Cloud licenses vs. Key-based licenses: Frequently Asked Questions

[Katica]

• Who should read this article?
• New cloud licenses available in the Graphisoft Store
• Cloud licenses
• What is a cloud license?
• What’s the advantage of cloud licenses?
• In which cases is the cloud license good for me?
• If I have a cloud license, can I work offline too?
• If I buy a cloud license for Archicad 27, can I also use it for Archicad 26 and earlier?
• If the cloud license is connected to my Graphisoft account, but I don’t need it, can my co-worker us...
• What if I leave Archicad running on my home computer, but now I’m traveling and need my license on m...
• What if I am using Archicad offline, and my computer gets damaged? Do I lose my license?
• I went to the Graphisoft Store, but I don’t see any option for cloud licenses
• Key-based licenses
• What is a key-based license?
• In which cases is the key-based license good for me?
• Can I convert my key-based license to a cloud license?
• I started my trial with a cloud license, but I want to use a key-based license from now on. Can I do...

Who should read this article?

This article is for you if:

• You already have licenses for Graphisoft products
• You are thinking of buying a new subscription now, and you have never had a Graphisoft subscription before

New cloud licenses available in the Graphisoft Store

Over the course of the next year (starting September 2023), Graphisoft is rolling out new, expanded subscription offerings in the renewed Graphisoft Store. All products in the new store use cloud licenses for added flexibility and ease of use.

Meanwhile, the familiar (“legacy”) Graphisoft Store continues to offer subscriptions to Graphisoft products with key-based licensing - just like before.

If you are an existing Graphisoft customer, and you are thinking of buying a new subscription for the first time, you can decide whether your new subscription should have the new cloud license or else the traditional key-based license.

Important notes:

• The cloud license supports Archicad 27 and later. If you want to work with older Archicad versions, choose the key-based license. If you want to use Archicad 27 for new projects, choose the cloud-based license.
• Once you decide on a licensing technology for your subscription (cloud license or key-based), you won’t be able to switch to the other licensing technology.
• The availability of key-based perpetual licenses remains unchanged. If you prefer, you can keep buying key-based perpetual licenses from your local partner.

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

In which cases is the cloud license good for me?

You should get a cloud license for your new subscription if both of these conditions apply to you:

• You plan to start new projects in Archicad 27
• You do NOT plan to edit projects with older versions of Archicad

Using a cloud license requires an internet connection, although once the license is activated, you can also work offline (see below).

In any case, the cloud license is available to you only if you have never had a Graphisoft subscription before.

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 27, can I also use it for Archicad 26 and earlier?

No. With the new cloud license:

• You can create new projects in Archicad 27, and
• You can migrate older-version solo projects to Archicad 27

Note: You can’t migrate older-version Teamwork projects, because migration requires running the older-version Archicad, which the cloud license for Archicad 27 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.

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, is being rolled out beginning September 27, 2023. In the near future, the new Graphisoft Store will be widely available. We’ll let you know when the new store is available in your market!

Meanwhile, the familiar(“legacy”) Graphisoft Store continues to offer subscriptions to Graphisoft products with key-based licensing - just like before.

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 for your new subscription if:

• You want to create and edit projects in Archicad 27 and earlier Archicad versions too
• You want to share and join Teamwork projects from Archicad 27 and earlier Archicad versions too on BIMcloud SaaS

In any case, if you have ever purchased a Graphisoft subscription before, then - for the time being - only the key-based subscription is available to you.

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.

I started my trial with a cloud license, but I want to use a key-based license from now on. Can I do that?

No, sorry! Once you decide on a licensing technology for your subscription (cloud license or key-based), you won’t be able to switch to the other licensing technology.