Dassault Systèmes licensing

Dassault Systèmes licensing is the set of licensing schemes and pricing structures under which Dassault Systèmes (3DS) sells SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Every order is governed by a base agreement, in the United States the Customer License and Online Services Agreement (CLOSA), together with the Offering Specific Terms (OST) for the release that was delivered, the Product Portfolio and the support policies published on 3ds.com.^[1][12] The OST names a licensing scheme for each offering (who or what may use it) and a pricing structure (how long, and whether support is bundled). SOLIDWORKS Desktop 2026 uses Single User (Standalone) and SolidNetWork (SNL).^[2] CATIA V5-6R2026 uses Add-on, Concurrent (or Floating) Based, Machine (or node-lock) Based and System License.^[5] 3DEXPERIENCE R2026x adds Named User Based, Casual Named User Based, Token Based and Credit Based.^[3]

Editions

3DS publishes one OST per brand and release. Which OST applies is fixed at delivery: “The applicable OST for a specific Release will be the one applicable for the specific Release at the time of the initial delivery.”^[1] The Transaction Document sets the licensing scheme, quantities, duration and geographic scope for each offering.^[1]

The SOLIDWORKS OST lists bundles by edition. Design Professional and Design Premium include one SolidNetWork license of SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard CAD Editor and one Visualize Standard license. Design Standard does not include those two.^[2] Packaged Offerings “with Cloud Services” add 3DEXPERIENCE Online Services, which may be used only by a user authorized on the matching desktop Licensed Program. For perpetual licenses, access requires the customer to be current on ALC.^[2][5] 3DS publishes no public list prices in the documents cited here. SKU rows therefore carry product numbers only.

Metrics

The catalog stores each 3DS licensing scheme as a metric row under its 3DS name. The definitions are quoted on the rows; this section only maps them.

The 3DS Named User is a person identified “with a unique username and password to use the 3DS Offering from a single machine at any given time.”^[3] That is narrower than a device-independent user license: the credentials may be used on only one machine at a time. See Named user licensing for the cross-vendor comparison. SolidNetWork and Concurrent Based are floating models; see Concurrent and device licensing.

Counting / floors

Named User Based (OST dated November 2025). Named Users may not share credentials. Automated or “user agent” programs serving multiple users are prohibited. A Named User may be replaced only to reflect permanent personnel changes, within the number of rights granted. On request, the customer must sign a list of Named Users and system locations and hand over unedited output from any 3DS usage utility.^[3] Catalog proof: Named Users may not share credentials; replacement only for permanent personnel change (backs Named Users may not share credentials; replacement only for permanent personnel change).

Casual Named User: 40 hours per calendar month (November 2025). Use by a Casual Named User “shall not exceed forty (40) hours per calendar month unless otherwise stated” in the Transaction Document or Product Portfolio.^[3][4] Catalog proof: Casual Named User capped at 40 hours per calendar month (backs Casual Named User capped at 40 hours per calendar month).

Concurrent (or Floating) Based (February 2026). Use is authorized “for a maximum number of simultaneous Users.” Licenses are authenticated on a License Server, which makes tokens available to other Machines.^[5] Count the peak number of simultaneous users per Licensed Program. Catalog proof: Concurrent (or Floating) Based: simultaneous users may not exceed licenses (backs Concurrent (or Floating) Based: simultaneous users may not exceed licenses).

SolidNetWork: concurrent cap, per-country server, one-time server fee (November 2025). SNL offerings must be installed on a network server. “The total number of licenses used at a time cannot exceed the total number of Customer-acquired licenses.” One server may serve several countries only if each license is bought for its country of use and all of those countries are in the server’s territory. The OST names three territories: Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and the rest of Asia/Australia. Each network server carries a one-time fee.^[2] The SolidNetWork License Manager “is based on FlexNet Publisher” license management.^[9] Catalog proof: SolidNetWork licenses: concurrent cap, one country or territory per server, one-time server fee (backs SolidNetWork licenses: concurrent cap, one country or territory per server, one-time server fee).

