Agisoft Metashape Educational License After Graduation: What Happens Next?

If you’re a student or educator using Agisoft Metashape under an educational license, you may be wondering: what happens after graduation? Can you keep using the software commercially? Do you need to upgrade? In this guide, we’ll answer the most common questions about transitioning from an academic license to a commercial one—and what your options are as you enter the professional world.

What Is the Agisoft Educational License?

The Agisoft Metashape Educational License is a discounted license intended strictly for academic use. It’s available to students, teachers, universities, and research institutions. This license offers the full feature set of Metashape Professional Edition at a lower cost but comes with strict limitations:

It cannot be used for commercial or for-profit purposes.
It is licensed to an academic user or institution only.
It often requires proof of affiliation with an accredited school or research center.

While this license is ideal for learning, research, and classroom use, it is not valid for any paid projects or consulting work.

Can You Use the License After Graduation?

The short answer is yes—but only for non-commercial use. If you keep the educational license after graduating, you may still open your old projects, test workflows, or experiment with photogrammetry techniques for personal learning. However, the moment you use Metashape for any paid work, contract, or business application, you are in violation of the license agreement.

What If You’re Starting Your Own Business?

If you’re launching a career in surveying, drone mapping, archaeology, or 3D scanning, you’ll need to switch to a commercial license. Agisoft provides upgrade options, and in some cases, partial discounts for recent graduates transitioning to professional use. The best approach is to contact Agisoft support directly and explain your situation.

How to Upgrade to a Commercial License

Go to www.agisoftmetashape.com and log in to your license portal.
Check your current license status (Node-Locked or Floating).
Contact support or sales to request an upgrade path.
Depending on your case, you may receive a discounted offer or need to purchase a full commercial license.

Keep in mind that commercial licenses can be either Node-Locked (tied to one machine) or Floating (shared among multiple users in a networked environment).

Is There a Grace Period After Graduation?

Agisoft does not specify a formal grace period. However, if your academic license remains active after graduation, you may continue using it non-commercially. For professional activities, it is expected that you obtain a proper commercial license immediately after your transition to the workforce.

What Happens If You Violate the License Terms?

Using the educational version of Metashape for commercial work is a breach of the license agreement. Potential consequences include:

Revocation of your license key.
Loss of access to updates or support.
Legal implications for license fraud or intellectual property misuse.

Many professionals mistakenly think they can use the educational license “just for one project.” However, Agisoft’s terms are strict: even one paid job requires a valid commercial license.

Tips for Recent Graduates

Export your academic projects before upgrading, so you have backups.
Check with your university—some institutions offer extended access or discount codes for alumni.
Watch for student-to-pro discounts—Agisoft occasionally offers promotions for recent grads.

Alternative Options for Budget-Conscious Users

If the full commercial license is out of your budget, consider the following:

Use Metashape Standard Edition: It’s much cheaper and still includes core features like 3D reconstruction and textured models.
Explore academic partnerships: You may still be able to collaborate with a university lab or research center that holds a license.
Try open-source alternatives: For occasional personal use, tools like Meshroom or Regard3D can fill basic needs, though they lack Metashape’s precision.

Final Thoughts

Graduation marks the beginning of your professional journey—and it’s the perfect time to upgrade your Metashape license to match your ambitions. Whether you’re freelancing or joining a firm, using the right license ensures compliance and unlocks access to updates, support, and future capabilities. Don’t let an expired educational license limit your potential. Plan your transition early and reach out to Agisoft for upgrade support.

Have questions about upgrading your license or eligibility? Visit Agisoft Support or contact their sales team for help choosing the right path forward.