Floating software licensing lets multiple users share a limited pool of licenses. A license is checked out automatically when a user launches the application and returned to the pool when they're done, so you only need as many licenses as you have users working at the same time. For teams with fluctuating demand, it's a straightforward way to cut licensing costs without cutting access.
| License Type | Assigned To | Flexibility | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
Node-Locked | One device | Low | Individual users |
Floating | License pool | High | Enterprise teams |
Subscription | Account | Medium | SaaS platforms |
ISO 27001
Trusted by global software vendors
Developer-first APIs & SDKsFloating licensing relies on a license server or cloud license manager that tracks active sessions in real time.
Floating licenses enforce a concurrency limit: the maximum number of users who can run the software simultaneously. When all licenses are in use, additional users are queued until one becomes available.
| License Purchased | Active Users Allowed |
|---|---|
5 | 5 concurrent users |
20 | 20 concurrent users |
100 | 100 concurrent users |
Take Licenses Offline When You Need To
Some environments can't rely on a persistent network connection. License borrowing lets users temporarily check out a license from the pool — ideal for:
The license returns to the pool automatically when the borrowing period expires.
Pay for the number of users active at once, not every person who might ever need access. For large teams with uneven usage, this can meaningfully reduce per-seat spend.
Users aren't tied to a single machine. Any device connected to the network can check out a license from the pool.
Floating license servers can run inside private networks or air-gapped infrastructure, with no external connectivity required.
Administrators get a centralized view of who's using what, how often licenses are at capacity, and where demand is highest.
Concurrent licensing is a standard requirement for enterprise procurement. Offering it removes a common blocker in deals with large organizations.
License pools align cost to actual concurrency—a commercially fair model that resonates with procurement teams.
Floating licenses work well for trials, evaluation access, and phased rollouts alongside your standard commercial tiers.
Customers who can share licenses across teams are less likely to hit friction points that drive churn.
LicenseSpring handles the licensing infrastructure so you don't have to build it. From concurrent access to perpetual installs to consumption-based billing, all models are available from a single platform.
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