Posit licensing is the set of terms under which Posit Software, PBC sells and publishes its data science software. Posit, formerly RStudio, PBC, is a Delaware corporation based in Boston.[1] It publishes free open-source tools such as the RStudio IDE and has invested in open-source data science since 2009.[4] It sells commercial server products for developing, publishing and managing R and Python work, Posit Workbench, Posit Connect and Posit Package Manager, together with hosted services. The licensing question for each product is which document applies, because a commercial licence agreement, an open-source licence and an online service agreement all coexist.
Which document governs which product
| Product or offer | Governing document | Licensing basis |
|---|---|---|
| Posit Workbench, Connect, Package Manager, RStudio Desktop Pro (proprietary Software) | EULA and Software License Descriptions[1][2] | Named Users and server activations by tier |
| RStudio IDE open source editions | AGPLv3 unless a commercial licence agreement applies[5] | Open-source licence; commercial alternative |
| Positron | Elastic License 2.0[6] | Free to use under licence limits |
| Posit Cloud, shinyapps.io, Connect Cloud and other Posit-hosted services | Posit Service Terms of Use[7] | Free and paid plans per account |
| Posit AI | Posit AI Service Terms[10] | Monthly subscription per login |
The EULA defines Software as the object code of Posit’s proprietary programs listed on an Order Form, and expressly excludes Posit Cloud and shinyapps.io.[1] Catalog rule: The EULA governs Posit proprietary Software bought directly or through a reseller.
Editions
Posit’s server products are sold in three tiers. The pricing page describes Basic as for individuals and small teams, supporting up to 10 developers and 50 viewers with 3 package repositories; Enhanced for scale and governance, up to 100 developers and 500 viewers with 10 repositories; and Advanced as the complete enterprise solution with unlimited instances, as many developers and viewers as needed, and unlimited repositories.[3] The pricing page also says that pricing for Posit Team products is based on the number of named users the organization requires.[3] Posit Team is the bundle of Workbench, Connect and Package Manager, sold as Team Enhanced or Team Advanced.[2] Catalog SKUs include Posit Workbench Basic, Posit Connect Enhanced, Posit Package Manager Advanced and Posit Team Advanced. The per-product detail is in Posit Workbench, Connect and Package Manager licensing.
Outside the server tiers, the RStudio page lists RStudio Desktop Pro at $1204.00 per year as a commercial licence for organizations that cannot use AGPL software, and Posit AI at $20 per month.[4] RStudio, Positron and Posit AI licensing covers those.
Metrics
| Posit term | Catalog row | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Named User | Named User | An individual given credentials who must login and authenticate to use the Software[2] |
| Anonymous User | Anonymous User | A User without credentials who does not authenticate[2] |
| Server | Server activation | A physical or virtual computer server; tiers include set numbers of Server, Staging Server and Disaster Recovery activations[2] |
| Repository | Repository | A set of packages made available to a set of Users, of one package type[2] |
Counting and floors
A fee is payable for each separate Named User who logs in or authenticates to use the Software. A Named User licence may not be shared or reassigned except by permanently ending one user’s use and assigning the licence to a new Named User.[2] Under the EULA, people who only use Customer Applications published through the Software are deemed Users but may only view the applications and use or view their output.[1] A license file may not be used on more Servers than purchased, and the Software may not be made available to more Named Users than purchased.[2] The Software License Descriptions publish no minimum number of users; the capacity figures in the tiers come from the pricing page. Catalog rules: A fee is due for each separate Named User who logs in and A Named User licence may be reassigned only after the first user permanently stops.
Virtualization and partitioning
The EULA allows the Software in virtual machines on hardware the customer owns, leases or controls, including a third-party host such as Amazon Web Services, so long as the use meets the Software License Descriptions. Virtualization may not be used to circumvent licensing terms, and the customer may sublicense a hosting provider solely to host the Software for the customer’s exclusive benefit.[1] The licensing technology is designed to prevent activating the Software on more than one physical or virtual computer.[1] Catalog: Virtualization is allowed on hardware the customer controls but may not circumvent licence terms.
Cloud and BYOL
Posit’s documentation says that buying through an AWS, Azure or Google Cloud marketplace offer not explicitly marked Bring Your Own License means licensing differs from a direct purchase, and that BYOL marketplace offerings follow the regular steps for each Posit Team product.[9] Workbench on Amazon SageMaker is licensed per named user.[11] See Posit license activation, keys and files.
Programs
Posit offers academic pricing, with free professional products for instructors teaching in a classroom setting and 25% off annual subscriptions for instructors, researchers or staff with a qualified institutional email address.[12] Posit’s small and medium business page describes discounts for businesses with up to USD 5 million in annual revenue and operating budgets of USD 10 million or less.[13] The EULA also provides for free trials limited to evaluation.[1] Catalog: Posit academic pricing, Posit small and medium business discount and Posit free trial.
Audit and compliance
At Posit’s written request, not more than once every twelve months, the customer certifies that it and its Users comply with the EULA and the Documentation. More frequent requests are allowed only to confirm a past violation has been corrected, and no more than once per calendar quarter.[1] The EULA’s liability cap excludes breaches of the licence grant, virtualization and restrictions clauses, and states that the customer must pay the fee for all authorized and unauthorized use.[1] On termination the customer certifies in writing within 30 days that the Software and copies are destroyed, purged or returned.[1] Catalog: Posit may request an annual compliance certification and On termination the customer certifies destruction of the Software within 30 days.
Support
Paid subscriptions include Support Services under the Support Agreement. Each Software Edition (a YYYY.MM release) is supported for 18 months and the latest edition is always supported, with up to two named technical support contacts unless the Order says otherwise. Support does not cover Posit Cloud or shinyapps.io.[8]
Out of scope
This overview does not cover the open-source R and Python languages and packages, which are separately licensed by their authors, nor the Posit Academy learning service or Posit AI Pass. It does not cover privacy, security or data processing terms. See open source software licensing and GNU GPL, LGPL and AGPL obligations for the licence families involved.