Premium. When your support plan "expires", SoftRAID reverts to Standard, with limited features. As long as you have active subscription, you are on Premium.
Posted : 25/03/2024 10:57 am
@softraid-support Good to know. I'll stick with SoftRaid XT 7.6. I absolutely unequivocally refuse under any circumstance to get involved with subscription-based software. EVER.
Topic starter
Understand. Its the way of the world. However, you will be limited in MacOS upgrades. One option for you is this:
keep a Mac around that can run an older MacOS (10.15-14)
Install SoftRAID 8 as Standard. Its a "free" subscription, never expires, and lets you manage your volume. For more than replacing a disk, connect to your older Mac. SoftRAID 8 Standard can detect SMART issues, but will not notify or email you, that requires Premium. But this confuguratio lets you use SoftRAID going forward.
the only Technical Support you can receive on Standard or "expired support plan on 7.x" is here on the forum.
And note that any new qualified enclosure purchase gives you 3 years of free upgrades/support. Between all this, this should fit your requirements.
Posted : 25/03/2024 3:13 pm
@softraid-support is not the way of the world. No other raid system like Promise, G-Rraid, or TerraMaster requires you to hire software to use the hardware (this is also only mentioned in the fine print when I purchased your Thunderbays). This blows the Total cost of ownership over, say, 10 years (that's how long I had my Promise R6 before I sold it) of any OWC Raid well above any other solution on the market just to use the device as intended.
Posted : 25/03/2024 6:14 pm
Pavel reacted
I just had a look to renew my SoftRaid 7 XT licence I'm supposed to pay US$149, which is around AU$200, roughly 10% of the purchase price of the Thunderbay, after that, I'm supposed to pay US$79 per year, which is around AU$129. This may be a reasonable update price in the US in US$ but for us in OZ it's around 50% dearer not appreciated.
Posted : 25/03/2024 6:26 pm
Topic starter
It took a while to get approval, but because of your incidents, we can extend your support for a year. I need your license number.
Posted : 26/03/2024 1:40 pm
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