If you’ve been searching for ways to secure your software licenses beyond cloud tools and online activations, you’ve likely come across hardware license storage devices. And if you’re wondering what they actually are and whether you should be using them, you’re in the right place. Think of this as a conversation — the kind where you’re learning something new but not getting buried under jargon. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how hardware-based licensing works and when it makes sense for your applications. Hardware-Based Software Licensing: What It Really Means Before diving into the hardware itself, it helps to understand the idea behind hardware-based software licensing. At its simplest, it means tying your license to a physical object — something you can plug in, hold, or install. Instead of storing your license key inside your application or relying solely on cloud validation, the license lives in a secure device that sits outside your software. This gives you a few advantages: It’s a “lock-and-key” approach — only the key happens to be a real piece of hardware. Secure License Storage Devices Explained So what exactly is stored on these devices?At a high level, these devices store: A secure...
Read MoreSoftware Licensing and Protection
Welcome to software-licensing.com,
a comprehensive resource for ISVs, embedded software developers, IT professionals, and end-users interested in modern software monetization strategies, technologies, and back-office considerations driving the state-of-the-art of software licensing, software protection, and security.
What software license model is best for your business?
Is your software code safe against hackers and reverse enginering?
Are you maximizing your software revenue potential?
About Us
Software-licensing.com is an educational resource for Independent Software Vendors, embedded system engineers, software end users, and any others who are interested in the basic concepts and current state of the art of software protection and software licensing technologies and software monetization strategies. The site is hosted by Wibu-Systems USA, a leader in the art of software licensing and software protection since 1989. We welcome visitors to participate in our community with relevant comments and questions for further discussion.
Have questions?
software-licensing.com
Key Considerations
Key aspects of software licensing
Diverse platforms demanding interoperability
Matching the right license model with the app
Choosing the best license storage solution
Integrating management with the backoffice
The underlying foundational elements
If you have any questions about software licensing, software protection, and software monetization, please click the button below and we would be happy to help.