progeCAD Licensing Guide

Which progeCAD License Is Right for You?

A guide to Single, Flex, and Network licensing — and how to choose the one that fits your workflow.

If you’re evaluating progeCAD as your next CAD platform — or as a cost-effective alternative to AutoCAD — one of the first decisions you’ll make isn’t about features. It’s about how you want to license the software. progeCAD offers three main licensing paths — Single, Flex, and Network (NLM) — designed to fit everything from a solo drafter to a distributed, multi-office team. Here’s a breakdown of each, so you can figure out which one fits your workflow and your budget.

1. Single License — For the Dedicated User

A Single License is the most straightforward option. It’s registered to one computer at a time, meaning the license lives on that machine and is tied to that installation.

This is the right fit if:

• You’re an independent drafter, architect, engineer, or designer who needs CAD available constantly
• You work primarily from one workstation
• You want the simplicity of a license that “just works” without networking configuration

The nice part is that a Single License isn’t permanently glued to one PC forever — it can be deactivated and moved to another computer if you upgrade hardware or switch machines. That said, it only runs on one computer at a time, and switching machines means manually deactivating the license on the old one before it can be activated on the new one. As progeCAD puts it, the key question to ask is: do I need CAD available at all times, or only occasionally? If the answer is “constantly,” a Single License is typically the most economical choice — though if you frequently move between computers, the Flex License below removes that hassle.

2. Flex License — For Users Who Move Between Computers

The Flex License solves a specific limitation of the Single License: a Single License is tied to one computer at a time, and moving it to another machine means manually deactivating it on the old one and reactivating it on the new one. If you regularly switch between a desktop and a laptop, work from more than one location, or just want the freedom to install progeCAD on multiple machines without a formal deactivation process every time, Flex is built for exactly that.

Flex licensing works through an online license server. Instead of being locked to a single PC, your license can be checked out to whichever computer you’re currently working on, then checked back in when you’re done — freeing it up to be checked out on another machine. This checkin/checkout happens easily online, without the deactivate-and-reactivate hassle a Single License requires when you switch computers.

Here’s the practical difference: when you launch progeCAD, a Flex license is picked up from your online pool and assigned to that computer, then released back to the pool when you’re finished. An internet connection is needed to check a license in or out, but once it’s assigned to your machine, you can keep working even if you go offline.

This is the right fit if:

• You regularly switch between two or more computers — a desktop and a laptop, an office PC and a home PC, etc.
• You don’t want to deal with manually deactivating and reactivating a Single License every time you switch machines
• Your team works across multiple offices, works remotely, or isn’t all on the same local network

3. Network License (NLM) — For Teams That Share Seats Locally

The Network License Manager (NLM) is built for teams where more people might need CAD than actually use it simultaneously. Instead of buying a license for every individual, you buy a license for every concurrent user.

Here’s how it works in practice: progeCAD can be installed on as many computers across your office or network as you like. However, only as many people can run it at the same time as you have purchased NLM seats. For example, with 8 NLM licenses and 10 installed PCs, all 10 people have progeCAD available — but only 8 can be actively working in it at any given moment.

A lightweight NLM server manages this license pool. It doesn’t need to be installed on a dedicated machine — most companies just run it on an existing office computer (often the system administrator’s) — and it uses minimal disk space and no special hardware.

This is the right fit if:

• You have more employees who might need CAD than employees who need it all day, every day
• Your team works in shifts, on rotating projects, or only touches CAD occasionally
• You want the flexibility to install broadly but pay only for actual concurrent usage
• You need a seat to travel — NLM licenses can be temporarily checked out to a laptop and used offline, then returned to the pool

Network licensing is typically the more cost-efficient option for organizations with multiple users on the same local network who don’t all need simultaneous access.

Corporate & Site Licensing — For Larger-Scale Deployments

Beyond these three core models, progeCAD also offers Corporate-level agreements for organizations with high user counts or multiple locations:

• Corporate Site License — Unlimited users under one company name, within a single physical location or business unit
• Corporate Country/Global License — Unlimited users under one company name across an entire country, or globally by arrangement

These agreements remove the “count your seats” math altogether, and pricing is customized to the size and structure of your organization. If this sounds like a fit for your company, contact us and we’ll work out a plan that matches your deployment.

A Note on iCARE Support & Updates

Regardless of which license type you choose, it’s worth understanding iCARE — progeCAD’s optional annual subscription for support and updates. iCARE isn’t a licensing model itself (your license is still a one-time, perpetual purchase with no forced renewal), but rather an add-on maintenance program. Subscribers get all software updates and new version releases for the year, along with premium technical support. It’s a way to stay current without being locked into a subscription-only pricing model — you own your license either way.

Mix and Match as You Grow

One of the more practical aspects of progeCAD’s licensing structure is that these models aren’t mutually exclusive. Many companies combine Single Licenses for their power users who need CAD every day with a pool of Network or Flex Licenses for occasional or remote users — giving you the flexibility to right-size your CAD spend as your team changes.

Try Before You License

Not sure which option makes sense for your team? The best way to find out is to try progeCAD yourself. You can download a free, fully functional 30-day trial and test it against your real workflows before committing to a license type:

Whether you’re a solo drafter, a growing firm, or a multi-site enterprise, there’s a progeCAD licensing model built to fit — without the recurring subscription costs of other CAD platforms.