NetApp licensing is the set of terms under which NetApp licenses the software for its storage systems and clouds. This software includes the ONTAP operating system for AFF, ASA and FAS systems, the software-defined ONTAP Select, Cloud Volumes ONTAP in public clouds, NetApp data services such as Backup and Recovery and Cloud Tiering, and the Keystone storage-as-a-service subscription. NetApp publishes its contract terms as a layered set. The General Terms apply to any purchase or licence, whether made directly, through a partner or through a cloud provider, unless the customer has a separate written agreement. They are supplemented by Product Terms (Hardware and Software), Services Terms (Cloud, Support, Professional and Keystone) and Country Terms.[1][10] A separate End User License Agreement applies where no more specific written agreement covers the software.[3] The contracting party is NetApp, Inc., NetApp Ireland Unlimited Company or another NetApp affiliate.[1]
The licence itself is narrow. It is personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable, and it allows installation and use for the customer’s internal business purposes. The types, quantities and usage attributes are not stated in the terms. They come from the Documentation, the NetApp quotation or the partner’s documents.[2][3] For the general concepts, see entitlement and effective license position.
Editions
| Offering | How it is sold | Article |
|---|---|---|
| ONTAP on AFF and FAS | ONTAP One or ONTAP Base suite with each system since May 2023[4] | ONTAP and on-premises software |
| ONTAP on ASA | ONTAP One for SAN since June 2023[4] | same |
| ONTAP Select | Capacity Tiers (per node, perpetual capacity) or Capacity Pools (shared, term)[8] | same |
| Cloud Volumes ONTAP | Freemium, Essentials or Professional capacity packages; Keystone; legacy node-based[5] | Cloud Volumes ONTAP |
| Keystone STaaS | Committed capacity per performance service level plus burst[11] | Keystone |
The management console formerly called BlueXP has been the NetApp Console since 2025-10-06. Its “digital wallet”, where licences and subscriptions are tracked, is now called Licenses and subscriptions.[9]
Metrics
The Software Terms and the EULA define the licence types every entitlement falls under. A licence is either Controller-based, meaning bundled with a specific storage controller identified by serial number, or Standalone. It is then one or more of four types:[2]
| Type | Definition | Catalog row |
|---|---|---|
| Life-of-controller | Controller-based, for as long as the controller is operable | Life-of-controller |
| Perpetual | Standalone, in perpetuity | Rule NetApp licences are Life-of-controller, Perpetual, Term or Capacity |
| Term | Controller-based or Standalone, for a fixed period | Rule NetApp licences are Life-of-controller, Perpetual, Term or Capacity |
| Capacity | A specified amount of storage capacity or usage, measured as raw or provisioned capacity, number of hosts or another measure | Capacity licence |
Some products add their own units. Cloud Volumes ONTAP is charged per provisioned TiB pooled across a NetApp account.[5] ONTAP Select uses Capacity Tier and Capacity Pool licences of raw capacity.[8] Keystone bills Committed Capacity, Consumed Capacity and Burst Capacity in TiB per performance level.[6]
Counting / floors
Licence files. From ONTAP 9.10.1, all licences are delivered as a NetApp license file (NLF), a single file that enables several features. Each software suite is delivered as one NLF.[4] Earlier releases used one 28-character key per feature.[4] Catalog: From ONTAP 9.10.1 licences are delivered as NetApp license files.
Clusters. Every controller in a cluster, HA pair or group must have the same Controller-based licences. Mixed licences, and failover between them, are allowed only with NetApp’s written agreement and only for the time needed to fix a failure.[3] Catalog: All controllers in a cluster or HA pair need the same controller-based licences.
Over-use. Using the software beyond any prescribed limit on type, quantity, users, time or capacity is prohibited. Use outside the licence is a material breach.[3] Under the Software Terms, the customer must promptly pay the additional licence fees once notified.[2] Catalog: Use beyond types, quantities or capacity limits is a material breach; Unauthorised use requires prompt payment of additional licence fees.
Floors. The terms set no general minimum. Minimums appear in the product rules instead: a 4 TiB minimum charge per data-serving storage VM in Cloud Volumes ONTAP, 1 TB per ONTAP Select Capacity Tier licence and 2 TB per pool, and Keystone minimum committed capacities of 4 TiB (Cloud Volumes ONTAP) to 500 TiB (object storage) depending on storage type.[12][8][13] See the product articles for the full rules.
Virtualization & partitioning
NetApp does not license ONTAP by processor, core or virtual machine. ONTAP on NetApp hardware follows the controller, and the software-defined forms are licensed by capacity. ONTAP Select Capacity Tier licences are locked to one ONTAP Select node and cover the raw capacity of the data disks available to that virtual machine.[8] Controller-based licences may not be installed on third-party, second-hand or grey-market hardware that was not bought from NetApp or a NetApp partner.[3] Catalog: Controller-based licences cannot move to another controller or used hardware.
Cloud / BYOL
Cloud Volumes ONTAP can be bought as an annual marketplace contract, as pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) hourly marketplace subscriptions, or as BYOL from NetApp. NetApp has restricted the purchase, extension and renewal of BYOL.[5] Keystone can also supply committed capacity for Cloud Volumes ONTAP HA pairs.[5] Details are in NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP licensing.
Programs
- Keystone STaaS. Keystone gives a right to use NetApp-owned storage, paid on a consumption basis. It grants no licence and transfers no title.[6]
- Support Services. The EULA gives no right to updates or support, which are bought separately.[3] All controllers in a system need the same support level. Lapsed support can be reinstated only by paying for the lapsed period, plus any reinstatement fee.[7]
- Evaluation. Evaluation and pre-release software may be used for up to 90 days, in non-production environments only.[3]
- Approved Financing. Software licensed under an Approved Financing Agreement ends with the AFA term unless the AFA says otherwise.[2]
- Enterprise Agreement Express. NetApp also publishes Enterprise Agreement Express terms for Enterprise Agreement Software bought through partners.[10] They were not analysed here.
Contract terms and audits
Audit. Under the General Terms, the customer grants NetApp and its independent accountants the right to audit the customer, or its subcontractors, once a year during business hours on reasonable notice. If the audit finds over-usage or material non-compliance, the customer pays the additional fees and the reasonable costs of the audit.[1] The EULA contains a similar clause, and adds that NetApp may run further audits as needed after a finding.[3] U.S. Government customers are not subject to audit costs.[1] Catalog: General Terms audit: once annually, including subcontractors; EULA audit: annual examination, fees and audit costs on over-usage. See software license audit.
Transfer and hosting. Licences may not be assigned or transferred without NetApp’s written consent.[3] The software may not be used to provide service bureau, managed or hosting services unless NetApp agrees in writing.[3] Catalog: No service bureau or managed services use without written agreement; EULA rights cannot be assigned without consent.
Termination. On termination, all rights to use the software end and the customer must return or destroy copies and licence keys. The exception is a perpetual licence, provided the customer remains compliant and NetApp has not terminated for cause.[1] Catalog: On termination non-perpetual licences end and keys must be returned.
Out of scope
- Prices. NetApp publishes no list prices for on-premises software. Cloud Volumes ONTAP prices appear in marketplace listings and the NetApp Console.
- The Keystone Service Description, Cloud Services Terms and service-specific terms, the Enterprise Agreement Express terms, and Country Terms.
- StorageGRID, NetApp data services (Backup and Recovery, Ransomware Resilience, Disaster Recovery) and Instaclustr pricing.
- Hardware terms and warranties.