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Citrix User/device, Concurrent, and Flex licensing

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This article covers Citrix / Cloud Software Group license meters that official product terms and docs actually name (User/device, Concurrent, Per user, Per device, User, Device, Named user, Flex Credit, NetScaler software instance and bandwidth, NetScaler vCPU, CICO, RBI pooled User hours, Per socket, Universal license). It is not legal advice. EUA Version 2.4, Business Unit Terms, Product specific terms, and docs.citrix.com / docs.netscaler.com retrieved 31 August 2026 are the quoted sources. Flex Credit persona integers are not published in the cited pages. Do not treat this page as a substitute for the executed Order.

On This Page

Citrix User/device, Concurrent, and Flex licensing is how Cloud Software Group sells Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Citrix DaaS, and current commercial packages (Universal Hybrid Multi-Cloud, Citrix Platform, Citrix Platform Flex, Citrix for Private Cloud).[3] On-premises CVAD still names User/device and Concurrent (License types, 5 August 2026).[4] Current UHMC / Platform Unit Type is User.[3][2] Platform Flex is User, restricted by Flex Credits.[2] File-based licensing is End of Life 15 April 2026; License Activation Service is an activation architecture, not a purchase meter.[7][8] Citrix published no Concurrent ↔ User/device conversion.

Current packaging

Product specific terms (not stamped): current offerings Unit Type is User for Universal Hybrid Multi-Cloud, Citrix Platform, Citrix Platform Flex, and Citrix for Private Cloud. NetScaler Fixed Capacity has a blank Unit Type cell; notes: “NetScaler throughput capacity and instances are purchased individually.”[3]

Gateway FAQ (6 September 2025): “The Citrix Universal subscription is no longer available for renewals or contract extensions and the customers are moved to UHMC and CPL subscription during renewal.”[11] Record Universal as a still-published alias, not a current renewal SKU.

UHMC notes (product.html): includes Citrix DaaS Local (formerly Virtual Apps and Desktops) and DaaS Cloud (formerly Citrix DaaS).[3] Bundle entitlements on that page include 999 NetScaler software instances of each listed form factor, maximum NetScaler throughput 1000 Gbps, and 10,000 XenServer CPU socket licenses.[3] Those are package notes, not per-User ratios.

Citrix Platform notes: “Customer shall receive 5 Gbps Gateway Service.”[3] Gateway FAQ UHMC/CPL quota is 2.5 GB per user per month (User and Concurrent user licensing).[11] Citrix publishes no conversion between the 2.5 GB/user/month quota and the 5 Gbps figure.

EUA Version 2.4 §15.4 precedence: “(1) an Order, (2) the Business Unit Terms, and (3) this End User Agreement.”[1] Product.html: if a SKU description conflicts with the public table, the SKU description controls.[3]

Metrics

The catalog has fifteen rows for Citrix, each under Citrix’s own name. License Activation Service, editions, term, overdraft, burst, and Gateway service GB/user/month quotas are not separate metrics. Universal license (NetScaler Gateway concurrent sessions) is distinct from the retired Universal Subscription packaging alias.

