IDA Pro 9 Switches to Subscriptions
This release is amplified with new disassemblers and decompilers, such as the RISC-V decompiler, the disassembler support of T-Head instruction set for the XUANTIE-RV architecture, the nanoMIPS decompiler and disassembler, and the Web Assembly (WASM) disassembler.
The latest version of the Interactive Disassembler (IDA) software introduces a unified licensing model, allowing users to operate a single license across Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.
Also, there are no more perpetual licenses, only subscriptions. The home version (2 cloud-based decompilers) is $365/year, while the Pro Expert 2 version (2 local decompilers) is $2,999/year.
In light of recent changes to the IDA license model my training courses will be adjusted to fully support Ghidra scripting within the next 12 months. Existing IDA 8.x scripts will not be ported to IDA 9.
No idea what happens to the free version but for pay versions will become a yearly subscription that actually expires one month after it runs out. IDA will stop working then. Furthermore the subscription with 2 decompilers will cost nearly double what I pay now for 4 dexompiers
And it seems like they are reneging, in that if you had recently purchased a perpetual license for version 8, you were supposed to get free updates for a year. Instead, they are giving access to version 9 for a year, but then it stops working and you have to go back to version 8 or sign up for a subscription.
Previously:
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Not sorry to see the move on over to *hidra. We need more researchers, not fewer, and while I get that there's a lot of research in disassembly/decompilation, at this point we really need this stuff to be out there.
Bummer. Looks like I won't be renewing either.
Did HexRays get a new CEO or why are they crashing their product line into the ground?
Me neither, but I can't say I look forwards to learning Ghidra either (a Java behemoth with a pretty clunky UI). Its source code was interesting to look at though.
I remember reading not too long ago that HexRays had been acquired by some venture capital entity. VC groups are known for raising prices and cutting staff so I suspect the higher prices and subscription garbage is an artifact of that change.
I definitely won't be enrolling in any subscription/non-perpetual license offering for IDA.
I've haven't tried Ghidra yet, but have colleagues and friends who have good things to say about it. I do like the open source aspect, but like you don't care for JavaVM.
I'm sure a we'll live :)
How unfortunate.
I've used IDA for nearly 30 years and would prefer to continue supporting its research and development, but I absolutely cannot bring myself to pay for time limited/subscription software.
It's strange HexRays is taking this route. Literally every IDA user I interact with shares the same views, even though we purchase the annual support for upgrades.
I suppose this is just another example of a good product that has decided to come to an end.
I hate the cloud and I hate subscriptions.
IDA PRO has lost me as a customer with those two moves alone.
We're in the same boat as everyone else here.
Hopefully HexRays receives the message loud and clear: Software without perpetual license = FAIL!
At least this gives me an excuse to spend time exploring Ghidra. It looks very promising and has a great price tag :)
Our organization just announced new policy:
"IDA Pro has recently undergone major changes in the way it is licensed. These changes are not compatible with the long term support needs of our customers. Consequently, we will be transitioning to another solution. ALL requests for New, Annual Renewal/Support or Subscription IDA Pro licenses will NOT be approved. Please note: Any software that relies on IDA Pro (eg. decompilers, add-ons, etc.) as well as any professional training related to these tools will also be DENIED. Additional details will be forthcoming."
I'm almost certain we will be using Ghidra along with some in-house tools we've built.
I guess if Microsoft can jump off a cliff with Win11, why not Hex-Ray with IDA 9?
Adieu IDA!
It was fun while it lasted.
On a positive note, Ghidra appears to be a viable substitute. I'm eager to help advance their open source project.
I am preparing to launch a new business and recently discovered the HUGE SPIKE in IDA licensing fees. Moreover, the change from perpetual license to time limited subscription is very upsetting.
I've known Ghidra existed since it was first leaked, but never tried it because I already had IDA with annual support maintenance licenses.
Today I finally tried Ghidra and I am VERY IMPRESSED! It appears to do everything I need and doesn't cost a cent. Plus it's open source/Java so easy to extend/tweak functionality. In addition to the disassembler, it also includes a DECOMPILER -- for FREE!!!
Maybe IDA offers some feature that Ghidra doesn't yet have?? For my needs, Ghidra appears to be a perfect solution.
