Before the end of the year, Autodesk Platform Services (APS) will launch a new business model for cloud APIs, making access more flexible and predictable so you can plan with confidence as your projects grow.  The changes will impact all customers and developers using APS APIs so please read on for two critical steps you’ll need to take as this transition begins. 

APS APIs are powering more of your work than ever—driving design automation, intelligent workflows, and connected experiences. To make sure you can keep innovating with confidence, we’re introducing a new business model for cloud APIs at the end of the year. 

 

Key Takeaways 

The new model is built around three core benefits: 

• Accessibility: Ongoing access to experiment with APIs and explore the right tools for your projects, with monthly usage caps that let you try paid APIs before you scale. 
• Flexibility: Choose from payment options that align with your usage, so costs stay predictable as your needs evolve. 
• Innovation: A modernized way to access and pay for APIs that lays the foundation for Agentic AI and model context protocol servers (MCPs), enabling “describe-and-do” workflows of the future. 

With a simple, two-tier access structure the new business model is designed to give you transparency into API usage, predictable costs, and the ability to adapt as your projects grow. 

To continue using APS APIs once the new model launches, you’ll need to take two key actions: 

• Choose an offering under the new two-tier model: Free or Paid. Most APS API users will start in Free. If your needs go beyond the usage caps for paid APIs in the Free tier, you can move to a Paid option. More information about each offering is detailed below. 
• Set up and migrate your apps to a developer hub. This ensures your API usage is tracked correctly and billing applies to the right team. 

You'll have a two-week window after rollout to complete these steps. If they aren’t completed, your API access will be suspended until you’ve enrolled in an offer and migrated your apps. You can also prepare now by purchasing Flex tokens for paid APIs and setting up a developer hub in advance of the launch. 

Here is a closer look at what’s changing and what to expect before the end of the year.

 

A new two-tier business model 

APS is moving to a simpler business model with two tiers of access: Free and Paid. The new model makes it easy to try our APIs, track your activity, and pay only when your needs grow. 

Free tier 

The Free tier provides monthly access to cloud APIs. This offering is ideal for developers to test, learn, and build proofs of concept (POCs) and for customers with product subscriptions to access their product APIs. It gives you a way to start experimenting while gaining visibility into usage.  

Paid tier  

If your usage needs go beyond the Free tier, you can move to the Paid tier and choose from two payment options: 

 

Cloud credits transition: By the end of this year, APS will also stop accepting cloud credits as payment and will officially transition to Flex. To avoid disruption and maintain access to APS APIs, you’ll need to purchase Flex tokens. If you need support during this transition, please reach out to our client services team.  

 

Paid API Pricing Under New Model  

APS cloud APIs will move to the new business model at the end of the year, including the four existing paid APIs: Automation API, Model Derivative API, Flow Graph Engine API, and Reality Capture API. Each paid API will include a limited amount of usage every month within the Free tier, with the option to purchase a Paid tier offering if more usage is needed. In addition, pricing for the Model Derivative API and Automation API for Revit, AutoCAD, and Inventor will increase to better reflect the value they provide. Some activities that were previously free will now be billed. See the chart below for a breakdown of the new pricing.  

All other APS APIs will not be rated (charged for use) in the December launch. You can view a full list of non-rated (free) APS APIs here.

 

Your path forward with APS 

To ensure continuity, make sure you sign up for an offer that fits your needs and that your apps have been moved to a developer hub once the new model launches. You will have a two-week window after rollout to complete these steps, but you can also act early by purchasing Flex tokens for paid APIs moving to the new model and migrating apps to a hub to help ensure a seamless transition.   

Support is available throughout this transition. You’ll find resources on the APS Get Help page, including documentation, GitHub repos, and Stack Overflow resources. Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) members can also access one-on-one support through their membership. 

 

Get the details in an upcoming webinar

To further assist you in these changes we will be hosting 4 webinars that will cover an overview of the changes and provide a forum to ask questions. Sign up for one of the following dates and times here. 

