SQLBackupAndFTP is a standalone application. Once you have purchased a license, it never expires and you can use the version you’ve purchased forever. The Full-Service subscription is a set of important, but optional services and it requires a recurring annual fee (see prices).

When you purchase a license, you get an option to buy the subscription. We highly recommend it and here’s why:

With Full-Service subscription	Without subscription
You always use the latest version. Why are automatic updates important?	You use the version you’ve purchased.
You can see your backup history online. More about the Web Log.	You can see the backup history only if you access the server.
You receive direct email support from our team.	You have to rely on the community forum for support.
Your email notifications work automatically. What are the benefits of using SQLBackupAndFTP mail servers?	You have to configure your own SMTP server.
You receive alerts if your server or backup service is down. More about Service down alerts	You won’t receive notifications if your server is down.

Are automatic updates that important?

SQLBackupAndFTP communicates with your SQL Server, MySQL, FTP, and multiple cloud storage services (Dropbox, Azure, Box, OneDrive, GoogleDrive, etc.). As these services evolve, they change their API, modify their standards, and update their security settings. To keep current with these changes, we regularly release new versions with bug fixes and improvements. During the period of your subscription, your application will be regularly and automatically updated to the latest stable and secure version. You don’t have to worry about updates, they will be downloaded and applied automatically.

To be more detailed — these are the reasons why we recommend that our customers subscribe to the auto-updates:

1. As backups protect your valuable data, we try to keep our software secure, stable, and reliable. It is crucial from your side to stay updated and to patch all discovered vulnerabilities.
2. There were cases when cloud storage services (like Dropbox,  Google Drive, Amazon, etc.) changed the way SQLBackupAndFTP communicates with them (API). We track those changes and update our product, but if you don’t have the subscription, your old version may suddenly stop working properly and your backups will not be saved.
3. We always listen to our customer’s feedback to make our software is reliable and usable. Sometimes we make dozens of different useful improvements per week, and you need to be subscribed to the updates to ensure that you are using the best version.
4. While we test our software thoroughly, in some circumstances some hidden bugs may become apparent. We always try to address these issues as soon as possible, but you need to have a valid subscription in order to receive these fixes in a timely manner.

Can I receive support if I don’t have a subscription?

Yes. If your subscription has expired, you can still search our community forum for a solution and ask questions there. But in this case, we cannot guarantee prompt replies.
If your business relies on backups, you want to make sure that your questions are answered promptly, which is possible only with an active subscription.

What are the benefits of using SQLBackupAndFTP mail servers for email notifications?

Everybody likes to simply type their email address into a field and have emails delivered without any additional configuration:

With a Full-Service subscription, you can use SQLBackupAndFTP mail servers with nothing to configure and you do not need to go to email settings at all.

If you don’t have a subscription, then you would need to fill the following fields (hidden under the gear icon) to use your own mail servers for sending backup success/failure emails:

What if I opt out of the subscription during purchase?

All new customers receive a month of free subscription. So even if you don’t include a subscription with your purchase, you will still be able to receive initial support while you get acquainted with the program. You will also have access to updates during that month.

Nevertheless, we highly recommend including the subscription in your order as there is a 50% discount for the first year subscription if it is purchased along with the license.

How much does it cost?

You can find the yearly subscription fees on the Features & Prices page.