Linux is promoted as a free and open-source operating system, a promise that has been upheld for many years and continues to this day. AMD seemed to be following Linux’s path towards open source and allowing free downloads of tools and technologies. However, this has now changed, and AMD has decided to replace Vivado’s licensing system, meaning the free version will only remain on Windows, but not on Linux. This leaves users with no other option than to pay a hefty sum if they don’t want to be left with obsolete software.
We all know AMD as the company behind processors and graphics cards for desktops, laptops, workstations, and data centers. While this is their main business, the company is involved in AI, and we are gradually seeing how this is providing more benefits, although it doesn’t reach NVIDIA’s level. AMD also develops its own technologies, such as FSR, which is a competitor to DLSS. Unlike DLSS, FSR is compatible with other graphics cards and is open source.
AMD Changes Vivado Licensing System, Leaving Linux Without Free Version
The idea of having open source in a technology or tool allows for contributors and, in general, a community of users behind updates and improvements. This was the case with FSR until version FSR 4, where AMD decided it would only work on RX 9000 (later adding support for RX 7000 and 6000), making it less open than before. AMD has now made another such change, but more extreme, as it has decided to use a tiered licensing system for Vivado, making this previously free tool no longer free on Linux.
Vivado is a suite of design tools from AMD used for its adaptive FPGAs and SoCs. While it was always free on Windows and Linux, the latter operating system is now excluded. As can be seen, Windows continues to maintain the free version alongside subscriptions, but Linux is left only with subscriptions. Starting with version 2026.1, AMD has transitioned to this new tiered licensing model, leaving the free version for Windows while on Linux, you will have to pay between $1,200 and $1,800 per year, at a minimum.
AMD Offers No Other Options: Version 2025.2 is the Last Free One, But Support Will Cease Soon
Although Vivado is used more as a niche tool and doesn’t affect the average Linux user, it remains a very concerning development, as it demonstrates a shift in a company that had been so in favor of freedom and free open source. Of course, this tool is not open source itself, but it has left users with no options. To make matters worse, when this measure was criticized on the forum, the moderator named Anatoli Curran stated that users are free not to subscribe and can stick with version 2025.2.
The problem is that this version will lose support once Vivado 2026.3 is launched, so in the long run, they will have to end up paying, and there are no other options. On the other hand, he confessed that 70% of Vivado users are on Windows, which was not a justification for this decision. Users complained that AMD is ignoring the Linux community and prioritizing a monetization system over trust, which damages the company’s reputation.
