Digital licenses: what to check before you buy

A digital license is a purchase you should check as carefully as hardware. Use these questions to compare the exact product and edition.

Before checkout

• Is the license intended for a user, a device or another licensing unit?
• Does it support your operating system, region and intended business use?
• Which features are included in this edition?
• Is it a new license, a renewal or an upgrade requiring an existing product?
• What are the term, billing schedule, renewal conditions and cancellation rules?
• How is access delivered, and who will own the account used for activation?

Plan administration

Record who assigns licenses and manages renewals. Ask about transfer, reassignment and support before purchase. Keep the order record and vendor activation instructions together.

Check the vendor guidance

Microsoft distinguishes subscriptions from the licenses assigned within them. Other vendors may use different models, so check the current terms for your exact product.

Microsoft: understand subscriptions and licenses

Use Digital Licenses in our navigation to explore Licensing & Subscriptions. Contact The Command Line if you need help confirming the fit for your team.