As a longtime user of Native Instruments products, having invested in Komplete since Ultimate 6 and upgrading through the years, I feel compelled to express my frustration and concern over the current state of NI’s upgrade model. I am not alone in this—many users have voiced similar dissatisfaction, yet nothing seems to change.
The core issue is simple: the value proposition for long-term users is diminishing. Each time an upgrade rolls around, we are asked to spend upwards of $400 for what amounts to a handful of new instruments, minor improvements, and a lot of recycled content. The reality is, much of what’s being offered as an “upgrade” could be replicated by purchasing a couple of high-quality third-party sample libraries—at a fraction of the cost.
More frustrating is NI’s lack of consideration for previous purchases. today I considered buying the guitar rig upgrade but If I buy a standalone product like Guitar Rig today, I will still be charged for it again in the next Komplete bundle, with no concession for already owning it. This forces users into a cycle of unnecessary repurchasing, which feels exploitative rather than customer-friendly. If Native Instruments truly valued its loyal user base, it would introduce a system that accounts for individual purchases and offers dynamic, fairer upgrade pricing.
Instead I opted to by doom by line 6 and NAM giving away pro-level amp modeling for free which is updated daily .
Additionally, the innovation gap is glaring. Kontakt 8’s loop manipulation engine? Hardly groundbreaking in 2025. Guitar Rig 7? Not exactly revolutionary when open-source alternatives like NAM (Neural Amp Modeler) offer incredible amp modeling for free. What used to be industry-leading innovation is now starting to feel like a subscription model in disguise, where users are being charged just to maintain access to a slightly updated version of what they already own.
So, NI, here’s the challenge: Lift your game.
- Offer genuinely new and innovative tools that justify an upgrade—not just minor refinements.
- Introduce a fair upgrade path that takes into account previously purchased standalone products.
- Stop re-selling the same content under the guise of a full upgrade.
- Reward long-term users instead of making them feel like they’re just being milked for cash.
On top of this, NI has repeatedly abandoned once-promoted hardware, leaving loyal customers stranded. Maschine 1 users, for example, have seen their devices left behind without further software support, despite their significant investment. Likewise, Rig Kontrol—once a flagship controller for Guitar Rig—was discarded with no real effort to provide an upgrade path. This disregard for long-term users who invested in NI’s ecosystem adds to the frustration and erodes trust in the company’s commitment to its customer base.
I am speaking up because I love NI’s products and want to see the company return to the innovative, forward-thinking mindset that made it the powerhouse it once was. But right now, NI is resting on its past successes while competitors are moving forward. It’s time to evolve.
I wish the community and management seriously consider these concerns and open a dialogue on how Native Instruments can better serve its dedicated users
Sincerely,
A Frustrated Yet Hopeful Longtime User
