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Which License Setup Do I Need?

Individuals and Small Groups

If you are an individual or part of a small group of users we recommend using a node-locked or a log-in license. A node-locked license is locked to a machine. A log-in license is locked to a user. Note that not all products offer log-in licenses. There is little IT overhead and these license types can be taken offline.

Larger Organizations

For larger organizations we recommend a license server setup. This allows centralized monitoring and control of licensing while end user setup is minimal. This setup allows you to change which machines run the application without any administrative overhead on the server.

License Types

Node-Locked Licenses

A license locked to a specific machine. Node-locked licenses, sometimes called uncounted licenses, do not require a license server or other resources to run. The license is for a single machine, if you need to move the license you’ll have to submit a transfer request

Good for...

  • A user running on the same machine all the time, who isn't within an organisation that runs a license server.  
  • Node-locked licenses can be used offline so they are suitable for machines that move between networks.


Floating Licenses

A license locked to a machine that acts as a license server to enable any machine on the network to run an application.  The license is installed on the server machine along with license server software. The license server software is installed with the Foundry Licensing Utility.

The number of machines that can run the application at the same time is limited by the number of floats in the license.  Any machine can request a license, the server will issue a license as long as one is available. When the application exits it will release the license.

Good for…

  • Organisations that are running applications on a number of machines on a secure and reliable network.


Log-In Licenses

A log-in license is tied to your foundry.com website account. The license can be used on different machines.

To obtain a license, log into the application with your Foundry website account. A short term temporary license for that machine is created and installed automatically. The license is extended every time the application connects to the Foundry website. Once the machine has a license, it can be used offline for the duration of the temporary license, typically 37 days. If you have an annual subscription that is paid monthly, the license goes to the next payment date, plus seven days.

A log-in license lets you activate and run an application on two machines at the same time. The license can be moved to other machines by logging out of any active machine and then logging into another. You can view and manage your active devices through the Foundry website.

Nuke and Katana do not currently support log-in licensing.

Good for…

  • Individual users that need to run an application on different machines at different times.
  • Suits those working alone or in small companies.


Tools, Support and Help with licensing

Licensing Tools - Foundry Licensing Utility

The Licensing Tools page contains instructions and download links for the Foundry Licensing Utility (FLU). The Foundry Licensing Utility is used to:

  • Obtain your System ID
  • Install and view licenses
  • Install server tools
  • Help troubleshoot licensing problems



The License Help section of the Support Portal contains lots of useful information about licensing and what to do if you encounter a problem. If you cannot find the information you are looking for then please raise a support ticket through the Support Portal to contact the Support team.

Licensing Concepts and Terminology

What is a Maintenance Plan?

Foundry’s Maintenance Plan gives you exclusive access to both technical support and beta programs, where your voice helps to shape the future of our products.

Whilst your maintenance plan is active, you can run the latest major and minor releases of the application to get access to new features and bug fixes.

The Maintenance Plan is subject to renewal, typically on an annual basis.

To find out more see here.

What is a Permanent License?

When you purchase a permanent license, you are able to run any versions of the application that are released before the end date of your maintenance contract - this is the “maintenance date”. In practice, the maintenance date is the version limit of the license.

Permanent licenses do not expire, you will always be able to run versions of the application that were released before the maintenance date of the license. If you do not renew your maintenance then you won’t be able to run versions released after the maintenance date.

Your first purchase of a permanent license comes with a maintenance plan, typically of 1 year.

As an example, when purchasing a permanent license on 1st July 2019 we would issue a permanent license with a maintenance date of 1st July 2020. The license will show this maintenance date as 2020.0701. With this license you can forever run any versions of the application that were released before 1st July 2020.

What is a Rental License?

With a rental license you can use the application for the duration of the rental period, typically 1, 2 or 3 quarters of a year. When the rental period is over the license expires and you can no longer use the application.

A rental license includes a maintenance plan for the duration of the rental.

As an example, when purchasing a rental license for 2 quarters starting on 1st July 2019 we would issue a license that expires on 1st January 2020. With this license you can run any version of the application that has a release date lower than 1st January 2020. After 1st January 2020 the application will not be licensed.


A System ID uniquely identifies a machine. When a license is created it is locked to the System ID and the license can only be installed on that machine. For most license purchases we require a System ID.

You do not need to provide the System ID for log-in licenses.

For more information click here.

Activation Keys

An activation key is a short line of characters which is used to generate a license after purchase. They are provided for node-locked, floating licenses and login licenses. They can be activated using the application's Licensing dialog or online using the Activate a Product page here.