In its latest investor event, Autodesk revealed a conceptual shift in how it intends to monetize its software: moving from pure access to paying for outcomes. Today, most of Autodesk’s offerings are sold via monthly or yearly subscriptions. But some products are already available via usage-based licensing, and the company now wants to introduce outcome-based pricing for its upcoming AI tools, tells Monica Schnitger on her Schnitger Corporation blog.
Take, for instance, a proposed AI assistant called Forma. Rather than charging a blanket subscription, Autodesk could charge per “preliminary design created.” This makes sense when users might not use the tool constantly, so paying per result might feel fairer. The shift also aligns with how AI agents may orchestrate multiple tools to deliver a final product, making outcome metrics a more natural billing unit.
Autodesk is already leaning toward consumption models: in fiscal 2025, 17% of its revenue came from consumption-based sources, up from 3% in 2015. The company is also considering more intrusive monetization of its APIs, bundling API credits into subscriptions and charging extra when usage exceeds limits.
This isn’t just about price structures; the change reflects Autodesk’s belief that AI will reshape design workflows. But there’s risk: if outcome pricing isn’t transparent or fair, users might balk. Autodesk needs to get pricing right to balance adoption, value, and trust.