Minitab licensing is the set of terms under which Minitab, LLC sells its statistical, quality-improvement, data-integration and simulation software. The products include Minitab Statistical Software, the Minitab Solution Center, Minitab Workspace, Minitab Engage, Minitab Connect, Real-Time SPC, Minitab Model Ops, Minitab Education Hub, Simul8, Prolink and the Salford Predictive Modeler (SPM).[1] Minitab states that its products “are licensed or subscribed”. The published agreement for each product applies unless the customer has another agreement directly with Minitab that controls its use.[1] For most products that agreement is the Minitab Software Subscription Agreement. It grants a non-sublicensable, non-transferable, non-assignable, worldwide, non-exclusive right to use the software listed on the invoice during the Subscription Term.[2]
Customers meet three licensing models in practice. The first is Named User-Based subscriptions, managed in the cloud-based Minitab License Portal.[2][11] The second is multi-user desktop licences, where concurrent seats are served by Minitab License Manager.[4] The third is single-user desktop subscriptions activated with a product key.[6] The Subscriptions and Activation page invites customers to manage their “single or multi-user subscriptions”.[10] See named user licensing and concurrent and device licensing for the general models.
Editions
Minitab’s public price list sells the Minitab Solution Center in three plans. Each is a “single named user annual subscription” that includes online and desktop access to Minitab Statistical Software.[3]
| Plan | US list price per year | Adds to standard capabilities | Catalog SKU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minitab Solution Center Core | USD 2,394.00[3] | Minitab DOE by Effex, Minitab Workspace | Core |
| Minitab Solution Center Analytics | USD 2,593.50[3] | Minitab DOE by Effex, Minitab Predictive Analytics | Analytics |
| Minitab Solution Center Copilot | USD 2,793.00[3] | Minitab DOE by Effex, Minitab Workspace, Minitab Predictive Analytics | Copilot |
| Minitab Modules (each) | USD 528[3] | Industry or role module; requires Solution Center Core | Module |
The standard capabilities in every plan are Minitab Dashboards, Minitab Data Center, Minitab Statistical Software, AI-powered interpretation and Minitab Brainstorm.[3] Simul8 is sold as Simul8 Project, Simul8 Business and Simul8 Twin, priced through sales. Minitab Connect, Minitab Engage, Minitab Model Ops, Real-Time SPC and SPM are also sold through sales.[3] Minitab Connect and Real-Time SPC have their own version of the SSA. It requires an Order Form signed by both parties and a minimum level of paid Professional Services for configuration.[9] Catalog: Connect and Real-Time SPC need an executed Order Form and Professional Services.
Metrics
| Minitab term | Catalog row | What is counted |
|---|---|---|
| Named User-Based subscription | Named User (Authorized User) | Individual users, each with a unique user ID, up to the number on the invoice[2] |
| Multi-user desktop licence | Multi-user seat | Concurrent users served by Minitab License Manager; up to three installations per seat[4] |
| Single-user desktop subscription | Single-user desktop subscription | One product key per computer[6] |
| Minitab Module | Minitab Module | Annual add-on per Solution Center Core subscription[3] |
A desktop installation shows which model it uses through its licensing property. LICENSE_PORTAL means sign-in to an online account (Minitab 20 or later). PRODUCT_KEY means a single-user product key, LICENSE_SERVER a multi-user License Manager, and FILE_LOC a licence file. If none is set, the free trial is installed.[8] Catalog: Four desktop licensing methods at deployment.
Counting / floors
Named users. An Authorized User is a uniquely named natural person, who may be an employee, an employee of an entity the customer owns more than 50% of, a contractor’s employee, or a student or teacher for Academic Purposes.[2] Each needs a unique user ID. Departmental or alias IDs are not allowed, credentials must not be shared, and users may be reassigned only once in any 90-day period except for personnel changes.[2] Details are in Minitab License Portal and named user subscriptions.
Multi-user seats. Minitab License Manager ensures that concurrent users never exceed the licensed number of seats. The client software can be installed on up to three workstations for each seat.[4] Minitab’s support policy calls the License Manager part of “legacy multi-user installations”.[5] See Minitab multi-user licensing and License Manager.
Single-user subscriptions. A unique product key is used on each computer.[6] Orders of more than 24 subscriptions are handled by Minitab Sales.[6]
Floors and true-up. The invoice states the maximum number of Authorized Users. Users can be added during a term by paying for the remaining months, but payment obligations are non-cancelable and fees non-refundable, and the SSA provides no mid-term reduction.[2] Catalog: Users can be added mid-term at pro-rated fees; fees non-refundable.
Virtualization & partitioning
The SSA has no processor or virtualization metric. It states only that “the use of locally installed Software within virtualized environments will be at Your own risk”.[2] The SSA also bars using the software in a service bureau or outsourcing offering, or in any service for the benefit of a third party.[2] Catalog: Locally installed software in virtual environments is at the customer's risk; No service bureau, outsourcing or third-party access. See virtualization and partitioning.
Cloud / BYOL
Minitab’s cloud products are offered as Minitab-hosted web apps: the Minitab Statistical Software web app, Engage, Connect, Real-Time SPC, Model Ops and Education Hub. The support policy gives them no end-of-support date.[5] A Solution Center named user subscription covers both the web app and the desktop app for the same person.[3] Customer content in software that stores it is deleted 30 days after the subscription expires or is terminated, unless agreed otherwise.[2] No bring-your-own-licence cloud rules are published.
Programs
- Academic pricing. A subscribing entity must be an accredited, degree-granting institution. Individual faculty and students need current proof of academic affiliation, and continuing-education and certification programs do not qualify.[7] Academic discounts are not available in the Minitab Store. Students and faculty can rent Minitab Statistical Software and Workspace through OnTheHub.[6]
- Government pricing (GSA). Available to US federal, state and local agencies under GSA contract GS-35F-0144U.[6]
- Free trial. Valid for 14 days from activation and cannot be extended.[6] Trial versions may not be used for development, production, distribution or commercial purposes.[2]
- Technical Support. Available to customers current on their subscription, or on maintenance for perpetual licences. It covers the current release and one year after the release is no longer widely distributed.[5]
Contract terms
The SSA’s verification clause lets Minitab audit at its own expense during the term and for one year after. Unlicensed use must be licensed at then-current prices from the date it began, and a shortfall of 5% or more also makes the customer pay Minitab’s verification costs.[2] Late payment costs 2% of the term fee or USD 750, whichever is higher. The agreement is governed by Pennsylvania law.[2] Direct purchases follow Minitab’s regional payment terms, for example net 30 days in the US and Canada subject to credit approval. Store purchases are processed by cleverbridge AG under its own terms.[7][1] Full clause analysis is in Minitab Software Subscription Agreement. Catalog: Audit during the term and one year after; 5% shortfall shifts costs.
Out of scope
This article does not cover the Salford Predictive Modeler, which has its own EULA and local license server,[1][10] or Prolink, which has a separate subscription agreement.[1] It also does not cover Minitab training, consulting and Professional Services, or the Minitab data processing agreement.