If you own an older version (like SilverFast 8), you are likely eligible for a heavily discounted upgrade price.

LaserSoft Imaging (the developer) frequently releases updates to support new operating systems like macOS Sonoma or Windows 11. Cracked versions cannot be updated, meaning they often stop working after a system update.

If you are a student or teacher involved in photography or digital arts, you may qualify for academic pricing. Conclusion

SilverFast communicates directly with your scanner’s firmware. A cracked version may lack the necessary drivers or contain bugs that could lead to mechanical errors or "bricking" your expensive hardware.