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Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Accounting Policies Accounting Policies
Description of Business
We offer a suite of tools across all major platforms from mobile, PC, and console, to extended reality (XR).
We are headquartered in San Francisco, California and have operations in the United States and various other international locations.
We market our solutions directly through our online store and field sales operations in North America, China, France, the U.K., Israel, Japan, and South Korea, and indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
We prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Unity Software Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries, and entities consolidated under the voting interest model. We have eliminated all intercompany balances and transactions. In our opinion, all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation, have been included.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. For us, these estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition, the measurement of liabilities for uncertain tax positions and deferred tax assets and liabilities, the fair value of stock-based compensation, the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests, and the useful lives of long lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to our financial position and results of operations.
We review the useful lives of assets with a finite life on a recurring basis. Effective July 1, 2025, we revised our estimate of the remaining useful life for certain intangible assets from four to seven years, down to one to three years. These assets are included in “Intangible assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets, are primarily “developed technology” within intangible assets, and primarily relate to assets arising from our acquisition of Wētā FX Limited in 2021. The shortened useful lives are due to certain assets no longer being actively developed and the absence of currently established plans for incorporation into future Unity offerings. The effect of this change in estimate for the year ended December 31, 2025, was an increase in amortization expense and decrease in operating income of approximately $77 million, an increase in net loss of approximately $61 million, and an increase in our basic and diluted net loss per share of approximately $0.15 per share.
Employee Separation and Restructuring Costs
In the year ended December 31, 2025, we incurred incremental employee separation costs of approximately $33 million, primarily within sales and marketing and research and development. In the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred incremental employee separation costs of approximately $214 million, which included $127 million of incremental stock-based compensation. Of the incremental employee separation costs we incurred in the year ended December 31, 2024, $15 million are within cost of revenue, $48 million are within research and development, $58 million are within sales and marketing, and $93 million are within general and administrative. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2025
and 2024, we incurred $14 million and $53 million, respectively, of other restructuring costs, primarily related to office closures.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to receive from our customers. Revenue excludes sales and indirect taxes. In arrangements where we have multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price ("SSP"). We generally determine SSP based on observable pricing. When observable pricing is not available, we use cost plus margin analysis to determine SSP.
Our business focuses on two complementary sets of solutions: (1) Create Solutions and (2) Grow Solutions.
Create Solutions
Create Solutions are a combination of software and services that enable customers to edit, run, and iterate interactive, real-time 2D and 3D experiences. Revenue is primarily derived from Create Solution Subscriptions, Enterprise Support, Professional services, and Consumption services.
Create Solutions subscriptions provide customers with software, embedded cloud functionality, and software updates. As the software and software updates are highly interdependent and interrelated and these services have the same pattern of performance as the embedded cloud functionality, we combine these promises and account for them as a single performance obligation that is recognized over time. Enterprise customers may purchase an enhanced support offering ("Enterprise Support") that is generally sold separately and is considered its own performance obligation. Create Solutions subscriptions and Enterprise Support typically have a term of one to five years and are billed in monthly, quarterly and annual installments, and recognized ratably over the service period.
Professional services revenue is primarily composed of consulting, platform integration, training, and custom application and workflow development. Revenue is recognized as services are rendered. We typically invoice our customers on a milestone basis or when promised services are delivered.
Our Consumption service arrangements are based on a fixed fee or usage-based model. For fixed fee arrangements revenue is recognized ratably over the contractual service term as our obligations are generally fulfilled evenly throughout the contractual period. For usage-based arrangements, we recognize revenue as services are provided.
Grow Solutions
Grow Solutions revenue primarily consists of advertising services provided through our monetization solutions that allow publishers, which include mobile application developers, original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") and mobile carriers to sell available advertising inventory on their mobile applications or hardware devices to advertisers for in-app or on-device placements. We present revenue on a net basis for sales where we are facilitating the transaction between advertisers and publishers and do not have control over in-app or on-device placement. In these cases the publisher is our customer. We present revenue on a gross basis for advertising sales where we are the publisher and have control of the in-app or on-device placement. Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time when the agreed upon action is completed or when the advertisement is displayed to users.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue for the delivery of software services, professional services, and advertising consists primarily of hosting expenses, personnel costs (including salaries, stock-based compensation, and benefits) for employees associated with our product support and professional services organizations, fees paid to mediation platforms, credit card fees, third-party license fees, payments to developers where we are the publisher, and allocated shared costs, including facilities, IT, and security costs, as well as amortization of related capitalized software costs and depreciation of related property and equipment and amortization of acquired intangible assets.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense related to our employees and non-employee directors is calculated based on the fair value on the grant date. For restricted stock units ("RSUs"), fair value is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs"), fair value is based on the closing price of our common stock on the day the performance goals are set for each tranche of the award.
