Effective May 1, 2026, Quest Software will transition its entire product portfolio from perpetual licensing to fixed-term licenses. This marks a fundamental change in how Quest licenses are purchased, renewed, and budgeted going forward.
Summary
- Quest will no longer offer new perpetual licenses for any products
- Perpetual SKUs are removed from price lists starting in Q2 2026
- Perpetual orders after Q1 are exception-only
- Existing customers will transition at renewal from perpetual maintenance to fixed-term licenses over time
- Already-issued perpetual quotes and running offers will be honored
What is changing?
Quest is standardizing its licensing model by moving fully to fixed-term licenses. Beginning May 1, 2026, all new Quest transactions will follow a term-based structure, aligning Quest with prevailing industry licensing models. Quest will use fixed-term licensing, not necessarily subscription (billing cadence may differ).
Perpetual licenses will no longer be generally available. While existing perpetual agreements remain valid, Quest plans to transition customer renewals from perpetual maintenance to term-based licensing in the coming months.
What this means for new purchases
For new Quest deals:
- Perpetual licenses are no longer offered as a standard option
- Perpetual SKUs will disappear from official price lists with the Q2 2026 price book
- Any perpetual request after Q1 2026 requires explicit exception approval from the assigned Partner Account Manager by Quest
For most customers, fixed-term licenses become the default model for all future Quest investments.
What this means for existing customers
Existing Quest customers are not impacted retroactively:
- Active perpetual licenses remain valid
- Maintenance end dates already agreed are honored
- Ongoing perpetual quotes will not be withdrawn
However, at renewal:
- Customers should expect a shift from perpetual maintenance to fixed-term licenses
- Commercial structures, renewal timing, and budgeting models will change accordingly
This transition does not require immediate action if current license end dates are mid- or late-2026 or beyond, but it should be considered early in renewal planning.
Why Quest is making this change
Quest positions this shift to:
- Simplify portfolio management
- Align with industry-standard licensing models
- Provide clearer, more predictable licensing structures
From a customer perspective, the key change is commercial, not functional. Product capabilities and continuity are maintained, while the licensing framework becomes time-bound rather than perpetual.
What does Quest’s portfolio look like?
What organizations should do now
To avoid surprises in upcoming deals or renewals, organizations should:
- Review which Quest products are licensed perpetually today
- Identify maintenance end dates across all Quest agreements
- Factor term-based licensing into future budget planning
- Align internal stakeholders early for renewal strategy changes
- Discuss exception scenarios before Q2 2026 (as soon as possible), if needed
Ready to optimize your Quest licensing?
As a Quest licensing partner and reseller, SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT helps commercial customers:
- Assess the impact of the shift to fixed-term licensing
- Compare renewal scenarios between maintenance and term models
- Align Quest licensing with broader vendor and budget strategies
- Coordinate exception requests where justified and still possible
Contact our Quest licensing experts to review upcoming Quest renewals, assess term licensing implications, and plan your next steps with confidence. We are here and ready to help you.