Sell software with license keys that manage themselves
Issue a license key with every sale, activate it from your app, let it expire with the subscription and deliver updates to paying customers only.
Licenses follow billing
A rebill extends the key, a refund disables it, an upgrade retires the old one.
One place for the customer
Keys, activations and downloads sit next to invoices and support tickets.
Runs on your server
No per-activation fees. The activation API is part of your own site.
License keys
Licensing schemes
For example Single site, Agency 5 sites or Lifetime. Link each scheme to products or billing plans.
One key per unit
Buying three copies issues three keys.
Your key format
Random keys with your length and prefix, or your own list of keys with low-stock alerts.
Expiry
Valid while the subscription is active, or for life.
Renewals
Keep the same key on each rebill, or issue a new one.
Activation
Bind to an installation
Domain, URL, server IP or hardware ID.
Installation limits
Set how many installations a key may run at once.
Moving a license
Allow customers to move a license a set number of times.
Regular checks
The software checks in every few days, so refunded or expired keys stop working.
Offline tolerance
Signed activation codes and a grace period if your site cannot be reached.
Downloads and updates
Versions and release notes
Any number of versions per product, with notes and files.
Protected files
Files on your server or cloud storage, served through expiring links.
Update checks
Your app asks for the latest version and downloads it with its license key.
Customers and admin
Licenses page
Keys, expiry and active installations in the member area.
Self-service moves
Customers release an installation themselves when they change servers.
Search everything
Find licenses by customer, invoice, key, domain or IP. Edit expiry or disable a key or one activation.
Sample code
One click gives you a PHP license checking example with your scheme settings filled in.
Serial codes
Hand out codes from a publisher's list on each purchase with the serial codes add-on.
Team licenses
With Team accounts, a company buys seats and gets one key per seat.
How it works
- 1Create a licensing scheme and link it to your product.
- 2A customer buys. aMember issues the key and e-mails it.
- 3The customer enters the key in your software, which activates it on your aMember site.
- 4aMember checks the key and the installation limit and returns a signed activation.
- 5Your software checks in regularly. Renewals extend the key and refunds disable it.
Questions and answers
Which languages can check licenses?
A PHP class is included as an example. You build license checking into your app based on that sample code, and aMember provides the API and handles all license data.
Can customers move to a new server?
Yes. They release the old installation in the member area, within the limits you set.
How do I get it?
Software licensing is a paid add-on for aMember Pro. Order it from our site or contact us.
Other modules
Ready to try it?
See it working in the online demo, or get aMember Pro today.