(I tested with latest release of Ghidra [11.2] using Java 8 [update 431] with OpenJDK [22.0.2+9] on Windows Server 2022)
IDA: You have been a great tool since your inception. Thank you for the many years of fond memories. Changing to subscription licenses did not make me happy, but I still thank you for providing the motivation to actually explore alternative disassembler solutions. Best of luck in your future roadmap. It has been a fun ride.
Being able to use your IDA license across any platform is a big win; a feature I have requested numerous times. Nice they finally delivered, but killing perpetual licenses will prevent me from renewing my IDA licenses.
I despise subscription software -- not because I'm cheap, but because it removes my control to use that software at a later date when the vendor decides to change or remove features that I need.
Happy to see support building for Ghidra. It is a nice tool and wonderful to have alternatives to turn to.
The only reason I renew support annually is for the upgrades.
Would definitely be peeved to shell out the cash and learn I'm not eligible for the v9 upgrade.
Not having the license married to a single platform is an improvement but not at the expense of killing the perpetual license.
Software as a Service/subscription software has never been for me. I won't be "upgrading" to IDA 9.
The ability to choose one's platform is also becoming increasingly important. In past decades, Windows was hands-down my preferred platform. With increasing MS nonsense like "Recall" and "Copilot", .... my main driver has shifted to Linux.
IDA has been a great tool over the years but it should really be lowering prices/not crippling licenses for its paying users. Alas, to each their own.
My money (errr... time/code contributions) are on Ghidra's future.
I was fine with IDA's prior license model: pay $$$$ for the initial license and pay $$$ for annual renewals that include updates/upgrades as they are released.
Vendors that artificially cripple/block software functionality when a customer doesn't renew is what doesn't set well with me. That type of behavior usually surfaces when a vendor is too lazy to publish an actual upgrade that includes real features and enhancements.
I hope IDA ditches the subscription mess and returns to their prior license model before my renewal time. I will not purchase subscription software.
Subscription software sucks.
I don't mind purchasing IDA licenses/annual renewals for my employees, but those licenses MUST be perpetual. If I need to reverse old software, IDA licenses that I purchased years ago had better still work. Anything that stops working is garbage because it won't work when you need it.
Agreed @Andre Moree
Same issue here. The latest version of IDA isn't going to run in a Win95 VM. Thankfully, those ancient versions of IDA that were designed for Win95 do still work.
Twenty years from now I would be screaming because the future "latest version of IDA" would be "too new" to support ancient Win10/11 and the v9 of IDA (at that point considered ancient) would be have been timed out/expired/not supported/not installable for years.
The subscription path leads to extinction. If Hex ray doesn't wake up fast, I'll be going the Ghidra path as well.
RE tools come and go.
Remember HIEW, SoftICE, WDASM, KernPop, ... from yesteryear? Aside from nostalgia, we rarely reflect on those legacy tools that were top notch for their time.
IDAPro had a good run.
It is extraordinary difficult to compete with free, especially with Ghidra being both free and open.
S-ice ruled until Numega sold out. I still don't miss Win95 or 16bit asm :-P
Replacing perpetual licenses with subscriptions is a mistake by IDA Mgmt. Maybe they want to focus soley on govt or bulk license holders?
Ignoring mid/small businesses and individuals is a recipe for failure.
We also won't renew until perpetual is restored.
If there is no change Ghidra will eat them for breakfast. The dragon may soon eat them even if there is no change.
Et tu, IDA?
It's disheartening to see yet another useful tool heading down the path of obsolescence.
Perhaps they will reverse course back to perpetual licensing before it is too late? I'll wait a few months for them to register with reality before we migrate everything to Ghidra.
BTW, Ghidra is also a very powerful tool. It will be a shame if we lose IDA but Ghidra is ready to take over.
Just saw the new IDA9 on Hexrays site. It looks cool but the license policy changes are an immediate hangup for me too.
A cheaper (monthly? weekly?) subscription option may be attractive for sporadic or light-use introductory users?
But as a paid professional tool, my business absolutely requires unlimited use perpetual licenses.
Until the license policy is ammended, we won't be upgrading to IDA9. If ammending is not possible (or takes too long) we will also be pushing full steam ahead with migrating everything fully to Ghidra.
I really prefer to have both tools, but if that is not an option, Ghidra is fine.
