TechSmith perpetual licences were the way Snagit and Camtasia were sold before 2025. The buyer paid once for a specific version and could use it for as long as the device’s operating system remained compatible. Updates and support were included only for a limited time.[1] A maintenance agreement was an annual subscription that gave access to future updates and versions, live support, volume discounts and certification courses. One year of maintenance was included with each perpetual purchase.[1] With the release of Snagit 2025 and Camtasia 2025 on 2025-02-12, TechSmith moved to subscription-only licensing. All active maintenance agreements were converted into Legacy License Subscriptions at maintenance-based pricing.[2]
Perpetual licences keep their value for software asset managers. Customers retain access to every version they bought under a perpetual licence, even if they also install 2025 subscription versions.[1] An estate can therefore hold perpetual installations of 2024 and earlier versions alongside Legacy or Business License keys for current versions.
Editions
TechSmith support identifies three licence types, and the installed type is shown under Help > About in Snagit or Camtasia Editor: Individual License Subscription, Business License Subscription, or Perpetual License.[3]
| Licence | Versions | Term | Key |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perpetual licence | Snagit and Camtasia 2024 and earlier[4] | Perpetual for the purchased version[5] | Version-specific key[6][7] |
| Maintenance (until 2025-02-12) | Access to new major releases while active[1] | Annual[1] | New key per release[2] |
| Legacy License Subscription | 2025 and later, while active[2] | Annual or multi-year renewal[8] | One Business License key for all later versions[1][2] |
Perpetual Snagit 2024 and Camtasia 2024 bought through the Apple App Store or Amazon receive no updates beyond version 2024.[1]
Metrics
The perpetual EULAs count the same Authorized User as the subscription EULA, but with a two-device allowance. Section 1 of the Snagit 2024 EULA grants “a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, limited license to install and run the Software in a manner consistent with its design and this EULA for a single Authorized User”.[5] Unless a separate agreement, such as a site licence addendum or a subscription addendum, sets a different term, the perpetual grant applies.[5] Catalog row: Perpetual licence (single Authorized User, two Devices).
A Legacy License Subscription is a key-based Business License. Customers with active maintenance received a Business License key, not an Individual License.[1] It is therefore counted like a Business License seat: Enterprise Subscription seat (Business License).
Counting / floors
The two-install rule (Snagit EULA effective 2024-01; Camtasia EULA effective 2023-05)
Section 2.1 of the Snagit 2024 EULA licenses one copy on one Device for a single Authorized User, once a valid, activated software key is presented. Except where the software is licensed as a multi-user program such as a site licence, “a second copy of the Software may be installed on a second Device for use by the same Authorized User”. Both the Windows and Mac versions may be installed.[5] The copies may not be used simultaneously: “In no event may the permitted copies of the Software installed by a single Authorized User be used simultaneously on more than one Device at a time.”[5] The Camtasia 2023 EULA contains the same second-copy allowance.[9] Catalog proof: Perpetual licence: second copy on a second Device for the same user; Perpetual licence copies may not be used simultaneously; Camtasia perpetual EULA: second copy for the same Authorized User.
For multi-user Orders, section 2.4 adds that the second copy must be used only by the same individual Authorized User and may not increase the total number of permitted users.[5] A 25-seat perpetual licence therefore covers 25 named people with up to two Devices each, not 50 people. Catalog proof: Second copy cannot increase the number of users on multi-user Orders.
Activation limits
TechSmith’s activation service enforces the rule. After a second activation, Snagit reports “Activation Limit Reached”. A third activation reports “Activation Limit Exceeded” or “No More Activations Available”, which TechSmith states is a violation of the EULA: “A single user software key can only be used on up to two machines for the same user.”[6] Camtasia Editor reports the equivalent “Installation Limit” messages.[10] Owners of single-user keys for Snagit 2021 to 2024 and Camtasia Editor 2020 to 2024 can clear all activations of a key from their TechSmith account and then reactivate.[11] To move a perpetual licence to another user or computer, the owner uninstalls it from the old computer and reinstalls it on the new one with the same key.[12] Catalog proof: Single-user key activates on up to two machines.
Version entitlement
A perpetual key unlocks the version it was bought for. A key for another version returns “Key Doesn’t Match Version”.[6] A perpetual licence entitles the holder to every update of that version, such as 2019.1.0 to 2019.2.0, but not to upgrades to a later version.[4] TechSmith stopped selling upgrades after 2025-01-01.[1] Perpetual upgrade licences for the 2025 versions cannot be bought.[1] TechSmith states that it no longer sells perpetual software and that it does not provide ongoing support for counterfeit perpetual keys.[13] Catalog proof: Perpetual keys unlock a specific version; No perpetual upgrades to 2025 versions.
