Pro Tools makes music creation fast and fluid, providing a complete set of tools to create, record, edit, and mix audio. Get inspired and start making music with a massive collection of plugins, instruments, and sounds. Tackle your most ambitious visions with proven features that power you through the most demanding projects.
Prices listed on this page are accurate as of June 17, 2024. Please check the product page for current pricing, as it may have changed.
Overview of Avid Pro Tools Licenses
Learn about the intricacies of the Avid Pro Tools licensing structure, including teams, multiuser, and educational options.
If you have questions about the terminology used in this document, please see Licensing Terminology.
Versions of Avid Pro Tools
Pro Tools Intro
➤ Free version to get started making music
➤ 8 audio and 8 MIDI tracks
➤ 39 instruments and effects
➤ 2GB of loops and samples
Pro Tools Artist
Pro Tools Artist makes music creation fast and fluid, providing many of the same trusted tools the pros use to realize your artistic visions. From non-linear clip launching to world-class editing and mixing workflows, Pro Tools streamlined workflows keep pace with your creative flow. Find inspiration in over 100 effects and instruments to explore. Create any style of music with easy-to-use MIDI tools and a huge sound library to get you started. And because you can do everything all in Pro Tools, you don’t need to move projects to other software to sound incredible.
➤ Everything you need to start making music
➤ 32 audio and 64 MIDI tracks
➤ 100+ instruments and effects
➤ Inner Circle and Sonic Drops
Pro Tools Studio
Pro Tools Studio is the core of a complete music production system, providing you with a customizable, end-to-end environment for every stage of creation. From non-linear clip launching to world-class editing and mixing, tackle your most ambitious visions with advanced features that power you through the most demanding projects. Bring ideas to life with powerful real- time MIDI tools and a massive collection of instruments, effects, and sounds. Capture performances in pristine 32-bit audio for high dynamic range recording. And mix stereo and spatial audio projects with fully automated ease. When you need to sound your best, nothing delivers like Pro Tools.
➤ For serious music artists, producers and engineers
➤ Key features include:
- 512 audio and 1 video track
- 120+ instruments and effects
- Immersive mixing support
Pro Tools Ultimate
Take on the biggest, most complex productions with this top-tier offering for audio post and music professionals who require the full track and I/O counts, Pro Tools | HDX workflows, guaranteed performance, and advanced features that Pro Tools has to offer. Pro Tools Ultimate provides the complete toolset, plus a massive collection of plugins, sounds, and software to maximize your creative possibilities. Create and mix the largest, most complex productions with ease—including Dolby Atmos and Ambisonics.
➤ The complete toolset for music and audio post
➤ Key features include:
- 2,048 audio/64 video tracks
- Full audio post workflows
- Immersive mixing support
Compare Versions
Pro Tools Subscription New/Renewal
Pro Tools Artist Subscription
Includes 1 year of:
- Software Updates
- Standard Support (Chat & Email)
- Artist Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1 GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Pro Tools Studio Subscription
Includes 1 year of:
- Software Updates
- Standard Support (Chat & Email)
- Complete Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- SoundFlow Cloud Avid Edition
- Heat
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1 GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Pro Tools Ultimate Subscription
Includes 1 year of:
- Software Updates
- ExpertPlus Support (Email & Phone)
- Complete Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- SoundFlow Cloud Avid Edition
- Heat
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1 GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Note: Educational licenses (EDU) are available for Studio and Ultimate only as a subscription.
Pro Tools Perpetual NEW
Pro Tools Artist Perpetual (NEW)
Includes 1 year of:
- Software Updates
- Standard Support (Chat & Email)
- Artist Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1 GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Pro Tools Studio Perpetual (NEW)
Includes 1 year of:
- Software Updates
- Standard Support (Chat & Email)
- Complete Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- SoundFlow Cloud Avid Edition
- Heat
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1 GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Pro Tools Ultimate Perpetual (NEW)
Includes 1 year of:
- Software Updates
- ExpertPlus Support (Email & Phone)
- Complete Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- SoundFlow Cloud Avid Edition
- Heat
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1 GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Note: New Perpetual licenses are not available for Education (EDU).
Renewals & Perpetual Upgrades
You have a 14-day grace period to renew your subscription to Pro Tools. To explain, Avid uses a unique 8-digit identifier called a System ID, which you will need when you renew. You can find this number in your Avid account.
Note: The 14-day grace period is most important for schools with Lab Licenses. If the renewal is outside of the 14-day grace period, the IT person will need to update all the computers with new system IDs and authorizations.
Perpetual Upgrades are for both renewals and expired customers and are exempt from Avid’s Reinstatement Policy. Active Software Updates and Support Plans attached to a Perpetual License can be renewed at any time. There is no reinstatement fee.