# Citrix name Catalog row Unit What Citrix says 
1 User/device User/device Other License Server dynamically assigns to a user or a device. Default is user. Device when two or more users share an exclusive endpoint. 90-day assignment. Not the same as Per user or Per device.[4][9] 
2 Concurrent Concurrent Device Based on originating endpoint deviceID. We don’t license per session. DaaS Concurrent User counts unique devices accessing simultaneously. Virtual Apps is Concurrent only. No 10% overdraft.[4][10][6] 
3 Per user Per user User Only user licenses and not the same as user/device licenses. Unique user ID; assigned to the User, not the devices.[4] 
4 Per device Per device Device Only device licenses and not the same as user/device licenses. Unique device ID; unlimited users per device.[4] 
5 User User User BUT unique individual for UHMC, Citrix Platform, Platform Flex / Flex Delta, and Private Cloud. Designated on earlier of authorization or access. Existing-customer new User orders classified Concurrent if prior entitlement was Concurrent — except Platform Flex.[2] 
6 Device Device Device Legacy SaaS/software footnote still on product.html. A device authorized to be used by any individual(s). Current UHMC/CPL Unit Type is User.[3] 
7 Named user Named user User Legacy checkout until a preconfigured period expires; not tied to a computer or device. XenApp Fundamentals offered only under Named User. Period not quantified except as preconfigured.[4][3] 
8 Flex Credit Flex Credit Other Platform Flex / Flex Delta aggregate Number of Units. Deducted monthly by unique Users per Personas in the Documentation. Configured persona consumes credits even if unused. Persona integers are not published in the cited pages.[2][13] 
9 NetScaler software instance NetScaler software instance Other Flexed/Pooled software instance checkout (VPX/CPX/BLX). VPX checks out instance and bandwidth. CPX ≤1 Gbps checks out 1 instance and no bandwidth. UHMC/Platform notes 999 instances per listed form factor — not a per-User ratio. Hardware MPX/SDX skipped as HAM.[14][3] 
10 NetScaler bandwidth NetScaler bandwidth Other Shared throughput pool. Flexed adds bandwidth in multiples of 10 Mbps. UHMC max 1000 Gbps. Citrix Platform: unlimited throughput with usage limited to the licensed Customer. No vCPU ↔ bandwidth conversion is published.[14][3] 
11 NetScaler vCPU NetScaler vCPU vCPU Legacy. Specifies CPUs a VPX is entitled to; idle CPUs not counted. No longer available for purchase. Not LAS-supported.[15][14] 
12 CICO CICO Other Legacy VPX check-in / check-out from NetScaler Console when an instance is provisioned or destroyed. Not LAS-supported. Not Flexed instance.[16][14] 
13 RBI pooled User hours RBI pooled User hours Other Minimum 25 users → 5,000 pooled hours. More users do not increase hours; buy add-on packs. Product.html: 5,000 User hours measured as pooled consumption.[5][3] 
14 Per socket Per socket Socket Citrix Hypervisor / XenServer. Sockets counted; cores are not. product.html Hypervisor footnote: populated CPU sockets. App-delivery footnote on the same page says sockets regardless of CPU; Citrix has not published which applies. UHMC/Platform include 10,000 XenServer CPU socket licenses.[4][3] 
15 Universal license Universal license Other NetScaler Gateway: concurrent user sessions capped at licenses purchased (Standard edition example: 500). Platform license alone allows unlimited ICA Proxy; Universal required for VPN/SmartAccess and advanced features. Not Gateway service GB/user/month. Not Universal Subscription packaging. No Universal↔UHMC conversion is published.[20] 

Names that are not separate catalog rows

  • License Activation Service (LAS). “LAS is a licensing mechanism, not a license type.” “LAS does not limit a product’s capacity or usage.” File-based EOL 15 April 2026. Migrating a CVAD site sets Product Edition to Premium and License Model to Concurrent — site configuration, not a published entitlement conversion.[8][7]
  • Gateway service bandwidth (GB per user per month). UHMC/CPL: 2.5 GB per user per month for User licensing and for Concurrent user licensing. Legacy Universal Advance 1 GB (User) / 2 GB (Concurrent); Premium 5 GB (User) / 10 GB (Concurrent). Not enforced in production; bandwidth-only SKU discontinued. Counting rule on User / Concurrent, not a separate metric, and not convertible to the 5 Gbps Gateway Service note on Citrix Platform.[11]
  • License overdraft (10%). Convenience, not an entitlement, on on-prem user/device, user, or device. Concurrent and server licenses do not contain overdraft. Purchase used overdraft within 30 days of first use.[4]
  • License burst mode (15 consecutive days). CVAD convenience. Not applicable to LAS-activated License Servers. Not a repurchase grace on expiry.[4]
  • License caching (LAS). License Server has 30 days to reconnect to LAS; product has 30 days to restore connection to License Server.[8]
  • Editions Standard / Advanced / Premium / Plus. Product editions, not meters. Premium Plus “triple Concurrent” is only for Security & Performance Analytics on the Universal Premium Plus Concurrent footnote.[3]
  • On-premises subscription / Term. Time-bound grant (FAQ: 1–5 years). Unit Type remains User/device or Concurrent.[4]
  • Universal Subscription package. Alias. No longer available for renewals; customers moved to UHMC and CPL. TTU replaces rescinded on-prem licenses with destination-model licenses — not a general CCU→U/D formula. Not the same as Gateway Universal license (catalog row 15).[11][17]
  • Concurrent Session (Provisioning Services). product.html: exclusive to Provisioning Services; not a CVAD Concurrent alias.[3]
  • Gateway Platform license. Unlimited ICA Proxy unlock; not a countable user meter. Distinct from Universal license (Gateway concurrent sessions for VPN/SmartAccess).[20]
  • Hardware MPX/SDX / Z-cap appliance SKUs. HAM; skipped.

