License keys people can type
Short 20-character keys activate online in seconds. Activations are signed by the server and cached securely on the customer's computer, so your app keeps working through network outages.
Software licensing for developers
Turn any program into a licensed product.
Add a small SDK to your Java, C++, Python, JavaScript or Go application. Customers buy a license key on your store, type it into your app, and the features of their tier switch on — online or fully offline.
// at startup
LicenseState s = licensing.check();
// the customer types the key from their email
s = licensing.activate("7KQ2M-X9D4F-PT1RV-H63WN");
s.getStatus() → VALID
s.getTierCode() → "pro"
s.hasFeature("export") → true
s.getLimit("seats", 1) → 5Native SDKs: Java · C++ · Python · JavaScript / TypeScript · Go
Runs on: Windows · macOS · Linux
How it works
Define your product
Create a product and its tiers — for example Basic and Pro — with the features, numeric limits and values each tier unlocks. Set the trial length and whether offline activation is allowed.
Add the SDK to your app
Download the SDK for your language with your product's configuration already filled in. Your code asks
hasFeature("export")orgetLimit("seats")and the answer comes from the customer's license.Sell on your own store
Add prices and share your store link. Customers pay through Stripe, receive their key by email, and manage their licenses in your customer portal. Your share is paid out to you automatically.
Everything licensing needs, nothing it doesn't
Offline activation
For computers with no internet, your app shows a machine code. The customer enters it on your activation page and gets back a signed key that works only on that computer.
Tiers and feature flags
Name your own features and limits per tier. Change what a tier unlocks from your dashboard without shipping a new build of your software.
Free trials, no account needed
Customers start a trial right inside your app — no sign-up, one trial per computer, with the trial length you choose.
Perpetual and subscription licenses
Sell one-time licenses or subscriptions billed in fixed cycles of 30, 90, 180 or 365 days, each starting on the day the customer subscribed.
Payments and payouts
Stripe processes payments on your store with you as the seller of record, including optional sales tax with Stripe Tax. Your share arrives in your own Stripe account automatically.
Resellers
Let partners sell your software. You set each reseller's quota, minimum and maximum price, and commission; they set their own price within your range.
Moving to a new computer
Decide per customer whether a license may be moved between computers, and how many computers it may be active on at once.
Analytics
See activations, daily active installs, trials, trial conversions, app versions, operating systems and countries for every product.
Tamper resistance
Licenses and tier lists are cryptographically signed, local license data is encrypted and bound to the computer, and the SDK detects clocks set back to extend a license.
Frequently asked questions
What is License Tool?
License Tool is a software licensing platform for developers. You add a small SDK to your application, define tiers with the features and limits each one unlocks, and sell license keys on your own store. When a customer types their key into your app, the SDK activates it and tells your code which features are enabled.
Which programming languages and operating systems are supported?
There are native SDKs for Java (8 and later), C++ (17 and later), Python (3.8 and later), JavaScript and TypeScript for Node.js and Electron, and Go. Each SDK works on Windows, macOS and Linux and has no third-party dependencies to install.
Do my customers need an account or an internet connection?
No account is needed inside your software: customers activate with the license key from their email. Online activation needs a connection once, after which the app keeps working through outages. If you enable offline activation, a computer that never connects to the internet can be activated with a machine code instead.
How does offline activation work?
Your app shows a short machine code. The customer enters it, together with their license key, on your activation page and receives a signed activation key that works only on that computer. Offline activations are always locked to one computer and cannot be moved.
Can customers try my software before buying?
Yes. Customers can start a free trial from inside your app without creating an account. You choose the trial length, and each computer can use a trial only once.
How do payments work, and who is the seller of record?
Customers pay on your store through Stripe. You, the developer, are the seller of record and can collect sales tax or VAT with Stripe Tax. Your share of each sale is transferred to your own Stripe account automatically, and the license key is emailed to the customer as soon as the payment succeeds.
How are subscriptions billed?
Subscriptions are billed in fixed cycles of 30, 90, 180 or 365 days. Each cycle starts on the day the customer subscribed rather than on a calendar date, and the license stays active for as long as the subscription is paid.
Can resellers sell my software?
Yes. You invite resellers and set each one's quota, the minimum and maximum price they may charge, and their commission. Resellers choose their own price within your range and are paid their commission automatically.
Does License Tool host my downloads?
No. License Tool handles licensing and payments only. You keep distributing your installers the way you do today.
Start licensing your software today.
Create a vendor account, add your first product and download the SDK in a few minutes.
Create a vendor account