Tesla Reveals FSD Subscription Numbers for the First Time

For the first time, Tesla disclosed the adoption rate of FSD, reporting a user base of 1.1 million vehicles. The disclosure appeared in Tesla’s Q4 2025 Earnings Call Investor Deck and provided the clearest look yet at FSD’s take-rate.

The Breakdown: Purchases vs. Subscriptions

Although the headline figure is 1.1 million, the breakdown shared during the Earnings Call shows that the majority purchased the package outright, whether on legacy HW3 or modern AI4 vehicles.

The total number of active FSD users is 1.1 million, and this number is global, not limited to North America.

Of that 1.1 million, approximately 70% are upfront purchases (~770,000 vehicles), while the remaining 30% (~330,000 vehicles) are on month-to-month subscriptions. Both the overall number of vehicles with FSD and the share on subscriptions are lower than many had anticipated.

This split may explain Tesla’s shift in business model. With only 30% of the user base on a recurring payment plan, Tesla generates approximately $32.6 million in monthly recurring revenue (assuming the standard $99/month rate). The remaining 70% represent one-time cash injections that were recognized upon the launch of FSD V12 in 2024 and no longer contribute to quarterly cash flow.

Accelerating Growth

Tesla provided a five-year historical view of FSD growth, showing clear acceleration in 2024 and 2025 as FSD’s capabilities advanced and the price of adoption dropped sharply.

The jump from 800k to 1.1 million in one year suggests that the price cut to $99/month and free trial campaigns in 2025 were effective at converting vehicle owners into monthly subscribers.

In April 2024, Tesla reduced the price of FSD from $12,000 to $8,000, further increasing the incentive to purchase the package.

Take-Rate Reality

Despite the milestone, penetration remains relatively low. With roughly 8.9 million Tesla vehicles delivered as of the end of 2025, a 1.1 million user base represents a take rate of approximately 12.4%.

That means nearly 88% of Tesla owners are driving hardware-capable cars without paying for FSD; this figure also includes markets where FSD isn’t available, such as Europe.

Moving to Subscription-Only

Tesla is sunsetting the option to purchase FSD for a one-time fee. Starting February 14, 2026, FSD will be available exclusively as a monthly subscription.

The move is intended to shift lump-sum sales to a more predictable recurring monthly revenue model, and it gives Tesla greater flexibility to raise prices as the software evolves, as Musk has already alluded to.

Additionally, one milestone in Elon Musk’s 2025 CEO Performance Award requires Tesla to achieve 10 million active FSD subscriptions, a goal that is likely virtually impossible under the old purchase model, even if past purchases count as lifetime subscriptions toward the Performance Award numbers.

The recent retirement of Autopilot, Tesla’s standard lane-assist software, is also likely to boost FSD adoption. As new drivers enter vehicles without Autopilot, the only way to obtain basic highway assist will be to subscribe to FSD.