Counting / floors

User/device 90-day lease. Assignment begins when a connection is established and renews during the life of the connection. The lease expires 90 days after the last connected user or device disconnects.[4] DaaS User/Device: Citrix Cloud counts unique users and unique devices and uses the lesser of those counts.[9] Catalog proof: User/device vs Concurrent counting definitions (backs User/device vs Concurrent counting definitions).

User/device buy formula (FAQ, not a CCU conversion). (total users) − (users that only access exclusively with shared devices) + (shared devices).[5]

No Standard Edition conversion. You cannot convert Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition concurrent licenses to user/device licenses, or the reverse.[5]

Concurrent is deviceID, not session. One originating endpoint, many sessions, one license. Logoff/disconnect checks in.[4] DaaS Concurrent User: unique devices accessing simultaneously; release on logoff/disconnect.[10] Cloud does not prevent launches if usage exceeds purchased licenses.[citation needed] Same Evidence/Rule pair as User/device vs Concurrent above.

Per user / Per device (distinct from User/device). Only user licenses or only device licenses; not the same as user/device. Unique user ID or unique device ID; 90-day assignment.[4] Catalog proof: Per user / Per device 90-day assignment (distinct from User/device) (backs Per user / Per device 90-day assignment (distinct from User/device)).

Named user (legacy). Checked out until a preconfigured period expires; not tied to a computer or device; multiple sessions without extra check-outs.[4] Catalog proof: Named user legacy checkout (backs Named user legacy checkout).

Web Studio models (17 December 2025). Virtual Apps: Concurrent only (Premium, Advanced, Standard). Virtual Desktops: User/Device and Concurrent.[6] Multi-type licensing: LAS does not support multi-type; delivery group-level overrides are deprecated; site-level only.[24]

BUT User grandfather. Existing customers: new User orders classified as Concurrent if the most recent existing entitlement was Concurrent, unless the Order says otherwise.[2] No Concurrent on Platform Flex / Flex Delta.[2]

License overdraft (+10%). Convenience, not an entitlement, on on-prem user/device, user, or device. Concurrent and server licenses do not contain overdraft. Purchase used overdraft within 30 days of first use.[4] Catalog proof: License overdraft +10% (backs License overdraft +10%).

License burst mode (15 consecutive days). CVAD convenience. Not applicable to LAS-activated License Servers. Not a repurchase grace on expiry.[4] Catalog proof: License burst mode — unlimited connections 15 consecutive days (backs License burst mode — unlimited connections 15 consecutive days).

Flex Credit. Monthly deduction by configured unique users per Persona, including unused configured personas. Leftover credits forfeit at Term End.[13][2] Persona integer rates are not published in the cited pages. Platform Flex Delta is named in BUT with no public meter definition beyond Flex Credits language.[2] Catalog proof: Flex Credit consumption (Platform Flex) (backs Flex Credit consumption (Platform Flex)).

NetScaler Flexed / Pooled. Bandwidth add in multiples of 10 Mbps. CPX ≤1 Gbps: 1 instance, no bandwidth. LAS is the activation path after 15 April 2026 for Flexed, legacy Pooled, and Fixed term Bandwidth. Pooled vCPU, CICO, and perpetual are not LAS-supported.[14] Catalog proof: NetScaler Pooled/Flexed — instance + bandwidth checkout (backs NetScaler Pooled/Flexed — instance + bandwidth checkout).

NetScaler vCPU (legacy). Checkout by running CPUs; idle CPUs not counted. No longer available for purchase; not LAS-supported.[15][14] Catalog proof: NetScaler vCPU checkout by running CPUs (backs NetScaler vCPU checkout by running CPUs).