Pro Tools Licenses for Individuals and Businesses
Pro Tools Artist for Single Users
Subscriptions & Perpetual Licenses
Pro Tools Artist Subscriptions
If you are | Duration | Minimum # Seats | the license you need is… | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
a new user and I want to lease Pro Tools Artist for 12 mos. | 1-year Subscription | 1 | Pro Tools Artist 1-Year Subscription NEW | $99 |
a user with a current Pro Tools Artist subscription that is about to expire… | 1-year Subscription* | 1 | Pro Tools Artist 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL | $99 |
Pro Tools Artist Perpetual Licenses
Pro Tools Artist Perpetual New licenses include
- Software Updates
- Standard Support (Chat & Email)
- Artist Plugin Bundle
- Sonic Drop Content
- Inner Circle Rewards
- Melodyne Essential
- GrooveCell & SynthCell
- 1GB Cloud Collaboration Storage
Pro Tools Artist Perpetual Upgrade | Duration | Minimum # Seats | the license you need is… | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
new to Pro Tools and want to own Pro Tools Artist forever | Perpetual | 1 | Pro Tools Artist Perpetual w/ 1-Year of Updates + Support Plan NEW | $199 |
a current Pro Tools Artist perpetual licensee and would like to renew updates for another year* | Perpetual | 1 | Pro Tools Artist Perpetual Upgrade | $69 |
Pro Tools Studio for Single Users
Subscriptions & Perpetual Licenses
Pro Tools Studio Subscription Licenses
If you are | Duration | Minimum # Seats | the license you need is… | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
a new user and I want Pro Tools Studio for 12 months. | 1-year Subscription | 1 | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription NEW | $299 |
a user with a current Pro Tools Studio subscription that is about to expire… | 1-year Subscription | 1 | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL* | $299 |
Pro Tools Studio Perpetual Licenses
If you are | Duration | Minimum # Seats | the license you need is… | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
new to Pro Tools and want to own Pro Tools Studio forever | Perpetual | 1 | Pro Tools Studio Perpetual w/ 1-Year of Updates + Support Plan | $599 |
a current Pro Tools Studio perpetual licensee and would like to renew updates for another year | Perpetual | 1 | Pro Tools Studio Perpetual Upgrade* | $199 |
Pro Tools Ultimate for Single Users or Multi-Seat for Studios
Subscriptions & Perpetual Licenses
Pro Tools Ultimate Subscription Licenses
If you are | License Type | Minimum # Seats | the license you need is… | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
a new user and I want Pro Tools Ultimate for 12 months. | 1 year Subscription | 1 | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription NEW | $599 |
a user with a current Pro Tools Ultimate subscription that is about to expire…* | 1-year Subscription | 1 | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL | $599 |
a studio without Pro Tools Ultimate that wants to install multiple licenses in a facility for 12 mos. | 1-year Subscription | 5 | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription Multiseat License – NEW (Minimum 5) | $599 |
a studio with Pro Tools Ultimate that wants to renew multiple licenses in a facility for another 12 mos. | 1-year Subscription | 5 | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription Multiseat License – RENEWAL (Minimum 5) | $599 |
Pro Tools Ultimate Perpetual Licenses
If you are | License Type | Minimum # Seats | the license you need is… | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
I don’t have Pro Tools Ultimate & I want to own Pro Tools Ultimate forever | Perpetual | 1 | Pro Tools Ultimate Perpetual License w/ 1-Year of Updates + Support Plan | $1,499 |
I own Pro Tools Ultimate (version HD9 or later) and would like to renew updates for another year | Perpetual | 1 | Pro Tools Ultimate Perpetual Upgrade* | $499 |
Pro Tools for Education
Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate are available for individual students/teachers and Institutions.
For students and teachers
For special pricing, you must have verified academic eligibility.
Pro Tools Ultimate Education is for Students/Teachers only. Institutions must purchase a multi-seat license.
Multi-seat/Network Licensing for EDU
Mult-seat network licensing is available as a subscription for Pro Tools Studio and Pro Tools Ultimate. Only one iLok is needed for the entire network.
Note: Volume and Multi-Year discounts are available for Pro tools. Please contact our sales team for a quote.
Educational Pricing for Pro Tools Studio
Subscriptions & Perpetual Licenses
Pro Tools Studio Subscription Academic Pricing
Note: Pro Tools Ultimate Education is for Students/Teachers only. Institutions must purchase a multi-seat license.
