Subscription-based licensing

JetBrains uses two main licensing models: subscription-based and perpetual with an upgrade subscription. The applicable model depends on the product. To learn which licensing options are available for your product, visit the product’s page on the JetBrains website.

Subscription-based licensing

With this model, you pay monthly or annually to access the software's full feature set and its updates. Since November 2, 2015, this model applies to most JetBrains products, including all IDEs and .NET tools.

Key features

• Flexible billing: Choose between monthly and annual subscriptions.
• Always up to date: Active subscriptions allow access to the latest product versions.
• Perpetual fallback license: After 12 consecutive months of uninterrupted subscription, you get a perpetual license that lets you use a specific version of the product even if you cancel your subscription.
• Continuity discount for personal subscriptions: save up to 40% off the subscription price simply by renewing.

Free access to core features in PyCharm and IntelliJ IDEA

Starting with the release of PyCharm v.2025.1 and IntelliJ IDEA v.2025.2, you have the option to switch to the free feature sets in these IDEs after your trial or subscription ends. This way, even without a paid subscription, you still have access to your existing projects and core IDE features. 

If you have a PyCharm or IntelliJ IDEA perpetual fallback license, you can continue using the full feature set without updating your IDE or switch to the free software. Unlike the perpetual fallback license, the license with the free feature set allows you to update your IDE and enjoy the free core features available in the latest version.

	Switch to free core features	Perpetual fallback license
Access to your projects	✓	✓
IDE updates	✓	✕
Availability	PyCharm and IntelliJ IDEA	All IDEs and .NET tools
Access to features	Free core feature set	Full paid feature set

Perpetual licensing with an upgrade subscription

This hybrid model includes a perpetual license and an upgrade subscription, which can optionally be renewed after it expires. It applies to some of JetBrains' on-premises team tools, such as YouTrack Server and TeamCity On-Premises.

Here’s how it works:

• When you first purchase your subscription, you get a perpetual license and upgrade coverage for one year.
• The perpetual license allows you to use a specific version of the product indefinitely.
• You can update your product to any version released during the validity of your subscription.
• Once the subscription expires, you won’t have access to newer versions. To maintain access to updates and support, you’ll need to renew your subscription.

Legacy perpetual model (no longer in use)

Before adopting the subscription-based model on November 2, 2015, JetBrains offered perpetual licenses. Here’s how they worked:

• You paid once for a license that allowed indefinite use of a specific version of the product.
• To access a newer version, you had to pay an upgrade fee.

JetBrains no longer offers perpetual licensing for any of the products.

Which licensing model applies to my product?

Most JetBrains products use the subscription model. This includes all IDEs, .NET tools, and cloud solutions. Some of the on-premises solutions, such as YouTrack Server or TeamCity On-Premises, offer perpetual licensing with upgrade subscriptions.

To learn which licensing options are available for your product, visit the product’s page on the JetBrains website.