CODESYS^® Licensing

License container

Depending on the product or product category, different license conditions and procedures apply.
Licenses are stored in one of the two license containers, depending on the product:

Hardware dongle

The USB dongle is called CODESYS Key and contains up to 4,000 licenses. At the same time, the CODESYS Key serves as encryption hardware for numerous security tasks.

Software license container

This storage for licenses is set up along with the initial installation of CODESYS on the desired device (e.g. workstation PC or control hardware) and remains bound to it thereafter.

To help you decide which license container is right for you, see here.

CODESYS Development System

The use of the CODESYS Development System is free of charge - there is no license fee for you. The only requirement for the installation is your agreement to the end user license agreement.

The CODESYS Store offers a wide range of add-on products for CODESYS. These expand the functionality of the CODESYS Development System and the CODESYS Control SoftSPS systems.

The licensing terms (per workstation or per target device) are specified for each product:

Add-on products for the CODESYS Development System

Workstation License

Licensing can be done either through the software license container or the CODESYS Key. Depending on the product, workstation licenses are either permanent or valid as a subscription for a specific period (such as the products in the CODESYS Professional Developer Edition).

Network License

Currently available exclusively for products in the CODESYS Professional Developer Edition

Licenses can be stored on a server on the local network and used there by all connected users. The number of licenses determines the number of users who can be online at the same time.

SoftSPS system and Add-on products for CODESYS-compatible devices

Single-Device License

The license is stored either in the software license container or directly on the CODESYS Key on the target device. The range of features unlocked depends on the selected license package and must be compatible with the application you have developed. Application-based licenses are available for all CODESYS Control SL platforms starting with version 4.9.0.0 or higher and CODESYS Development System V3.5 SP19 Patch 1 or higher. For more detailed information on application-based licenses, please visit the CODESYS Store.

Application-Based License

If the manufacturer of a CODESYS-compatible device has enabled this feature, you can purchase and license additional functions for the device. Depending on how the device manufacturer has designed the system, you can store such licenses in the software license container on the device or on the CODESYS Key, which is inserted into the device. See also the section "CODESYS Control runtime systems – Implementation by device manufacturers.”

You can store licenses on an existing license container in various ways:

Directly when purchasing a license in the CODESYS Store
At any time in the CODESYS Development System
At any time via a dedicated web interface (License Central at license.codesys.com)

Internet access is required for license activation. By breaking up the license storage into several steps, you can activate a license even if the intended target device is not connected to the Internet.

CODESYS Control runtime systems - Implementation by device manufacturers

If you purchase CODESYS-compatible devices from a device manufacturer of your choice, the necessary licenses are usually already stored on the devices. You therefore do not need any additional licenses, unless otherwise specified by the device manufacturer.

Exception: If your device supports the subsequent licensing of additional functions, you can purchase the necessary licenses in the CODESYS Store and use them to activate the desired functions.

CODESYS Automation Server - The Industry 4.0 platform

The administration of CODESYS-based controllers (from CODESYS V3) can be conveniently carried out in the cloud-based CODESYS Automation Server platform. You can book and manage special accounts ("tenants") in the CODESYS Store. Licensing depends on the time and the way you use the server, e.g. the number of managed controllers.

CODESYS® Licensing