Server use
The Snagit 2024 EULA allows installation on an Internal Network only for Authorized Users on Devices in that network. The limit is the total number of Authorized Users, not the concurrent number.[5] This matches the current subscription EULA.[14]
Virtualization & partitioning
Under the perpetual EULA, the software’s components are licensed as a single unit and may not be separated or virtualized across different Devices.[5] Deployment is limited to one environment, platform, operating system, language or medium on a single Device at a time.[5] As in the subscription EULA, a Device includes virtual systems, hardware partitions and blades.[5]
Cloud / BYOL
The perpetual EULAs contain no cloud or bring-your-own-licence provisions. Use is restricted to the licensee’s internal purposes, and hosting and time sharing are prohibited.[5]
Programs
Conversion to Legacy License Subscriptions (2025-02-12)
On 2025-02-12, each active maintenance agreement was converted into a Legacy License Subscription with maintenance-based pricing.[2] The Legacy key unlocks all later versions of the product while the subscription is active, so a new key is no longer issued each year.[2] The key is a Business License key. It is transferable, needs no sign-in and supports offline activation.[1] Customers who bought through a reseller also received Legacy keys and can renew through that reseller.[1] Customers who already had a site licence were already on a subscription model and were not affected.[1] Catalog row: Legacy License Subscription (formerly maintenance). Catalog proof: Active maintenance converted to Legacy License Subscriptions on 2025-02-12.
Legacy benefits are email, chat and phone support, certification courses, and the ability to add users at the maintenance-based rate.[2] Education or government discounts on maintenance agreements continued after the transition.[1] Seats are added with a quote or purchase order through sales, by credit card through TechSmith’s order entry team, or through a reseller, quoting the subscription ID.[15]
Pricing
TechSmith guarantees that Legacy renewal costs will remain below the full subscription price for at least five years, until 2030, although rates rise over time.[1] A price increase on Snagit and Camtasia Editor Legacy Licenses took effect on 2026-06-11. TechSmith described Legacy pricing as at least 50% below new subscription rates.[8] Legacy part numbers on the partner price list begin with SN (Snagit) or CM (Camtasia Editor) instead of carrying a B.[16] A seat extension on a Legacy License can cost more in the first year than the online subscription price. TechSmith explains that the added seats then renew at the lower maintenance-based rate.[17] Catalog proof: Legacy renewal pricing stays below subscription price until at least 2030; Legacy License price increase effective 2026-06-11.
Lapse and renewal
The Legacy model is no longer available to new customers, and “Any lapse in your agreement means moving to the current subscription pricing.”[8] A customer who stops renewing loses access to 2025 and later versions, certification, premium support and legacy pricing, but keeps previously purchased perpetual versions.[2] An auto-renewing subscription that has been cancelled can be reinstated (“un-cancelled”) before it expires.[1] Subscription IDs beginning with “M” do not auto-renew and must be renewed manually.[18] For purchase-order customers, access to subscription versions is lost if TechSmith does not receive the renewal order within 30 days, unless other arrangements were made.[1] TechSmith recommends a 3-year agreement or a site licence to avoid annual price increases.[8] Catalog proof: A lapsed Legacy License moves to current subscription pricing; PO renewals must arrive within 30 days to keep subscription access.
Transition allowances for perpetual estates
Customers with active maintenance could add seats for Snagit 2024 and Camtasia 2024 until October 2026, and those seats also have access to the 2025 versions.[1] Volume customers with active maintenance can keep buying perpetual seats and choose to install only the perpetual software, while also holding rights to the subscription versions.[1] Catalog proof: Seats for Snagit 2024 and Camtasia 2024 could be added until October 2026.
Support end dates
| Version | Without subscription | With active subscription (Legacy) |
|---|---|---|
| Snagit 2024 | Email support until 2026-12-31[19] | Chat and email until 2027-10-02[19] |
| Camtasia Editor 2024 | Email support until 2026-12-31[19] | Chat and email until 2027-10-02[19] |
| Snagit 2023 | Email support ended 2025-10-25[19] | Chat and email until 2026-10-25[19] |
| Camtasia Editor 2023 | Email support ended 2026-04-25[19] | Chat and email until 2026-12-31[19] |
| Snagit 2025, Camtasia Editor 2025 | Cannot be used without a subscription[19] | Supported until version 27 is released[19] |
Catalog proof: Support for Snagit 2024 and Camtasia Editor 2024 ends 2026-12-31 (2027-10-02 with Legacy).
Camtasia Legacy and Snagit
From 2026-06-01, Snagit was added to Camtasia Business License Subscriptions. Legacy Camtasia licences and legacy site plans, meaning subscriptions bought before 2025-02-12, are excluded.[20] Legacy customers can either move to a Business License Subscription, with a 60% discount on the first year, or buy standalone Snagit licences at standard prices.[20] Education Legacy Subscriptions include the latest Camtasia version but not Pro features such as avatars and translation.[21] Catalog proof: Legacy Camtasia licences and legacy site plans do not include Snagit.
Out of scope
This article does not cover pre-2021 EULA texts, TechSmith Capture or Fuse, or Jing. Current subscription terms are in TechSmith Snagit and Camtasia subscription EULA. Volume and site agreements are in TechSmith volume, site and education licensing.