Migrating from Axis Camera Station 5 to Axis Camera Station Pro
Axis has implemented a major change to its ACS licensing model, and you'll notice it quickly.
The ACS licensing model will change on December 1st. If you're using ACS 5, this will have immediate effects.
From lifetime license → subscription
ACS 5: lifetime license (no mandatory annual contract)
ACS Pro (ACS 6): annual or 5-year licenses only
Important: a 5-year ACS Pro license costs roughly the same as the old ACS 5 lifetime license.
Axis is developing ACS Pro with advanced, AI-driven search features such as Smart Search with pre-classified objects and free-text queries that also apply to access control and numerous other workflows.
Because ACS Pro is continually expanding with new features, integrations, and security updates, a subscription model fits better than a one-time lifetime license.
Remote access stops for ACS 5
From December 1, 2025, the mobile Axis app will no longer work with ACS 5.
That means:
- no remote live view
- no remote playback
- no remote push notifications
- no remote health monitoring
Only the local client will continue to work.
Remote access is therefore the “trigger” that makes the migration urgent.
Gratis 5 jaar ACS Pro licentie → tot 1 maart 2026
Any ACS 5 license can be converted free of charge to a 5-year ACS Pro license until March 1, 2026.
After March 1, 2026, this will be chargeable; pricing is not yet known.
Can I continue using ACS 5?
Yes, locally
but with serious limitations:
| Limitation | Impact |
| New Axis cameras only work on ACS Pro | ACS 5 “freezes” your ecosystem |
| Support ends on September 30, 2027 | After 2027, no reinstallation or migration will be possible |
| Remote access stops on December 1, 2025 | Mobile support effectively gone within 1 month |
In short:
This makes ACS 5 functionally end-of-life.
Conclusion for every ACS 5 user
The question isn’t whether you should migrate to ACS Pro.
The only question is: when.
The rational choice is actually simple:
- If you need remote access → migrate before December 1, 2025
- If you want a free 5-year Pro license → migrate before March 1, 2026
Postponing = paying later.
Read the full official migration instructions.
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