SOLIDWORKS Licence Types Explained: Standalone vs Network vs Named User

Understanding how SOLIDWORKS licensing works is an important step when choosing the right SOLIDWORKS licence for your engineering team.

SOLIDWORKS offers several licensing models designed to support different ways of working. From individual engineers using a dedicated workstation to larger teams sharing licences or working across multiple devices.

If you’re evaluating SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, understanding the different licence models will help you choose the most efficient setup for your organisation.

👉 Learn more about the software on our SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD page.

 

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🎥 Watch: SOLIDWORKS Licensing Explained in 3 Minutes

This short video explains the different SOLIDWORKS licensing models and when each type of licence is typically used.

 

What is SOLIDWORKS Licensing?

SOLIDWORKS licensing is the system used to control how users access and run SOLIDWORKS software.

There are three main SOLIDWORKS licence models: Activation-Based (standalone), Network Licensing (“floating” licences via a server), and Named User Licensing (cloud-based access assigned to individual users).

Each option offers different levels of flexibility depending on how your engineers work.

 

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Types of SOLIDWORKS Licence

There are three main SOLIDWORKS licence types available today:

• 🖥️ Activation-Based Licensing (Standalone)

• 🌐 SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing (SNL)

• ☁️ Named User Licensing

Each licensing model offers different advantages depending on your organisation’s size, infrastructure, and workflow.

 

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What SOLIDWORKS Licence Types Are Available to Buy?

🖥️ Activation-Based Licensing (Standalone)

Activation-Based Licensing is the traditional standalone SOLIDWORKS licence model.

With this approach, SOLIDWORKS is activated on a specific computer using a serial number.

Key features

• One SOLIDWORKS licence per machine
• The licence must be activated on that device
• If you switch computers, you must deactivate the licence first and then reactivate it on the new machine
• No server or additional infrastructure required

This type of SOLIDWORKS licence is ideal for:

• Individual designers

• Small engineering teams

• Organisations where users work on dedicated workstations

The main advantage of standalone licensing is simplicity, although each user typically requires their own licence.

 

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🌐 SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing (SNL)

SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing, often referred to as SNL, allows organisations to share floating licences across multiple users.

Licences are stored on a central server, which distributes them when users open the software.

How SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing works

1️⃣ A user launches SOLIDWORKS

2️⃣ A licence is checked out from the server

3️⃣ When the software closes, the licence is returned to the pool

This allows multiple engineers to share access to a smaller number of licences.

Network licensing works best when not every engineer needs SOLIDWORKS at the same time.

 

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☁️ Named User Licensing

Named User Licensing is the newest and most flexible SOLIDWORKS licensing model.

Instead of licences being tied to a computer or server, they are assigned directly to individual users via email.

Users simply log in to access SOLIDWORKS from their device.

Benefits of Named User Licensing

• Access SOLIDWORKS from multiple devices
• No licence deactivation required
• Cloud-based licence management
• Easier administration and user management
• Built-in collaboration tools

This licensing model works particularly well for organisations with remote or hybrid engineering teams.

 

📊 SOLIDWORKS Licensing Comparison

SOLIDWORKS Licensing Model	Best For	Key Benefit
Activation-Based (Standalone)	Individual users	Simple setup with no server required
Network Licensing (SNL)	Engineering teams	Floating licences shared between users
Named User Licensing	Remote or hybrid teams	Access from multiple devices with cloud management

 

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What Are the Benefits of Network Licensing vs Standalone?

The main benefit of SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing is flexibility and efficiency.

For example, if your organisation has 10 engineers but typically only 5 engineers are using SOLIDWORKS at the same time, you may only need 5 floating licences.

This allows businesses to optimise their SOLIDWORKS licensing investment while still giving the entire team access when needed.

Standalone licences are simpler to manage but require one licence per user.

 

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How to Choose the Right SOLIDWORKS Licence

Choosing the right SOLIDWORKS licensing model depends on how your engineers work and how frequently the software is used.

👍 Choose Activation-Based Licensing if:

• You are a single user or small team

• Engineers work on dedicated machines

• You want the simplest licensing setup

👥 Choose SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing if:

• Multiple engineers need access to SOLIDWORKS

• Users do not work in the software at the same time

• You want to share floating licences

🌍 Choose Named User Licensing if:

• Engineers need mobility and flexibility

• Users work across multiple computers

• You want simplified cloud-based licence administration

 

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📋 Summary of SOLIDWORKS Licence Types

SOLIDWORKS offers three primary licensing models designed to support different engineering workflows.

Activation-based licences are tied to a specific machine and offer a simple standalone setup. Network licences allow teams to share floating licences through a central server, improving licence efficiency. Named user licences provide the greatest flexibility by allowing individuals to access SOLIDWORKS through a cloud-based login across multiple devices.

Understanding these SOLIDWORKS licence types helps organisations choose the licensing model that best supports their engineering team.

If you’re comparing purchasing options as well as licence models, you may also find our guide on SOLIDWORKS licence purchasing options: perpetual vs term licensing useful.

You can also explore the full capabilities of the software on our SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD product page.

 

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❓ SOLIDWORKS Licensing FAQs

 

🔢 How many types of SOLIDWORKS licences are there?

There are three main SOLIDWORKS licence types: Activation-Based Licensing (standalone), SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing (SNL), and Named User Licensing.

 

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🌐 What is a SOLIDWORKS network licence?

A SOLIDWORKS network licence (SNL) is stored on a central server, “floating” to allow multiple users to share access to SOLIDWORKS when the software is in use.

 

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👥 Can SOLIDWORKS licences be shared?

Yes. With SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing, multiple users can share floating licences as long as the number of active users does not exceed the number of licences available.

 

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☁️ What is the most flexible SOLIDWORKS licence?

Named User Licensing is the most flexible SOLIDWORKS licensing model because users can access the software from multiple devices using a cloud-based login.

 

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Need Help Choosing the Right SOLIDWORKS Licence?

Selecting the correct SOLIDWORKS licensing model can improve productivity and help organisations manage their software investment more effectively.

At Visiativ UK & Ireland, we help engineering teams understand how SOLIDWORKS licensing works and choose the licence type that best suits their workflows.

If you’re unsure which SOLIDWORKS licensing option is right for your organisation, our team can help you evaluate your requirements and recommend the most suitable option.

1️⃣ Learn more about SOLIDWORKS software

2️⃣ Read our SOLIDWORKS Licence Buyer’s Guide (Perpetual vs. Term)