Autodesk has announced a significant update to Autodesk Platform Services (APS), introducing a more flexible and transparent model for accessing its cloud APIs. The move aims to support innovators across design and manufacturing industries as workflows become increasingly connected and AI-driven.
The updated model responds to growing customer demand for greater control, predictability, and scalability in how cloud-based tools are accessed and paid for. Autodesk first outlined this vision during AU 2025 and its Platform Leadership Forum, positioning the change as part of a broader shift toward next-generation digital workflows.
Expanded access with no-cost experimentation
Under the new APS model, Autodesk customers can now experiment with cloud APIs up to defined monthly limits at no additional cost. This allows teams to explore and validate API-driven workflows before committing to larger-scale implementations.
Standard usage remains supported through a Free tier, enabling customers to power common workflows without changing existing access patterns.
Flexible payment options for scaled usage
For organizations requiring higher API usage, Autodesk has introduced a Paid tier offering two flexible payment options:
- Prepaid access using Flex tokens
- Pay-as-you-go pricing with no upfront commitment
This approach allows customers to scale usage according to project demands while maintaining predictable costs.
Enhanced visibility and user control
The updated APS offering also includes improved analytics and management tools. Customers gain access to usage dashboards, consumption tracking, and user-management capabilities, helping teams monitor and optimize API usage more effectively.
These tools are designed to provide greater transparency while supporting governance and cost control across complex organizations.
Supporting future AI-driven workflows
Autodesk says the new model lays the groundwork for agentic and “describe-and-do” workflows, where automation and AI play a larger role in turning ideas into executable actions. The company emphasizes that flexible API access is essential for supporting emerging intelligent systems and future development environments.
Ongoing commitment to platform innovation
Autodesk described the new APS access model as the beginning of a broader evolution of its platform ecosystem. As customer needs and project priorities change, the company plans to continue expanding its API capabilities and refining access models to support innovation at scale.
With this update, Autodesk aims to give customers the confidence to explore, scale, and innovate — while maintaining flexibility, transparency, and control over how cloud services are used.
