TestComplete License Types

Applies to TestComplete 15.62, last modified on March 14, 2024

This page refers to key-based licenses — a legacy license type used in TestComplete until version 15.48. For information on the current, ID-based license type, see SmartBear ID-based Licenses.

TestComplete key-based licenses include the following information:

  • The names of the product modules and add-ons you can use, and

  • The number of product instances that can work concurrently.

A license can permit using one product module, or any combination of them, for example, Desktop + Web.

The license type specifies the number of product instances that can run concurrently. TestComplete uses two license types: Node-Locked and Floating User.

Licenses by type

Node-Locked licenses

The Node-Locked license is bound to one computer. You can run only one TestComplete instance at a time on this computer.

Do not activate Node-Locked licenses on virtual computers. If you need to run tests on virtual computers, use Floating User licenses or TestExecute.

Note: If you have a trial version of TestComplete (which is always licensed as Node-Locked), you can activate it on virtual computers. However, we do not recommend doing it. For more information, see Using TestComplete on Virtual Machines.
Floating User licenses

The Floating User license lets you run several TestComplete copies on multiple computers in the local network. The number of copies that can work concurrently is determined by the license key.

When using the Floating User license, you enter the license key on one computer only (License Manager PC). There is no need to activate TestComplete on other workstations.

Licenses by expiration date

Based on the license expiration dates we distinguish Perpetual and Subscription licenses:

  • Subscription means the license is time-limited. It will expire after 30 days in case of trial licenses and 1 year in case of commercial licenses. After the license expires, you can purchase a renewal.

    The following licenses are always Subscription licenses:

    • All new TestComplete licenses are Subscription by default. After it expires, you can no longer use the product.

    • A license for the Intelligent Quality add-on. After it expires, you can no longer create tests using the Intelligent Quality testing features. However, you can still run the existing tests using TestExecute.

    • A trial license. After it expires, you can no longer use the product.

    After a commercial license for TestComplete modules (Desktop, Web or Mobile) expires, you cannot continue using the product, nor receive latest updates or technical assistance from the SmartBear Customer Care team.

  • Perpetual license has no expiration date.

Licensing TestComplete modules and add-ons

TestComplete consists of TestComplete Platform and one or several TestComplete Modules and add-ons:

Modules Add-ons
Desktop
Web
Mobile
Intelligent Quality
Device Cloud

Each component is licensed separately.

The Device Cloud add-on also includes one parallel test run and an unlimited number of automation minutes for BitBar, which is a SmartBear Software web service for running web tests on real mobile and desktop web browsers. You can use them to run your cross-platform web tests in remote environments managed by BitBar.

If the licenses you have purchased cannot be merged, the Sales Team sends individual keys. You need to perform the activation procedure for each key you have.

Licensing other products

TestExecute is a resource-friendly utility that is used to run tests on computers where TestComplete is not installed. A TestExecute license has no time limitations and includes all TestComplete modules and the Intelligent Quality add-on.

TestLeft is a tool for creating automated UI tests in Microsoft Visual Studio.

TestExecute and TestLeft are shipped and licensed separately.

Check license type

You can check the type of the license you have on our web site or directly in the product. See Learning License Type.

Activate license

Before you start using TestComplete, you need to activate its license. The steps depend on the license type you have. See Activating Licenses.

See Also

About Licensing System
Activating Licenses

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