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SmartBear TestComplete and ReadyAPI licensing

From the LICENSEWARE WikiLast edited 16 ReferencesCited

This article is about licensing SmartBear's installed test tools, TestComplete, TestExecute, ReadyAPI, VirtServer and TestEngine, including legacy node-locked and floating key-based licences. For the licence system itself see SmartBear License Management.

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TestComplete and ReadyAPI are SmartBear’s two main installed test automation tools. TestComplete automates user-interface tests for desktop, web and mobile applications and requires Windows.[8] ReadyAPI tests REST, SOAP, GraphQL and other APIs, with optional performance testing and service virtualization.[12] Both products and their companion runners (TestExecute, TestLeft, VirtServer and TestEngine) count as “Licensed Software” under the SmartBear Master Solutions Agreement. The Solution Specific Terms license them as Fixed (Named) or Floating (Concurrent) licences.[13] SmartBear License Management (SLM) calls the same seat types Fixed User and Floating.[1]

The products have used three licence systems. SmartBear ID-based licensing (SLM) is current. TestComplete previously used key-based licensing (Node-Locked and Floating User). ReadyAPI previously used file-based licensing, also called ProtectionLS.[1][10] An inventory can still hold all three. Each needs its own counting method.

Editions

TestComplete

TestComplete consists of the TestComplete Platform plus one or more modules (Desktop, Web, Mobile) and add-ons (Intelligent Quality, Device Cloud). Each component is licensed separately.[2] The pricing page sells three plans. Prices were shown in euros when retrieved.

Plan Contents Price shown 
TestComplete Base At least one of the Desktop, Mobile or Web modules[8] EUR 3,850 (Fixed)[8] 
TestComplete Pro All three modules, TestExecute access and the Intelligent Quality add-on[8] EUR 6,935 (Fixed)[8] 
TestComplete Advanced Pro plus AI-augmented visual testing, 2 parallels on SmartBear’s device and browser cloud, 25 hours of load testing up to 500 VUs[8] Custom pricing[8] 
TestExecute add-on Runs tests on machines without TestComplete[8] EUR 719 per licence, yearly subscription[8] 
Intelligent Quality add-on AI-based object recognition[8] EUR 1,515 per licence, yearly subscription[8] 

Each plan is offered as Fixed, described as “Single user test on physical machines only”, or Floating, “Multiple users test on physical and virtual machines”.[8] TestExecute and TestLeft are shipped and licensed separately from TestComplete.[2]

ReadyAPI

ReadyAPI is licensed by module: Test, Performance and Virtualization.[14] The pricing page packages them as ReadyAPI Test Essentials, starting at EUR 6,069 per licence billed annually, and ReadyAPI Test Advanced, a custom-priced plan that adds performance testing and virtualization. Add-ons are VirtServer, from EUR 3,299, and TestEngine, from EUR 4,799. Single-user fixed licences are quoted on request.[12]

Metrics

Licence Catalog row Rule 
Fixed User (ID-based) Fixed (Named) License Bound to a user, not a computer. The product can be used on several machines one at a time; physical machines only.[1] 
Floating (ID-based) Floating (Concurrent) License Concurrent seats; required on virtual and cloud machines.[1] 
Node-Locked (key-based) Node-Locked License Bound to one computer; one TestComplete instance at a time.[2] 
Floating User (key-based) Floating User License Several copies on multiple computers in the local network, up to the number of concurrent copies in the key.[2] 

The licence specifies which modules and add-ons may be used and how many instances may run at the same time.[2] In SLM the concurrency limit is the number of seats. Closing the product frees the seat.[6]

Counting / floors

Subscription and perpetual. Key-based licences were either subscription (time-limited) or perpetual. All new TestComplete licences are subscriptions by default. After a commercial module licence expires, the product can no longer be used and updates and support stop.[2] Catalog: New TestComplete licences are subscriptions that stop working when they expire. The documentation describes key-based TestExecute licences as having no time limit and including all TestComplete modules and the Intelligent Quality add-on.[2] Today’s pricing page sells TestExecute as a yearly subscription.[8]

No mixing. All TestComplete modules must use either key-based or ID-based licences. Using both at the same time is not supported.[1] Catalog: TestComplete modules cannot mix key-based and ID-based licences. ReadyAPI did allow ID-based and file-based licences for different modules, for example an ID-based Test licence alongside a file-based Performance licence.[9]

Bundles. A bundle licence covering TestComplete and TestExecute allows one user per product, so one seat lets two users work.[6]

Key-based binding. A key-based licence is bound to the computer on which it is activated, the “License Manager PC”. TestComplete checks hardware parameters at start-up and will not run if they have changed. Activation consumes the key, so moving a licence requires deactivating it and activating it elsewhere with a new key from the My SmartBear portal.[3] If several Floating User licences are activated on one computer, they cannot be deactivated separately.[15] If the License Manager PC is lost or destroyed, SmartBear can issue an emergency key. It is valid for 14 days after activation and is available only once per licence.[5] Catalog: One 14-day emergency key per key-based licence.