Single User (Standalone): one Machine (November 2025). A standalone license “is authorized for use on a single Machine.” Add-on licenses must be installed on the same machine as the offering. If the Machine changes, the customer contacts 3DS to update activation data.^[2] Product help describes the same move as deactivating the license in SOLIDWORKS and reactivating it on the new computer.^[11] Catalog proof: SOLIDWORKS Single User (Standalone): one Machine per license; Machine change through 3DS (backs SOLIDWORKS Single User (Standalone): one Machine per license; Machine change through 3DS).

Annual reactivation (November 2025). Every SOLIDWORKS 2026 license must be reactivated one year after activation and at every one-year interval after that. If the activation expires, the software stops working until it is reactivated. The OST adds that this “does not affect the perpetual license right to use granted under the PLC pricing structure.”^[2][11] Catalog proof: SOLIDWORKS licenses must be reactivated every year (backs SOLIDWORKS licenses must be reactivated every year).

Token Based: reserved per use, returned to the pool (November 2025). “Tokens are reserved for one (1) use at a time and when released, are available for other uses.” The Product Portfolio sets the tokens each use needs, and 3DS may change that number when the offering changes. For 3DEXPERIENCE Simulation, the number of concurrent Simulation Jobs equals the tokens held divided by the tokens each job needs. Token Based Simulation offerings may be used only by Users whose usual workplace is one customer facility where the programs are deployed.^[3] Catalog proof: Token Based: tokens are reserved per use and returned to the pool (backs Token Based: tokens are reserved per use and returned to the pool).

Credit Based: consumed, expiring each term year (November 2025). Credits are “for a one-time use (consumable and not reusable) and not refundable.” They are pro-rated to the term. On terms of one year or less, all credits are issued up front and expire at the end of the term. On longer terms, credits are issued each year and expire at the end of that year.^[3] Catalog proof: Credit Based: credits are consumed and expire at the end of each term year (backs Credit Based: credits are consumed and expire at the end of each term year).

3DEXPERIENCE platform minimums (November 2025). To access a cloud Platform, the customer must be paid up on at least one Named User Based offering from Table 01 of the Online Services OST. To access a virtual private cloud, it needs one Virtual Private Environment (6MP-XVP-OP) under System License plus at least one hundred Named User Based offerings from Table 02.^[4] A System License may itself require a minimum number of Named User rights.^[3] Catalog proof: 3DEXPERIENCE platform access requires Named User minimums (1 for cloud; 100 plus VPE for private cloud) (backs 3DEXPERIENCE platform access requires Named User minimums (1 for cloud; 100 plus VPE for private cloud)).

Geographic scope (February 2026). Licenses are granted for use only in the country or countries of order. Users whose usual workplace is in that country may take the software on business trips of up to thirty consecutive days. 3DS may authorize Remote Access case by case.^[5] The SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE OSTs contain the same country rule; the SOLIDWORKS OST adds the SolidNetWork exceptions described in this section.^[2][3] Catalog proof: Use limited to the ordered country; business trips up to 30 consecutive days (backs Use limited to the ordered country; business trips up to 30 consecutive days).

Regional and Worldwide SolidNetWork (November 2025). With 3DS approval, a customer may convert an SNL license to a Regional SolidNetWork license, which floats within one territory. A Worldwide SolidNetWork license floats anywhere and also requires the customer to be current on ALC. Either conversion may require additional terms and fees.^[2] Catalog proof: Regional and Worldwide SolidNetWork conversion requires 3DS approval (backs Regional and Worldwide SolidNetWork conversion requires 3DS approval).

Borrowing. A SolidNetWork license can be borrowed for “up to 30 days (or as defined by the system administrator).” A borrowed license is tied to the user and machine that borrowed it and stays out of the pool until it is returned.^[10] This is undated product help. The catalog rule carries its retrieval date, 26 September 2026. Catalog proof: SolidNetWork licenses can be borrowed for up to 30 days (backs SolidNetWork licenses can be borrowed for up to 30 days).

