This page compares subscription and perpetual terms for development and deployment license types to help you decide which options will best meet your needs.
A development license is used for creating new applications and programs. Development licenses are available in subscription or perpetual terms1. Subscription licenses give you access to software on an annual basis. Perpetual licenses provide lifetime usage of the software. In many cases, the long-term cost of a perpetual license is greater than that of a subscription, but a perpetual license offers non-stop usage, which some contracts or projects may require.
A deployment license is sometimes required for distributing applications developed using a particular software product. You must purchase one deployment license for each target computer on which the application will run. All deployment licenses are perpetual licenses. To learn more about deployment license requirements, read Deployment and Debug Licenses for NI Software.
For additional information about license types and terms, read Understanding NI Software Policies.
Development licenses are available in subscription or perpetual terms. Your selection should be determined by your specific development needs.
| Task | License to Use | License Description |
|---|---|---|
| I need a solution with flexible usage, timelines, and/or costs due to uncertainty in my project. | Subscription development license | Subscription licenses have the lowest upfront costs and are easy to scale with your project because you can renew for as long as you need the license. |
| I have a business requirement to use perpetual software. | Perpetual development license | If you have business or contractual requirements that specify perpetual software development tools, perpetual licenses are the right choice. |
| I need to be able to upgrade my project to the most recent software version. | Subscription or perpetual development license | NI software licenses provide access to an NI software service agreement. Learn more about the benefits of software services. These benefits are included in subscription licenses and for the first year of perpetual licenses. After the first year, software service is renewable on an annual basis. |
There are multiple licensing selections available; your selection will depend on how you need to deploy applications to your end users. The type of deployment license you need is independent of the type of development license you used to build the application you are deploying. Refer to the following table to learn which deployment scenario is appropriate for you.
| Task | License to Use | License Description |
|---|---|---|
| I need to deploy an application for an end user. I do not want my end user to have to worry about licensing. | Perpetual runtime engine license, if required by the software you use | If you are using software like NI LabVIEW, the runtime engine license is included in the cost of your development license, even if you purchased a subscription license. For instance, if you deploy an executable to your end user and decide not to renew your subscription development license, your application deployment to your end user application is not affected and continues to work. This deployment scenario is the least complex. You build an executable that you give to an end user. The application is likely faster and less memory intensive. In addition, compiled code is obfuscated to protect your intellectual property. Some NI software requires an additional deployment license to execute. If your application was developed using software that requires a deployment license to execute, the perpetual runtime engine license alone is insufficient for your end user’s licensing needs. Continue to the next row in the table for a more appropriate option. |
| My application was developed using software that requires a deployment license to distribute. | Perpetual deployment license | The perpetual deployment license has a one-time cost. After you purchase and deploy this license, your end user application runs successfully. Deployment licenses are perpetual licenses and do not require annual renewal. Some deployment licenses do have service options available. Refer to Deployment and Debug Licenses for NI Software. |
| I need to deploy an application for a user who needs to be able to modify, repair, or view the code as part of the requirements for final delivery. | Perpetual debug and deployment license, also referred to as a debug license | A debug and deployment license is a perpetual license and has a one-time cost. After you purchase and deploy a debug and deployment license, your end user application runs successfully. These licenses include a complete installation of the NI software you used to create your application, enabling your end user to debug your application. Debug and deployment licenses include an NI software service agreement for the first year. After the first year, software service is renewable on an annual basis. Refer to Deployment and Debug Licenses for NI Software. |
1 Starting in November 2024, NI will offer both subscription and perpetual licenses for NI LabVIEW and the NI LabVIEW+ Suite. Perpetual licenses for other test software will become available in February 2025.