The content of this article does not apply for cloud-based licensing. For further information about cloud licensing please read this article.
Commercial Licenses
Commercial versions are licensed using CodeMeter hardware or software protection. For full information on commercial license compatibility, see the Protection Key article.
Types of commercial licenses
Full license
With a Full license you can use the fully functional Graphisoft product with unlimited usage. You will be able to run older versions as well.
Solo license
Solo licenses for Solo Archicad versions are available in the UK, USA, Brazil, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and in Latin-America. Solo version has the exact same functionality as the Full version except it doesn't include TeamWork, Cinema 4D rendering engine and Hotlink/X-ref capabilities.
License borrowing
An Archicad commercial license may be borrowed from a multi-license Codemeter hardware-based or software-based protection key and later returned for subsequent use by another user.
Subscription license
A subscription license requires a software-based protection key. A subscription license lets you run Archicad for 1 or 12 calendar months and it is automatically extended until the customer opts-out (not available on all markets).
Demo Mode
Archicad will launch in Demo mode if the hardware or software protection cannot be accessed or there is no free license available. Save, Copy, and TeamWork functions are disabled, but it is still possible to print.
Educational (EDU) License
Education version is a fully functional version for students and educators, that can be used for 1 year.
Please see the following article about registration, installation and license renewal: Educational License: Step-by-step.
Trial License
A Trial License can be used to run a fully functional Archicad version for 30 days.
For more information about license requesting, download and usage see: Free trial of Archicad.
BIMx
BIMx is a multiplatform design presentation and collaboration solution.
For license options see the BIMx Licensing article.
EcoDesigner STAR
EcoDesigner STAR is a built-in Archicad toolset that places standard-compliant energy analysis at the heart of the BIM work environment, enabling architects to create the most energy-efficient designs. It is the fully functional version of the free Energy Evaluation toolset already accessible to every Archicad user.
Learn about availability, workflow and check the user manual here.
File compatibility between different License types
Full Version
The license validity of Full version of Archicad is indefinite. You can open and save Full and Solo files in the Full version. Educational files can be also opened and saved in Full Archicad but once you open it, Archicad will be switched into educational mode and a permanent watermark will appear on the layouts and printouts. Teamwork functionality is available for Full version.
Demo Version
The license validity of Demo version of Archicad is indefinite as well. You can open and view any file format of Archicad. There is no save, copy or teamwork functions in Demo version.
Trial Version
The license validity of Trial version is only for 30 days. With trial you’ll get full modeling capabilities, and no watermark placed on projects and documents. This means that the file created during the trial period is equal to a commercial Archicad file. After the trial ends, you can continue using the file without converting it.
Educational Version
The license validity of the Educational version is for a year which is renewable. With the Educational version, you are able to open and save any file version. Please keep in my mind, opening Full and Solo file versions in the Educational version, converts those files to the Educational version which means a permanent watermark will appear on all the layouts and printouts. Teamwork function is also available for all the projects shared in Educational mode.
Solo Version
The license validity of Solo version is also indefinite. Users are able to open and save Full and Solo file in Solo version of Archicad. Educational files will be opened in Solo version as well, but Archicad will be converted to educational mode. Solo version doesn't contain any teamwork functionality.
To purchase Graphisoft products or for country specific information please contact your local Graphisoft representative.
Benjamin Dani
