What is a Concurrent License?
A concurrent license (also called a floating license) is a licensing model that allows any user within an organization to use the software, up to a maximum number of simultaneous active users at any given time. Unlike named-user or node-locked licenses, concurrent licenses are shared from a central license server and checked out when a user launches the software, then returned when they exit. This model is efficient for software that is not in continuous use by all licensed users simultaneously.
Examples
- An engineering firm purchases 25 concurrent licenses for simulation software used by 80 engineers. Since no more than 25 engineers need to run it at the same time, this is more cost-effective than 80 named-user licenses.
- A school deploys 30 concurrent licenses for creative software across a lab of 60 computers, allowing up to 30 students to use it at once.
- A software vendor's license server manages concurrent checkouts, queuing additional requests when all licenses are in use and releasing them when sessions end.
- An ISV offers concurrent licensing as an option for enterprise customers with large user bases but limited peak simultaneous usage.
Common Applications
- Engineering, design, and simulation software with shift-based usage patterns
- Educational lab environments with shared access requirements
- Enterprise software with predictable concurrency profiles
- On-premises software deployment with floating license servers
- Cost optimization for organizations where not all users need simultaneous access