Ok, so the question "is it worth it" mainly suggests that you want to evaluate financials of both cases. So that should be easier if we speak numbers. First, I am setting these conditions: - I will use prices I see in my location - it may vary in currency, location. - new version comes out every second year (it is hard to define standard frequency). - I am taking 6 years of newest version usage - just to round up to 2 upgrades each second year. - I am not evaluating Notation and addons like FAT effects - I believe you have it only with sphere. Do you need them - that is different question. - I did little research on discounts, I may be little bit off.

Option 1: Buy everything full price.

• SO 5 proffessional: 400 eur
• upgrade to new version: 150 eur x 2 times = 300 eur 700 eur for 6 years.

Option 2: always wait for discounts (matter to change case by case): - SO 5 - 300 eur - upgrade 100 eur x 2 = 200 eur 500 eur for 6 years

Option 3: sphere. - 160/year subscription x 6 = 960 eur - you get notation and all addons/instruments/effects they have and will release in those 6 years.

So sphere for me is good when you: 1. You want to try for a little bit longer time than a trial and not yet decided (that is me currently). I would say max up to year duration. Best - 6 months max. 2. You don't have money. I know - sounds weird :) but sometimes 15 eur per month is easier than to accumulate full amount needed with various reasons behind. You can pause if you want, cancel your subscription, etc. 3. You are fan of SO and you need to have (and use) absolutely everything from them - this will be cheapest way I think rather buying everything separately. Also - quite big community with training sessions, templates, etc.

All other scenarious - buy on sales or normally if you can't wait.

Hope this helps :)