Autodesk Flex Tokens are a token-based pay-as-you-go licensing model that lets you pre-purchase tokens and redeem them for daily access to Autodesk software. Each time an authorised user opens a Flex-eligible product, a set number of tokens is consumed for a 24-hour period (for example, AutoCAD consumes 7 tokens/day, Revit 10 tokens/day, etc.). Because you only pay for the software on the days you use it, Flex tokens offer a flexible, cost-effective option for occasional or part-time Autodesk users. In other words, rather than committing to an annual subscription, you can use Flex tokens to access Autodesk tools on-demand (even for just a few hours) and save money compared to a full license.
How Autodesk Flex Tokens Work
Autodesk Flex tokens are consumed on a per-product, per-day basis. To use them, you typically follow these steps:
Buy tokens. Purchase a block of Autodesk Flex tokens through Autodesk or an authorised reseller. Larger token packages have a lower cost-per-token. (Note: tokens expire after one year if unused.)
Set up your Flex team. In the Autodesk Account portal, go to User Management > By Product, select Flex, and assign the purchased tokens to your Flex team.
Assign users and products. Invite or select the users who should access Flex licenses, and assign them the specific Autodesk products they need (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit).
Use software to consume tokens. Users simply launch the Autodesk software. Each 24-hour session of using the product consumes the product’s daily token rate. As Autodesk explains, you “use tokens each day a product is open; close a product to stop token use”. For example, if a user runs AutoCAD all day, 7 tokens will be deducted for that day; if they close AutoCAD before 24 hours, the tokens stop consuming that day.
Track usage. Administrators can monitor token consumption and team activity through the Autodesk Account reporting tools. Autodesk provides usage reports so you can track spending and optimise token use.
Who Should Use Flex Tokens?
Autodesk Flex tokens are ideally suited for occasional and part-time users of Autodesk software. This includes:
Occasional CAD users and hobbyists. Individuals or teams who only need to run Autodesk tools intermittently (for example, a consulting engineer or student using software a few days a month) can pay only for the days they use the software.
Short-term projects or trials. Organisations starting a new project or evaluating a tool can use Flex to grant temporary access without a long-term subscription. The Quadra Solutions site notes Flex tokens are “flexible and cost-effective” for “temporary access”.
Supplementing existing licenses. A company might combine traditional subscriptions for full-time staff with Flex tokens for occasional use by others (e.g. bringing on contract designers or enabling staff to try different software).
In general, Flex tokens make sense whenever usage is light or unpredictable. Autodesk itself says Flex is “a great option for … individuals who want to try a product or only need occasional access”. If someone only uses AutoCAD or Revit a few days each month instead of full-time, Flex can be much more economical than a one-year seat.
Benefits and Considerations
Benefits:
Cost savings for infrequent use. Because you only pay for days used, Flex can be cheaper than subscriptions if software use is low. For example, buying 500 Flex tokens for occasional AutoCAD use is less than the annual subscription cost.
Product flexibility. Tokens work across many Autodesk products. Your team can use the same token pool for AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, etc., as needed. You simply assign which products each user can access.
Scalability. You can adjust the number of tokens you buy each year based on budget and needs. Unused tokens roll over (until expiration) so you pre-pay only for what you think you’ll use.
Considerations:
Planning required. Because tokens expire after one year with no refund, it’s important to estimate usage accurately. Autodesk recommends analysing how often people will open the software, since an open session consumes tokens whether the user is actively working or not.
Not for heavy users. For frequent users (e.g. using software nearly every workday), a full annual subscription may be more cost-effective. In fact, studies show Flex is only cheaper than a subscription if total usage is about one-third or less of the year’s workdays.
Manage idle time. Users must remember to close software when not in use. Autodesk explicitly notes that if a product is left open, tokens will continue to be consumed for idle time. Proper user training or monitoring is important to avoid unexpected token burn.
Choosing Flex vs Subscription
Autodesk Flex tokens complement – rather than replace – subscriptions. They give businesses and individuals on-demand access without a long-term commitment. For example, a design studio could maintain permanent Revit seats for daily users but also buy Flex tokens to let other employees open Revit or 3ds Max occasionally. As one industry article notes, the hybrid approach of using subscriptions for core users and Flex for occasional needs can optimise costs.
In summary, Flex tokens shine when your Autodesk use is sporadic. They provide immediate access to licensed software at a known daily rate (token cost) without up-front subscription fees. Companies should evaluate their usage patterns: if an engineer uses AutoCAD only a few days a month, Flex likely saves money. If usage is high (nearly full-time), a standard subscription is better value.
Autodesk Training Courses
If you’re using Autodesk software (via Flex tokens or subscription), getting trained can boost productivity.
At Quadra Solutions we offer official Autodesk training courses covering all major products (AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, etc.). Our courses are led by industry experts and have received over 900 five-star reviews. Whether you’re new to CAD or need advanced skills, our courses can help you make the most of your Autodesk tools – including those accessed via Flex.
For more information, visit our Autodesk training page or contact our experts to discuss Flex tokens and courses. We can help you estimate token needs, set up your Flex team, and train your users to get up to speed efficiently.
For more information please contact us today!