You pay a one-time fee, you typically get a license to use that software on One Computer. The benefit of subscriptions is that they typically are more generous

You pay a one-time fee, you typically get a license to use that software on One Computer. The benefit of subscriptions is that they typically are more generous with allowing you to use their services on multiple devices (perhaps not simultaneously). I would say it's similar to saying "I bought Star Wars on VHS, therefor I should get he HD version for free"