TABLE OF CONTENTS
Who should read this article?
This article is for you if:
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You already have licenses for Graphisoft products
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You have an existing subscription with a license key, purchased from one of the legacy webshops and plan to move to a cloud-based licensing technology
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You are thinking of buying a new subscription now, and you have never had a Graphisoft subscription before
Cloud licenses available in the Graphisoft Store
All products in the renewed Graphisoft Store use cloud licenses for added flexibility and ease of use.
In contrast, the legacy webshops offer subscriptions to Graphisoft products with key-based licensing.
Important notes:
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The cloud license supports Archicad 26 and later. If you want to work with older Archicad versions, use a key-based license.
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These 2 license types operate independently and can be utilized on the same computer simultaneously if needed.
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It is not possible to change the licensing technology of your subscription for Graphisoft products.
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If you are a new customer, you can purchase key-based perpetual licenses from your local partner until December 31, 2024. Existing customers have until December 31, 2025, to make their purchases. Beginning in 2026, Archicad will only be available through a subscription model.
Please read more about the shift to the subscription model here: Strategic shift to a sustainable subscription model.
Cloud licenses
What is a cloud license?
“Cloud license” refers to cloud-based software licensing - the method used by modern software businesses to license out and distribute their software product to customers using cloud technology.
When you purchase a subscription, cloud licensing happens automatically and in the background - you don’t have to obtain or insert any keys. Just log in to the application using your Graphisoft ID, and you’re good to go.
What’s the advantage of cloud licenses?
- No “licensing steps” needed - the licensing process happens automatically, in the background
- With a cloud license, you don’t have to worry about losing or damaging a protection key
- With a cloud license, you can use your software on multiple devices (one device at a time), because you can easily transfer your license from one device to another.
If I have a cloud license, can I work offline too?
Yes. After you activate the cloud license (internet required), you can go offline whenever you need to, and then work offline for a period of 7 days.
Once you go online again, the license is activated again. You can then go offline whenever you need to, for another 7-day period.
If I buy a cloud license for Archicad 26, can I also use it for Archicad 25 and earlier?
No. With the new cloud license:
- You can create new projects in Archicad 26 and later, and
- You can migrate older-version solo projects to Archicad 26 and later
Note: You can’t migrate older-version Teamwork projects, because migration requires running the older-version Archicad, which the cloud license (for Archicad 26 or later) does not support.
To run older versions of Archicad, you must use a key-based license.
If the cloud license is connected to my Graphisoft account, but I don’t need it, can my co-worker use it instead?
Yes! The company admin can go to the License Management page and reassign the license to your co-worker. You don’t even have to release the license from your computer.
The involvement of the company admin is not required in case you use your Archicad Collaborate subscription with a floating license. Your unused cloud license will be released automatically.
Click here to learn more about Floating Licenses
What if I leave Archicad running on my home computer, but now I’m traveling and need my license on my laptop?
No problem! Start Archicad on your laptop. You’ll be guided to your License Management page (internet needed), where you can release the license from your home computer. Now it’s free for use on your laptop.
What if I am using Archicad offline, and my computer gets damaged? Do I lose my license?
Don’t worry, your cloud license is safe.
Start Archicad on a new computer. You’ll be guided to your License Management page (internet needed), where you can release your license from the damaged computer. Now the license is available for use on the new computer.
I went to the Graphisoft Store, but I don’t see any option for cloud licenses
The new Graphisoft Store, with cloud licenses, was released in September 27, 2023 and is available for all new customers and existing customers who did not have a subscription (with key license) before.
If you have an existing subscription with key license, and thus have access to one of the legacy webshops, please contact your local partner to gain access to the new Graphisoft Store.
What is a floating license?
If you need more flexibility when distributing licenses in your team you may benefit from floating licenses. Cloud licenses can be floating which means they can be used on demand without assigning them to specific users.
Learn more: Floating licenses
Key-based licenses
What is a key-based license?
“Key-based” is the licensing method already familiar to users of Graphisoft products. It means that you activate your software using a key - either a hardware device that you plug in, or a software key that you download. (“Dongle”, “soft key”, “hardware key”, “WIBU license” all refer to the existing key-based licensing method.)
Keys have advantages, but can become damaged. Also, when you buy key-based licenses, you have to go through licensing steps in order to activate them. Distributing and keeping track of key-based licenses requires extra effort.
In which cases is the key-based license good for me?
You should get a key-based license if:
We are gradually making subscriptions with cloud licenses available to clients who already have subscriptions with key-based licenses.
Can I convert my key-based license to a cloud license?
Currently, converting key-based licenses to cloud licenses is not supported. We’ll let you know if this policy changes.