CICO. VPX checks out from NetScaler Console when provisioned; checks in when removed/destroyed. Not LAS-supported.[16][14] Catalog proof: CICO — NetScaler VPX check-in / check-out (backs CICO — NetScaler VPX check-in / check-out).

RBI. 25-user minimum → 5,000 pooled hours; more users do not increase hours.[5] Catalog proof: RBI pooled User hours (5,000 included) (backs RBI pooled User hours (5,000 included)).

Universal Subscription hybrid rights (TTU). Users/devices on Universal may use on-prem term and Citrix Cloud subscription licenses at the same time for the subscription duration. TTU rescinds perpetual and replaces with term-based matching destination — not a general CCU→U/D formula.[17] Catalog proof: Universal Subscription hybrid rights (on-prem + Cloud simultaneous) (backs Universal Subscription hybrid rights (on-prem + Cloud simultaneous)).

Multiplexing. A license is required for each User or Device connected to the multiplexing or pooling front end.[3]

Not published by Citrix: commercial conversions among Concurrent, User/device, Per user, Named user, and DaaS User; Flex Credit persona integers; a Universal license ↔ UHMC conversion.

Virtualization

Per socket: cores are not counted. Example on License types: two sockets and one CPU consume one license; two sockets with two CPUs consume two.[4] product.html Hypervisor footnote counts populated CPU sockets; the app-delivery footnote on the same page says sockets need licenses regardless of whether the socket contains a CPU.[3] Citrix has not published a resolution; the Hypervisor-specific footnote is the one written for XenServer. UHMC/Platform 10,000 included sockets is a bundle entitlement, not a hypervisor conversion from User.[3] No CCU↔User/device conversion for VDI density is published. Catalog proof: Per socket counting (Citrix Hypervisor) (backs Per socket counting (Citrix Hypervisor)).

LAS does not require a check-out to track individual licenses; real-time usage metrics are not available within the License Server or Citrix Cloud for LAS activations.[8]

Cloud / DaaS

Citrix DaaS User/Device (6 September 2025): assigns when a unique user or unique device launches for the first time; 90-day assignment; lesser of unique users vs unique devices. If the active User/Device license expires and Concurrent is the only active type, the site license automatically switches to Concurrent.[9]

Citrix DaaS Concurrent User (21 August 2026): assigns on launch; counts unique devices accessing simultaneously; releases on logoff or disconnect.[10]

UHMC Unit Type is User while Gateway FAQ still lists Concurrent user licensing quotas.[3][11] Both are current; which meter a given UHMC tenant is on depends on its Order.

Programs

The catalog lists no Citrix programs. TTU, Universal Subscription, Platform Flex, and LAS are described below but are not catalog programs.

  • Order / SKU description. Controls over the public Product specific terms table.[3]
  • Cloud Software Group Business Unit Terms (Citrix section). Unit Type, User, Flex Credits. Points product terms to https://www.citrix.com/buy/licensing/product.html. Not date-stamped.[2]
  • End User Agreement Version 2.4. Single EULA for on-premises software, hardware, and Cloud/SaaS. Authorized User, Number of Units, Subscription, Perpetual, Term.[1] https://www.cloud.com/content/dam/cloud/documents/legal/end-user-agreement.pdf
  • Cloud Services Terms. Incorporated by EUA §2.2. Acceptable use; not meter definitions.[1]
  • SaaS Service Descriptions. Last revised 6 March 2023. Supplement to the EUA; packaging names are stale vs 2026 UHMC/CPL.[19]
  • License Activation Service. Activation after file-based EOL 15 April 2026. Not a purchase meter.[7][8]
  • Transition and Trade-Up (TTU) with Citrix Universal Subscription (13 September 2025). Minimum 250 U/D or 100 CCU in the account. On-prem licenses subject to TTU are rescinded and replaced with term-based licenses matching the destination product, edition, and model.[17] The Advanced CCU → Universal Premium User/Device example is not a general conversion formula. Catalog proof for hybrid rights: Universal Subscription hybrid rights (on-prem + Cloud simultaneous).
  • Platform Flex / Flex Credits. A buying path, not a catalog program; the Flex Credit meter is catalog row 8. See Counting / floors.