Compliance verification (CLOSA V13.1.1). The customer must produce records within three business days and give machine access within two. Unauthorized use is billed “at the then-current list price.” If unauthorized use is 5% or more of authorized use, the customer also reimburses the cost of the audit.^[1] Catalog proof: Compliance verification: list price for unauthorized use; audit costs at 5% or more (backs Compliance verification: list price for unauthorized use; audit costs at 5% or more). See Software license audit.

Transfer (CLOSA V13.1.1). Assignment or transfer, including by merger or change of control, requires 3DS’s prior written approval. “Any approved transfer of licenses may be subject to an adjustment fee.”^[1] Catalog proof: License transfer or assignment requires 3DS written approval and may carry an adjustment fee (backs License transfer or assignment requires 3DS written approval and may carry an adjustment fee).

Virtualization & partitioning

None of the OSTs cited here defines a per-host, per-core, per-socket or partitioning rule. The licensing scheme on the Transaction Document applies unchanged inside a virtual machine.^[2][5] The OST definition of “Machine” covers devices the customer owns or controls, devices its IT charter authorizes, and devices a third party service provider operates solely for the customer where the Agreement allows.^[5]

For support, SOLIDWORKS publishes the hypervisors it supports for each release. The SOLIDWORKS 2026 list is VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.3 U3g, VMware Workstation 17.6.4, Microsoft Hyper-V 2025 and Parallels Desktop for Mac 26.0.1. SOLIDWORKS Composer “is not supported in virtualized environments.”^[8] This list is a support statement, not a license grant. Catalog proof: SOLIDWORKS virtualization: supported hypervisors listed; Composer not supported (backs SOLIDWORKS virtualization: supported hypervisors listed; Composer not supported). For the general concepts, see Virtualization and partitioning.

Cloud / BYOL

CLOSA §14.3 lets the customer run Licensed Programs on machines operated by “a well-established third party service provider” that hosts them solely for the customer, on three conditions. Only authorized users may use the programs. The provider may grant access only to deliver that service. The provider may not belong to a group that competes with 3DS Offerings.^[1] 3DS publishes no vCPU or core conversion for this bring-your-own-license use. Catalog proof: Third party hosting allowed on a well-established provider that does not compete with 3DS (backs Third party hosting allowed on a well-established provider that does not compete with 3DS).

3DS’s own cloud is the 3DEXPERIENCE Online Services, governed by a separate OST with its own pricing structures and the platform minimums described above.^[4] Under PSC/ASC, a customer may give up online access and install the functionally equivalent Release on its own Machines, if 3DS offers that option generally. “Any such use is perpetual.”^[4] See Cloud BYOL.

Programs

Renewal pricing (index table last modified 2025-12-05). An ALC or YLC renewal costs the previous year’s price plus the last published country increase. The increase must be published at least 90 days before renewal and is capped by the reference price index.^[2] For the United States, the price page lists increases of 3.00% on 1 July 2024 and 2.50% on 1 July 2025, and a planned 2.50% on 1 July 2026, against CPI-U.^[7] Catalog proof: ALC and YLC renewal increases follow the published country index table (backs ALC and YLC renewal increases follow the published country index table).

Reinstatement (policy of 5 December 2025). Lapsed Support Services under PLC/ALC or TBL/ALC can be reinstated only for all licenses of the Licensed Program. The customer pays the back fees plus a reinstatement fee of fifty percent of those fees.^[6] Catalog proof: Support reinstatement: all licenses of the program, back fees plus 50% (backs Support reinstatement: all licenses of the program, back fees plus 50%). See Software maintenance and support.

Fixed-term licenses renew automatically unless the customer gives thirty days’ notice. A perpetual license may be terminated on thirty days’ notice.^[1] No enterprise agreement, token-bank or unlimited program appears in the documents cited here.