• November 3rd 10AM CST 

• November 3rd 9PM CST 

• December 1st 10AM CST 

• December 1st 9PM CST 

 

FAQs 

We know a shift like this comes with questions. That’s why we’ve included answers below to help you understand what’s changing and what it means for your work. 

What is changing? 

Autodesk Platform Services (APS) is moving to a new business model and pricing structure: 

• All APS APIs will be offered under a new two-tier model starting in December. You must enroll in one of these offerings to continue using Autodesk Platform Service APIs.  
• There will be four APIs that are rated when the business model launches: Automation API, Model Derivative API, Flow Graph Engine API, and Reality Capture API. Each will include a limited amount of usage every month in the free tier, with the option to purchase more as needed. 
• In addition, pricing for the Model Derivative API and Automation API for Revit, AutoCAD, and Inventor will change to better reflect the value they provide.  

When will these changes go into effect?

The new business model, as well as pricing updates, will go into effect at the end of this year.

I am not using any of the paid APIs. Do I still need to sign up for an offer? 

Yes, all cloud API users will need to take action by signing up for a tiered offering when the new business model launches. If you do not plan to use any paid APIs, you will still need to acquire the Free Tier offering for your Team, set up a developer hub within that Team, then move your app to that developer hub. 

What happens if I don’t sign up for an offer? 

You will have two weeks to sign up for an offer after the change takes effect. Once that period ends, your applications will no longer work until you sign up and complete the subsequent onboarding steps. 

What do I need to do to be ready? 

Here’s how to prepare so your apps keep running smoothly: 

1. If you use any APIs that are in the Paid tier, purchase Flex tokens in advance to avoid service interruption.   
2. Review the two tiers and payment options so you are ready to sign up when the model goes live.  
3. When the new model becomes available, you’ll need to create a developer hub and migrate any existing apps to it. Instructions will be provided closer to launch.  

Is the Free tier limited in time? 

No. It’s available each month, but you must stay under the monthly usage caps for paid APIs.

What are the usage caps for paid APIs? 

You can view usage caps for paid APIs in the rate table above. 

What happens if I go over the Free tier cap? 

If you exceed the threshold on the Free tier for one of the four paid APIs (Automation API, Model Derivative API, Flow Graph Engine API, and Reality Capture API), your usage for that API will be suspended until the following month or you can opt into the Paid tier. 

When I opt into the Paid tier, do I still get free monthly usage caps for paid APIs? 

No. Once you’re on a Paid tier, usage of paid APIs is metered and billed based on actual consumption.  

Will the Free tier replace the 90 day trial for APS?  

Yes.  

How can I monitor API usage in the Free tier? 

A record of your monthly usage will be visible directly in developer hubs. 

What is a Flex token? 

Flex tokens are a unit of measurement used to access APS APIs and select Autodesk products. For example, they may be consumed when translating a file in a cloud environment. You can learn more about Flex tokens at autodesk.com/flex. 

Is there a minimum purchase for Flex tokens? 

Yes. The minimum purchase is 100 tokens. 

Do Flex tokens expire? 

Yes. Tokens expire one year from the purchase date. 

Are volume discounts available? 

Yes. Discounts are available based on how many Flex tokens you purchase. For more information on Flex tokens visit autodesk.com/flex. 

What happens if I run out of Flex tokens? 

If you’re signed up for Pay as You Go in addition to Prepay, billing continues monthly. If not, your access will be suspended until more tokens are purchased. 

How is Pay as You Go different from Prepay? 

With Prepay, you buy Flex tokens in advance, and Flex tokens are consumed as you use. With Pay as You Go, you’re billed monthly for your actual usage. 

Who is eligible for Pay as You Go? 

At launch, Pay as You Go will be available to eligible customers in select countries.*  

Can I use Pay as You Go without Flex? 

Yes. You can enroll in Pay as You Go only. 

If I have both Flex and Pay as You Go, which is used first? 

Flex tokens are always consumed first. After tokens run out, billing moves to Pay as You Go. 

*Available to eligible customers in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, European Economic Area, UK and Switzerland, paying with a credit card or PayPal, and in good standing.