Solidworks ALC vs YLC
The primary difference between ALC and YLC lies in ownership. ALC is a maintenance fee for software you already "own" (perpetual), whereas YLC is a rental fee for software you are "leasing" (subscription/term).
| Feature | ALC (Annual License Charge) | YLC (Yearly License Charge) |
|---|---|---|
| Model Type | Perpetual Maintenance. | Term / Subscription. |
| Ownership | You own the license forever. | You "rent" the license for one year. |
| Prerequisite | Must first pay a PLC (Primary License Charge). | No large upfront purchase required. |
| Expiry | License stays active even if you stop paying ALC. | Software stops working if you don't renew. |
| Cost Profile | High initial cost, lower long-term cost. | Low initial cost, higher long-term cost. |
ALC: Annual License Charge
Maintenance Fee: This is the recurring fee paid to keep a perpetual license (purchased via PLC) under active subscription.
Benefits: It entitles you to technical support, software upgrades (new versions), and cloud services.
Lapse Policy: If you stop paying ALC, you can still use the last version of the software you downloaded, but you lose access to support and updates.
YLC: Yearly License Charge
Term License: This is a subscription-based pricing plan where you pay for 12 months of access at a time.
All-Inclusive: The YLC typically bundles the license, maintenance, and support into a single annual fee.
Flexibility: Ideal for project-based work or growing teams. You can choose not to renew if you no longer need the seat, avoiding the "sunk cost" of a permanent purchase.
Which is better for you?
Choose ALC (Perpetual): If you plan to use the software for more than 3 years. After the 3-year mark, the combined cost of PLC + ALC is generally cheaper than paying for several years of YLC.
Choose YLC (Term): If you need to conserve cash flow upfront or only need the software for a specific project duration