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One of the most common reasons users contact support is confusion about how Nicepage licensing works.

A typical situation looks as follows.

  • Premium features suddenly vanish
  • The editor reverts to the Starter Plan.
  • Blocks cannot be added anymore.
  • Export becomes unavailable.
  • Custom domain stops working.
  • Online Builder no longer has premium access.

Many users think this is a bug. In reality, it usually happens because of the difference between a Lifetime License and a Subscription. This Guide explains how both models work, why features may become limited over time, and what to check before updating Nicepage.

You can compare plans and included services on the pricing page. For more details, please refer to General FAQ.

Difference Between License and Subscription

The confusion usually starts because both plans provide premium access, but they work differently over time.

Lifetime License

A Lifetime License is a one-time purchase. It gives permanent access to the Nicepage version released during your active update period.

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What It Means

  • The license itself does not expire
  • Desktop application continues working permanently
  • Plugins for WP and Joomla continue working with supported versions
  • You can keep using the version available during your license period

IMPORTANT!

The Lifetime License applies only to Nicepage Desktop, the WordPress plugin, and the Joomla plugin. The Online Builder always runs on the latest available version of Nicepage.

Updates, Website Hosting and Online Services

Lifetime plans include 1 year of updates, 1 year of website hosting, and 1 year of online services. After that period ends, your existing version still works, but newer released versions are no longer available with premium features.

Subscription

A Subscription is an annual premium access plan.

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What It Means

  • Premium features stay active while the subscription is active
  • Updates are always included
  • Online Builder always stays premium during the subscription period

When the subscription expires, all Nicepage Editors switch to the Starter Plan, premium tools become unavailable, and premium online services stop working.

Problem 1: Premium Features Suddenly Disappear

Many users open Nicepage one day and notice that premium blocks, export, fonts, or other features are no longer available.
In most cases, it happens after:
* installing a newer Nicepage version outside the active update period
* subscription expiration
* opening projects in unsupported versions
* trying to add templates or blocks that were released after the end of the active update period for a Lifetime License

IMPORTANT!

With a Lifetime License, versions from your included updates for the year will continue to work forever. With a Subscription, premium access stays active only while you're subscribed.

Problem 2: Desktop Works, but Online Builder Does Not

Some users notice that the Desktop app still works normally, but the Online Builder suddenly becomes limited or switches to Starter functionality.

It happens because the Online Builder always works on the latest Nicepage version. If your update period expired, the Online Builder may no longer match your licensed version access.

Solution

Continue using the supported desktop version. Users with a Lifetime License often continue working normally inside the Desktop using the version released during their update period.

Problem 3: Hosting, Domains, or Forms Stop Working

Another frequent issue is when the Nicepage services suddenly stop working.

It means you might have issues with:
* custom domains
* form submissions
* email sending
* Google Sheets integration
* calendar integrations
* hosting-related features

It usually happens because online services are included only during an active Subscription plan or active license update period.

Solution

Check whether your online services or update period are still active. All online services and limitations are described in the pricing table.
Learn more about assigning custom domain and publish sites.

Problem 4: Nicepage Desktop Switched to Starter Plan After Update

After updating to a newer version, the editor may suddenly behave as if it were on the Starter plan.

  • Premium tools become unavailable
  • You can't add new blocks
  • The export becomes limited
  • The application asks for an upgrade

It is one of the most common situations for Lifetime License users. Updating Nicepage after your update period has ended might push the app back into Starter mode, with its limitations.

Solution

In most cases, users have to reinstall the latest version covered by their update period. It usually restores premium functionality.

IMPORTANT!

Launching projects in newer versions can sometimes break compatibility with older ones. Make sure to create backups before you update.

Users with a Lifetime License can also turn off the Auto-update option in the Desktop application settings to stay on a stable, supported version.

Problem 5: Old Project No Longer Opens in Previous Version

Going back to an older Nicepage build might break compatibility with your project. Newer versions automatically overhaul the project's file structure, so the older software won't be able to parse it.
After that, older versions may no longer fully support the project file.

Solution

Always Create Backup Copies. Before updating Nicepage, it is recommended to create backup copies of your projects. Enable the Backup on Update option in the Application Preferences to automatically create backups before updates.

It is especially important for Lifetime License users who want to stay on older supported versions. For Online projects, you can export backups and later import them into Nicepage Desktop if needed.

Please read more about how to backup or import projects.

Problem 6: Upgrade Confusion or Renewal

Another common source of confusion happens during purchase, renewal, or upgrade. Nicepage allows you to switch from a Lifetime License to a Subscription using the green switcher in the pricing table on the premium page. Some users accidentally purchase a different licensing model than they originally intended.

IMPORTANT!

After conversion, the original lifetime model no longer works, and access switches to subscription rules instead.

Solution

Before you buy, renew, or upgrade, make sure to do the following.

  • double-check that you're picking a License or a Subscription
  • Take a quick look at what's included and how renewals work
  • See exactly how updates and Online Builder access work for the plan you chose

Spending just an extra minute at checkout is all it takes to prevent licensing mix-ups later.

Plan Levels

Nicepage offers several plan editions. Just choose the one that matches your project size and workflow needs.
Overview page: https://nicepage.com/pricing

The Starter plan is a free option designed to help you get familiar with the platform, start building simple websites, and publish them. It comes with basic limits, such as a small number of projects and a restricted number of pages per project, HTML export in the Desktop app. You cannot connect a custom domain. It is primarily intended to help you learn how the builder works.

The Personal plan is created for smaller websites and simpler workflows. It allows you to work on a limited number of projects and publish a limited number of hosted websites. This plan includes the core website building tools needed to create a functional personal site without advanced business features.

The Business plan is built for larger websites and commercial use. It gives you more project capacity and e-commerce features for building online stores and more complex websites. It also increases the number of hosted websites you can publish, making it suitable for growing businesses.

The Pro and Ultimate plans are designed for advanced users, agencies, ecommerce projects, and client-based work. Using these plans, you get client licenses, white-label options, expanded e-commerce capabilities, and higher hosting capacity. They are meant for users who need more flexibility, scalability, and control over multiple projects.

Important Things Many Users Miss

Client Licenses Are Not Desktop Licenses.
Client licenses allow content editing through supported CMS integrations.
They are not separate Desktop application accounts.

One Account Can Be Used on Two Devices
Nicepage licenses are connected to the account. Typically, users can work on desktop computers and laptops. But not simultaneously on both devices.

Best Practices Before Updating Nicepage

1. Make sure your update period is still valid. It's especially critical for Lifetime License users.
2. Export backups before major updates. Always keep older copies of important projects.
3. Disable auto-updates if necessary. Especially if you prefer to stay on a stable, supported version.
4. Make sure you understand what features require online services. Hosting and integrations may not be treated the same way as Desktop access.

Final Thoughts

Most users get confused about Nicepage licensing because they expect the Lifetime License and Subscription plans to work the same way. But they follow different update and access models.

Knowing these few things will help avoid unexpected restrictions later:

  • How updates work.
  • How online services work.
  • What happens after expiration?
  • How different versions interact with each other.

Always check your plan type and update status before upgrading Nicepage.