Floating User license server. Key-based Floating User licences are controlled by the standalone License Manager utility. SmartBear recommends installing it on a physical server that the test machines can reach over TCP and UDP port 1947.[4]

Virtualization & partitioning

ID-based licences. On virtual and cloud machines, TestComplete supports only Floating licences.[1] The machine must also reach the SmartBear licence servers, or be licensed offline. With a Floating licence there is no restriction on virtual or cloud environments, including Microsoft-hosted agents, and no static IP is needed.[6] For ReadyAPI, both Fixed and Floating licences work on physical hardware and with Remote Desktop access. Floating licences are required for headless use with virtual machines and for Docker containers.[9] Catalog: Fixed User licences cannot be used on virtual machines or containers.

Key-based licences. Node-Locked licences must not be activated on virtual computers; virtual test machines should use Floating User licences or TestExecute.[2] A key-based licence activated on a VM binds to the physical host. If the VM moves to another host, or a cloud instance restarts on new hardware, TestComplete will not start unless the MAC address and CPU data stay the same.[3] Catalog: Key-based Node-Locked licences must not be activated on virtual computers.

Cloud / BYOL

CI/CD. TestComplete and TestExecute runs in pipelines authenticate with an access key generated in SmartBear License Management. The key is passed with /accessKey and is not cached, so every run must supply it.[7] In private or air-gapped pipelines, /SLM and /onPremiseURL point the product at an On-Premise License Server, whose default port is 40892.[7] ReadyAPI test runners use -accessKey. Since November 2023, username and password authentication no longer works for runners, Jenkins or Azure plugins with SmartBear-hosted licences.[11] Catalog: Headless SmartBear-hosted ReadyAPI runs must authenticate with an access key. The same page restates that Floating licences are required for multiple users, service accounts, VMs and containers.[11]

Programs

Retirement of legacy licences

Date Event 
August 2021 TestComplete 14.92 offers ID-based licences to some trial users[1] 
April 2022 ID-based licensing becomes primary for TestComplete 15.40 trial and commercial users[1] 
June 2022 SLM available in ReadyAPI 3.8.1 (SaaS) and 3.40.0 (on-premises)[10] 
September 2023 All TestComplete licensing is ID-based[1] 
October 2023 Technical support and maintenance for file-based and ProtectionLS licences end[10] 
2024-09-01 Renewing or expanding file-based licences incurs a service charge of up to 30% of the invoice value[10] 
September 2025 ReadyAPI 3.62.0, VirtServer 3.29.0 and TestEngine 1.34.0 support SLM only[10] 
2025-10-01 No new file-based licences, activations or deactivations[10] 

Existing activated file-based licences may keep working for some time, but SmartBear no longer maintains the system and says service problems cannot be restored.[10] Catalog: ReadyAPI file-based licences are no longer issued or supported from 2025-10-01. A ReadyAPI licence number that starts with R*-FL** or R*-FX** marks an ID-based licence.[10]

Support

Standard Support is included in paid subscriptions. The Support Manual lists TestComplete with Standard, Enterprise and Enterprise Plus plans, and ReadyAPI with Standard Support only.[16] The Solution Specific Terms limit SmartBear’s support obligation to the most current and previous minor release.[13]

Out of scope

  • TestLeft, LoadNinja, BitBar and the TestComplete Device Cloud add-on beyond what is stated above.
  • Floating licence prices, which are shown on the pricing page only after selection and were not recorded.
  • Step-by-step activation, proxy and silent installation procedures.

References

  1. About TestComplete LicensesApplies to TestComplete 15.85, last modified 2026-10-01. Catalog: About TestComplete LicensesEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  2. TestComplete License TypesKey-based licences. Catalog: TestComplete License Types (key-based)Effective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  3. About Licensing SystemKey-based licences. Catalog: TestComplete key-based licensing systemEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  4. License Manager UtilityCatalog: TestComplete License Manager UtilityEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  5. Emergency License KeysCatalog: TestComplete Emergency License KeysEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  6. SmartBear ID-based Licenses (TestComplete)Catalog: TestComplete SmartBear ID-based LicensesEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  7. Activate TestComplete in CI/CD build runsCatalog: Activate TestComplete in CI/CD build runsEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  8. TestComplete PricingPrices shown in EUR when retrieved. Catalog: TestComplete PricingRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  9. About ReadyAPI LicensesCatalog: About ReadyAPI LicensesRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  10. ReadyAPI File-Based License End-of-Life PolicyCatalog: ReadyAPI File-Based License End-of-Life PolicyRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  11. Activate ReadyAPI on Headless Machines and in CI/CD build runsCatalog: Activate ReadyAPI on Headless Machines and in CI/CD build runsRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  12. ReadyAPI PricingPrices shown in EUR when retrieved. Catalog: ReadyAPI PricingRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  13. SmartBear Solution Specific TermsCatalog: SmartBear Solution Specific TermsRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  14. ReadyAPI LicensesRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  15. Deactivating and Moving LicensesEffective 2026-10-01. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  16. SmartBear Support ManualLast Updated August 18, 2026. Catalog: SmartBear Support ManualEffective 2026-08-18. Retrieved 2026-10-02.

See also

Catalog Rows Cited

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