If you are a… | the license you need is… | Minimum # Seats | Duration | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
student/teacher without Pro Tools and wants a 12-month lease | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription NEW – Student/Teacher (Education Pricing) | 1 | 1 year | $99 |
student/teacher without Pro Tools about to expire | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL – Student/Teacher (Education Pricing)* | 1 | 1 year | $99 |
an Institution without PT & want to lease for 12 mos. | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription NEW – Academic Institution | 1 | 1 year | $99 |
I have Pro Tools Studio Institutional Subscription about to expire | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL – Academic Institution* | 1 | 1 year | $99 |
For an Institution without Pro Tools that wants to install multiple licenses in a lab for 12 mos. | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription Multiseat License – Academic Institution, NEW (Minimum 5)** | 5 | 1 year | $99 per seat |
For an Institution with Pro Tools that wants to renew its licenses in a lab for another 12 mos. | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription Multiseat License – Academic Institution, RENEWAL (Minimum 5)** | 5 | 1 year | $99 per seat |
**Only one iLok is needed for Network Licenses for EDU. Cloud licensing is also available, but dependent on an internet connection.
Pro Tools Studio Perpetual Academic Pricing
Note: New licenses with academic pricing are discontinued. Only renewals are available for Pro Tools with Academic Pricing.
If you are a… | the license you need is… | Minimum # Seats | Duration | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pro Tools Studio Student/Teacher (version 9 or later) and would like to renew updates for another year | Pro Tools Studio Perpetual Upgrade – Student/Teacher (Education Pricing) | 1 | Perpetual | $99 |
Pro Tools Studio Institutional (version 9 or later) and would like to renew updates for another year | Pro Tools Studio Perpetual Upgrade – Academic Institution* | 1 | Perpetual | $99 |
Educational Pricing for Pro Tools Ultimate
Subscription Licenses
Pro Tools Ultimate Subscription Academic Pricing
If you are a… | the license you need is… | Minimum # Seats | Duration | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
student/teacher without Pro Tools Ultimate and wants a 12-month lease | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription NEW – Student/Teacher (Education Pricing) | 1 | 1 year | $299 |
Student/Teacher w/ a current Pro Tools Ultimate EDU Subscription that is about to expire | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL – Student/Teacher (Education Pricing)* | 1 | 1 year | $299 |
an Institution without Pro Tools Ultimate & want to lease for 12 mos. | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription NEW – Academic Institution | 1 | 1 year | $299 |
I have Pro Tools Studio Institutional Subscription about to expire | Pro Tools Studio 1-Year Subscription RENEWAL – Academic Institution | 1 | 1 year | $299 |
For an Institution without PT that wants to install multiple licenses in a lab for 12 mos. | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription Multiseat License – Academic Institution – NEW (Minimum 5) | 5 | 1 year | $299 each |
For an Institution with Pro Tools Ultimate NLS that wants to renew its licenses in a lab for another 12 mos. | Pro Tools Ultimate 1-Year Subscription Multiseat License – Academic Institution – RENEWAL (Minimum 5) | 5 | 1 year | $299 each |
**Only one iLok is needed for Network Licenses for EDU. Cloud licensing is also available, but dependent on an internet connection.
Licencing Terminology
It’s important to have licenses for different user needs, but it can be complex. Below, we’ll break down each license and who the license is designed for.
Annual Subscription
With an annual subscription, users can use the software for one year. If there’s a significant update during that time, you can download and use it during that year. If your subscription expires, you can no longer use the software, unless you renew the license.
Individual License
For a single user, or if it’s an educational license, for a single student or teacher.
Studio License
Enables small to medium-sized businesses to purchase multiple seats under one license that can be assigned and unassigned to team members. Using the Admin Console’s assign and un-assign feature, you can now easily reallocate licenses from team members who are not using a seat or are no longer on your team, to those who need one. For education, team licenses can refer to a group of students or a classroom.
Perpetual Licenses
This means that you have that license for the software and you can run it for as long as you can run the software. This license can be upgraded to the next major version for a price but you can also keep running the software as long as you like. Normally small point updates are included, just not major version updates. A perpetual license can be used on one computer, but possibly two, depending on the software developer. New perpetual licenses are only available through resellers.
Academic Licenses
Academic licenses are for students and faculty. They are generally the same software as the full version, however, they often can’t be upgraded.
Lab License
Licenses for multiple computers, as in a classroom or computer lab.
iLok Licenses
Pro Tools uses iLok, a license management system for audio plug-ins. It allows you to carry your license between computers, not to mention iLok protects your audio software from piracy. iLok uses a USB device, aka dongle, or the iLok cloud.
For individual Pro Tools licenses, you need one USB dongle per license. For Educational multi-seat licenses, one iLok dongle is required for the entire network.