The fair value of stock options and purchases made under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("2020 ESPP") is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. This model requires certain assumptions be used as inputs, such as the fair value of the underlying common stock, expected term of the option before exercise, expected volatility of our common stock, expected dividend yield, and a risk-free interest rate. Options granted during the year have a maximum contractual term of ten years. We have limited historical stock option activity and therefore estimate the expected term of stock options granted using the simplified method, which represents the average of the contractual term of the stock option and its weighted-average vesting period. The expected volatility of stock options and employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") purchases are based upon our historical volatility and the historical volatility of a number of publicly traded companies in similar industries over similar durations. We have historically not declared or paid any dividends and do not currently expect to do so in the foreseeable future. The risk-free interest rates used are based on the U.S. Department of Treasury ("U.S. Treasury") yield in effect at the time of grant for zero-coupon U.S. Treasury notes with maturities approximately equal to the expected term of the stock options and ESPP purchases.
The fair value of price-vested options ("PVOs") and price-vested units ("PVUs"), which are options and RSUs respectively, that contain both service-based and market-based vesting conditions are estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model and use inputs such as the fair value of the underlying common stock, expected term before exercise, expected volatility of our common stock, expected dividend yield, and a risk-free interest rate, modified to reflect the impact of market-based vesting conditions, including the estimated payout level based on that condition. We do not adjust compensation cost for subsequent changes in the expected outcome of the market-based vesting conditions.
We recognize stock-based compensation expense for RSUs, stock options, PVOs, PVUs, and PSUs on a straight-line basis, typically over the requisite service period of the entire award, generally, a vesting period of one to four years. We recognize stock-based compensation expense related to the 2020 ESPP on a straight-line basis over the offering period. We do not estimate forfeitures but instead account for them as they occur.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents include money market funds and time deposits.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, restricted cash was $8.5 million and $10.2 million, respectively. Restricted cash consists of secured letters of credit issued in connection with our operating leases and other amounts held in escrow. Restrictions typically lapse at the end of the lease term, and restricted cash is classified as current or non-current based on the remaining term of the restriction.
ccounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are recorded at the original invoiced amount, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts. We estimate losses on uncollectible amounts based on expected losses, including our historical experience of actual losses. The estimated losses on uncollectible amounts are recorded in general and administrative expense on our consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the allowance for uncollectible amounts was $10.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the provision for uncollectible amounts was $2.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
Credit Risk and Concentrations
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. We place our domestic and foreign cash and cash equivalents, with large, creditworthy financial institutions. Balances in these accounts may exceed federally insured limits at times.
In general, we do not require our customers to provide collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. To reduce credit risk, management performs credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, as warranted, and continually analyzes the allowance for doubtful accounts, which we maintain based upon the expected collectability of accounts receivable.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, no individual customer represented 10% or more of the aggregate receivables. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, no individual customer represented 10% or more of total revenue.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, which are required to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market in which to transact and the market-based risk. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements approximate the fair value for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, due to their short-term nature.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Our other comprehensive loss includes unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments, and foreign currency translation adjustment.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally three years for computer and other hardware and five years for furniture. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful life or the remaining term of the lease. Software licenses are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful life or license term, which is generally three to five years.
The costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred, while expenditures for refurbishments and improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized.
Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to the consolidated statement of operations.
Leases
Primarily all of our leases have been categorized as operating leases at inception. On certain of our lease agreements, we may receive rent holidays and other incentives provided by the landlord. We recognize lease costs on a straight-line basis without regard to deferred payment terms, such as rent holidays, that defer the commencement date of required payments. Additionally, incentives we receive are treated as a reduction of our costs over the term of the agreement.
We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to retire long-lived assets at the termination or expiration of a lease. Such assets are depreciated over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated retirement costs.
Convertible Senior Notes and Capped Call Transactions
We account for each issuance of the Notes as single liabilities measured at their amortized cost. Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method (which approximates the effective interest method) and are recorded in other income and expense.
We record the cost of capped call transactions as a reduction of our additional paid-in capital on our consolidated balance sheets. Capped call transactions will not be remeasured as long as they continue to meet the conditions for equity classification.
Segments
We operate as a single operating segment. The chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer, who makes resource allocation decisions and assesses performance based on financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information of our revenue. Accordingly, we have determined that we have a single reportable segment and operating segment structure. See Note 15, "Segment Information" for additional information about our reportable segment.
Capitalized Software Costs and Software Implementation Costs
We capitalize implementation costs incurred in our cloud computing service arrangements related to enterprise software solutions ("capitalized implementation costs") and costs associated with customized internal‑use software systems that have reached the application development stage. Such capitalized costs include external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the applications and payroll and payroll‑related expenses for employees, who are directly associated with the development of the applications. We capitalize such costs during the application development stage, which begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases at the point in which the project is substantially complete and is ready for its intended purpose. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life, which is generally three years. Management evaluates the useful lives of these assets on an annual basis and tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. Capitalized implementation costs are expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement, which is the fixed, non-cancellable term of the arrangement, plus any reasonably certain renewal periods.
Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment, net, on the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of capitalized software costs was $13.3 million and $33.2 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. The closing amount of capitalized software costs on the balance sheet was $40.1 million and $56.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The current portion of capitalized implementation costs are included in prepaid expenses on the consolidated balance sheets, and the non-current portion of capitalized implementation costs are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of capitalized implementation costs was not material for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The costs to develop software that is marketed externally consist of payroll and payroll related costs for employees, who are directly associated with the development of the software. We capitalize such costs when technological feasibility is established and a working model is complete through the point of general release. All costs outside of this window are charged to research and development expense. The amount of costs capitalized for software developed for external use was not material for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Impairment Analysis
We evaluate intangible assets and other long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. This includes but is not limited to significant adverse changes in business climate, market conditions, or other events that indicate an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these
assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the undiscounted cash flows used in the test for recoverability are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value.
We evaluate and test the recoverability of our goodwill for impairment at least annually during our fourth quarter of each calendar year or more often if and when circumstances indicate that goodwill may not be recoverable.
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, we recorded $3.8 million and $16.2 million of impairment charges on operating lease assets, respectively, and during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 we recorded $5.9 million and $22.8 million of impairment charges on property and equipment, respectively. These charges were primarily within general and administrative, and related to closures of corporate offices. The fair values of these assets were determined using active market prices. Apart from those operating lease asset, and property and equipment impairments, there were no material impairments of capitalized software costs, capitalized implementation costs, intangible assets, goodwill, or other long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and income tax assets and liabilities, including evaluating uncertainties in the application of accounting principles and complex tax laws.
We record an income tax expense (or benefit) for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Under this method, we recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as for NOL and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We recognize the deferred income tax effects of a change in tax rates in the period of the enactment.
We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the net amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. We consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income, and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.
We recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if we believe that the position is more likely than not to be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Although we believe that we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions (including net interest and penalties), we can provide no assurance that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be materially different. We make adjustments to these reserves in accordance with the income tax accounting guidance when facts and circumstances change, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will affect our income tax expense (or benefit) in the period in which such determination is made and could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.
We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included in income and other taxes payable on the consolidated balance sheets.
Translation of Foreign Currencies
The functional currency of the majority of our foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in interest and other income (expense), net, on the consolidated statements of operations for the period. For U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries, all assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange
rate on the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses denominated in a foreign currency are translated at the relevant daily exchange rates. Equity transactions denominated in a foreign currency are translated using historical exchange rates. For a foreign subsidiary where the local currency is the functional currency, adjustments to translate those statements into U.S. dollars are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Intangible assets, with the exception of certain contractual relationships, which have a finite life are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which typically range from two to six years. Certain contractual relationships are amortized using an accelerated method of amortization, which reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits from the intangible assets are expected to be recognized.
On an annual basis, we evaluate the estimated remaining useful life of acquired intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining amortization period. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we revised our estimate of the remaining useful life for certain intangible assets from four to seven years, down to one to three years. See "Use of Estimates" section earlier in this note for more details. No material changes to the useful lives of our intangible assets were deemed necessary during the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 based on management's evaluation.
Warranties and Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of business, we may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, investors, directors, officers, employees and other parties with respect to certain matters. Indemnification may include losses from our breach of such agreements, services we provide, or third-party intellectual property infringement claims. These indemnifications may survive termination of the underlying agreement, and the maximum potential amount of future indemnification payments may not be subject to a cap. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no known events or circumstances that have resulted in a material indemnification liability to us, and we did not incur material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnifications.
We generally do not offer warranties for our software products. With certain customers, we will warrant that our software products will operate without material error and/or substantially in conformity with product documentation. We have not experienced any warranty claims to date, and no liabilities have been recorded as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred as a component of sales and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Advertising expense was approximately $8.2 million, $10.1 million, and $12.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update ("ASU 2023-09") amending existing income tax disclosure guidance, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We adopted ASU 2023-09 for the year ended December 31, 2025 on a prospective basis. See Note 13 "Income Taxes" for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2024, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update ("ASU 2024-03") amending the existing disclosure requirement for expenses within Statement of Operations, primarily
requiring more disaggregated disclosure for certain costs and expenses on an annual and interim basis. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating ASU 2024-03 to determine its impact on our expense disclosures.
In July 2025, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update ("ASU 2025-05") amending the guidance around estimation of credit losses on current accounts receivable and current contract assets to allow entities to elect a practical expedient to assume that the current conditions as of the balance sheet date will remain unchanged for the remaining life of the asset when developing a reasonable and supportable forecast. ASU 2025-05 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted and should be applied on a prospective basis. We are currently evaluating ASU 2025-05 to determine its impact on our financial statements.
In September 2025, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update ("ASU 2025-06") amending existing internal-use software guidance, changing the timing and thresholds for capitalizing these software costs. ASU 2025-06 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective, modified, or retrospective basis. We are currently evaluating ASU 2025-06 to determine its impact on our financial statements.