Out of scope

• List prices. 3DS does not publish them in the cited terms; SKU rows carry product numbers only.
• Product Portfolio values. The portfolio decides each offering’s licensing scheme and token or credit quantities. The portfolio page is rendered by script and was not captured as catalog rows.
• DSLS and FlexNet administration. Dassault Systèmes License Server (DSLS) documentation for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE was not retrieved for this article.
• Country-specific agreements other than the US Indirect CLOSA V13.1.1, and executed customer-specific terms.
• Other brands with their own OSTs, such as Abaqus (SIMULIA), BIOVIA, DraftSight, GEOVIA and MEDIDATA, unless named above.
• Academic and research editions (SOLIDWORKS EDU and Research packages).
• Blogs, reseller or VAR pages, SAM-tool vendor content and forums.

Catalog rows

Catalog rows for this article, grouped by table.

• Metrics
  • Named User Based
  • Casual Named User Based
  • Concurrent (or Floating) Based
  • Machine (or node-lock) Based
  • Token Based
  • Credit Based
  • System License
  • Add-on
  • Extended Enterprise Named User
  • Business Experience - Usage Based
  • Single User (Standalone)
  • SolidNetWork (SNL)
• Rules
  • Named Users may not share credentials; replacement only for permanent personnel change
  • Casual Named User capped at 40 hours per calendar month
  • Concurrent (or Floating) Based: simultaneous users may not exceed licenses
  • SolidNetWork licenses: concurrent cap, one country or territory per server, one-time server fee
  • Regional and Worldwide SolidNetWork conversion requires 3DS approval
  • SOLIDWORKS Single User (Standalone): one Machine per license; Machine change through 3DS
  • SOLIDWORKS licenses must be reactivated every year
  • Token Based: tokens are reserved per use and returned to the pool
  • Credit Based: credits are consumed and expire at the end of each term year
  • Use limited to the ordered country; business trips up to 30 consecutive days
  • 3DEXPERIENCE platform access requires Named User minimums (1 for cloud; 100 plus VPE for private cloud)
  • Third party hosting allowed on a well-established provider that does not compete with 3DS
  • Compliance verification: list price for unauthorized use; audit costs at 5% or more
  • SOLIDWORKS virtualization: supported hypervisors listed; Composer not supported
  • SolidNetWork licenses can be borrowed for up to 30 days
  • License transfer or assignment requires 3DS written approval and may carry an adjustment fee
  • Support reinstatement: all licenses of the program, back fees plus 50%
  • ALC and YLC renewal increases follow the published country index table
• Programs
  • PLC/ALC (perpetual license with Annual License Charge)
  • YLC and QLC (yearly and quarterly license charges)
  • TBL/ALC (term based license)
  • 3DEXPERIENCE Online Services pricing structures (PSC/ASC, TSC/ASC, YSC, QSC)
  • Support Services for Licensed Programs
• SKUs
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Standard
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Professional
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Premium
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Standard Network
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Professional Network
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Premium Network
  • SOLIDWORKS Design Premium Global Network
  • CATIA with Cloud Services
• Sources
  • Customer License and Online Services Agreement (CLOSA Indirect US V13.1.1)
  • Offering Specific Terms for SOLIDWORKS Desktop Release 2026
  • Offering Specific Terms for 3DEXPERIENCE R2026x Licensed Programs
  • Offering Specific Terms for 3DEXPERIENCE R2026x Online Services
  • Offering Specific Terms for CATIA, ENOVIA, DELMIA and SIMULIA V5-6R2026
  • Customer Support Services Policies for Dassault Systèmes Licensed Programs
  • ALC/YLC Renewal Price Increase (3ds.com/terms/price)
  • SOLIDWORKS System Requirements (Hardware and Hypervisors)
  • SOLIDWORKS 2026 Help: Administering Licenses Using a SolidNetWork License Manager
  • SOLIDWORKS 2026 Help: Borrowing and Returning SolidNetWork Licenses
  • SOLIDWORKS 2026 Help: Administering Individual Licenses