Out of scope

  • Concurrent ↔ User/device ↔ Per user ↔ Named user ↔ DaaS User conversions.
  • Flex Credit integers per persona.
  • Universal license ↔ UHMC conversion (Gateway meter ≠ packaging alias).
  • 2.5 GB/user/month = 5 Gbps Gateway conversion.
  • 999 instances or 1000 Gbps as per-User ratios.
  • Session-based CVAD Concurrent.
  • 10% overdraft on Concurrent.
  • Burst on LAS or on expiry.
  • vCPU ↔ bandwidth or CICO ↔ Flexed.
  • LAS Premium+Concurrent as an entitlement conversion.
  • Universal still sold for renewal.
  • Premium Plus “triple Concurrent” except the Security & Performance Analytics footnote.
  • TTU / Universal / Platform Flex / LAS as catalog programs.
  • Hardware MPX/SDX / Z-cap list prices (HAM).
  • Product License Compliance Center (URL unresolved at retrieval).
  • Customer Order / SKU (paywalled).
  • Partner and reseller blogs and SAM tool vendor marketing.

Catalog rows

Sample catalog rows for this article, grouped by table.

References

  1. End User AgreementVersion 2.4. Copyright © 2026 Cloud Software Group Holdings, Inc. Authorized User; Number of Units; Subscription; precedence Order / BUT / EUA.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  2. Cloud Software Group Business Unit Termsnot stamped. Citrix Unit Type; User; Flex Credits; Platform Flex / Flex Delta.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  3. Licensing Models / Product specific termsnot stamped. Current Unit Type User; User/Device and Concurrent software models; Device footnote; UHMC/Platform bundle notes; multiplexing; overdraft convenience.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  4. License typeslast updated 5 August 2026. User/device; Concurrent; Per user; Per device; Per socket; Named user; 10% overdraft; 15-day burst.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  5. FAQ for licensinglast updated 22 April 2026. User/device vs Concurrent; buy formula; RBI 25 users / 5,000 hours; no Standard Edition conversion.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  6. Licensing for CVAD using Web Studiolast updated 17 December 2025. Virtual Apps Concurrent only; Virtual Desktops User/Device and Concurrent.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  7. License Activation Service (CVAD)last updated 22 April 2026. Migration sets site Premium + Concurrent; file-based EOL 15 April 2026.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  8. License Activation Service (Licensing)last updated 14 July 2026. LAS does not limit capacity or usage.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  9. Monitor licenses and active usage for Citrix DaaS (User/Device)6 September 2025. Lesser of unique users vs unique devices; 90-day assignment.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  10. Monitor licenses and peak usage for Citrix DaaS (Concurrent User)21 August 2026. Unique devices accessing simultaneously.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  11. FAQ | Citrix Gateway service6 September 2025. UHMC/CPL 2.5 GB per user per month; Universal no longer for renewal.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  12. Licensing for Citrix Platform Flex12 August 2026. Flex Credits; persona table referenced, integers not in HTML.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  13. Platform Flex Credit consumption and reporting12 August 2026. Configured unique users; leftover forfeited at Term End.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  14. Flexed capacity license17 June 2026. Instance + bandwidth; CPX ≤1 Gbps; 10 Mbps multiples; LAS vs vCPU/CICO.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  15. NetScaler virtual CPU licensing17 June 2026. No longer available for purchase; idle CPUs not counted.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  16. NetScaler VPX check-in and check-out licensingextract not stamped.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  17. Transition and Trade-Up (TTU) with Citrix Universal Subscription13 September 2025. 250 U/D or 100 CCU minimum; rescind-and-replace, not a general conversion.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  18. LICENSING FAQ: User/Device License Model for On-Premises Software Productsnot stamped.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  19. Service descriptions for Citrix serviceslast revised 6 March 2023.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  20. NetScaler Gateway licensing — Platform license and Universal licenselast updated 27 September 2025. Universal license concurrent sessions; Platform vs Universal.Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  21. NetScaler Pooled capacityRetrieved 2026-08-31.
  22. NetScaler Flexed licensingRetrieved 2026-08-31.
  23. NetScaler virtual CPU licensingRetrieved 2026-08-31.
  24. Multi-type licensing (Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2603)LAS does not support multi-type licensing; delivery group-level license overrides deprecated; site-level license settings only.Retrieved 2026-09-26.

See also

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