The TeamViewer free version is a free licence that TeamViewer grants for selected products “solely for personal and non-commercial purposes”.[1] It is one of the most common sources of unlicensed commercial use of remote access software. TeamViewer’s definition of commercial use is broad: any use that is directly or indirectly paid for, including working from home and supporting colleagues.[2] The EULA lets TeamViewer monitor use technically to detect use beyond the licensed scope.[1] The Knowledge Base describes flagging of accounts and devices and the reset process that follows.[2] For an organization, the free version is a license compliance exposure rather than an entitlement. Paid plans are described in TeamViewer Remote licensing.
Editions
The TeamViewer Remote Product Specification labels the Free plan “Free for personal use” and “Non-commercial”. It includes 0 licensed users, 1 channel with 1 session and 3 managed devices, and unlimited devices to connect from.[7] Features differ between the free version and the licence levels. A purchased licence unlocks the additional features when it is applied.[4] Under the EULA, the Free Version’s Product Specification includes personalized marketing messages in the software and the related processing of personal data and cookies.[1] The catalog records the grant as the program Free Version for non-commercial use.
Metrics
The Free plan is sized by Channel (concurrent connection) and Managed Device, like the paid plans. It has no licensed user entitlement.[7] What matters is the purpose of use, not a unit count. The rules below define that purpose.
Counting / floors
EULA definition (effective 2026-07-27). Personal usage does not include use in the exercise of the customer’s trade, business or profession. Nor does it include use for purposes for which the customer directly or indirectly receives compensation. The EULA’s examples are teamwork with colleagues and free support for buyers of the customer’s own software or other products.[1] Catalog proof: Free Version is for personal, non-commercial use only (backs Free Version is for personal, non-commercial use only).
Private use (as of 2024-03-08). TeamViewer defines private use as use “for purposes that are neither directly nor indirectly paid”. The test is whether the use creates added value with some form of financial compensation, not whether the service itself is charged. The indirect-payment examples are free support for a software product the company sells, teamwork among colleagues, use in associations and non-profit organizations, and access to a company computer for work. Helping family and friends without compensation is always personal use.[3]
Commercial use cases (as of 2026-05-11). The Knowledge Base lists these cases. Supporting customers and colleagues is commercial. Home office is commercial, even to check work email quickly, whether the account uses a personal or a company email address. Incoming connections count too: a commercial user who lets customers connect to their device is using TeamViewer commercially. Monitoring one or more devices that run a server operating system is commercial.[2] The personal-use guide adds connecting to or monitoring devices that generate revenue or compensation, even in a not-for-profit.[4] Catalog proof: Home office and server administration are commercial use (backs Home office and server administration are commercial use); Home office and server administration are commercial use (Commercial use suspected: server administration) and Home office and server administration are commercial use (What is private use?: definition) (same rule).
Non-profit organizations (as of 2026-05-11). Use in a non-profit can be commercial if the user, or anyone else in the organization, receives a salary from it.[2] Registered non-profit and educational organizations can apply for a 30% discount on paid licences instead.[8] Catalog proof: Non-profit use is commercial where staff are salaried (backs Non-profit use is commercial where staff are salaried).
Detection and reset
Technical monitoring (EULA effective 2026-07-27). TeamViewer may analyse use for licence auditing and may use technical measures to check whether usage matches the chosen licence type. It may also require a self-declaration of actual use at any time.[1] Catalog proof: Technical usage monitoring and self-declaration on request (EULA sec. B.1.9 technical measures) (backs Technical usage monitoring and self-declaration on request).
Flags on accounts and IDs (as of 2026-05-11). TeamViewer “suspects or detects” commercial use for TeamViewer accounts and TeamViewer IDs. Repeated “connection timeout” errors can also mean suspected commercial use. Uninstalling TeamViewer does not remove the flag.[2] Each installed device has a TeamViewer ID, a 9- or 10-digit number that is designed to stay the same across reinstalls.[4] Catalog proof: Commercial-use flags apply to IDs and accounts and need a reset request (backs Commercial-use flags apply to IDs and accounts and need a reset request).
Reset requests (as of 2026-05-11). A user who believes a flag is wrong submits a reset request with a description of their use and every TeamViewer ID involved, up to 10 per form. TeamViewer states an aim of resolving requests within seven business days. If private use is confirmed, the ID is reset. If commercial use is still suspected, the user may be asked to complete a declaration of private use. A reset applies to the submitted TeamViewer ID, not to the account. Connections to devices still flagged as commercial remain blocked.[2] Catalog proof: Commercial-use flags apply to IDs and accounts and need a reset request (Commercial use suspected: unblock note) (backs Commercial-use flags apply to IDs and accounts and need a reset request).
Other block messages (as of 2024-03-08). “Sorry, connections are blocked” refers to an overdue invoice, not to commercial use. It can also appear on a free user’s device that was recently used with an account whose licence is overdue. For “Commercial use suspected” or “Commercial use detected”, TeamViewer directs users to the reset form.[6]
Trials and server operating systems
Trials (as of 2024-03-08; EULA effective 2026-07-27). The EULA allows TeamViewer to grant a limited Trial License when a free user declares that their use is at least partly commercial.[1] Since 17 September 2020, no trial starts during installation. Commercial evaluators request a 14-day trial with the full feature set from sales, and the installation stops working when it ends unless a licence is activated. TeamViewer advises using a company email address and device for trials, to avoid blocks on private accounts. Devices installed before that date could have started a trial if the installer chose company/commercial use. Those users may request a reset to personal use through the personal use verification form.[5]
Windows Server (as of 2026-05-11). TeamViewer Classic installed on Windows Server before 17 September 2020 started a commercial trial automatically, and it cannot be reset to private use. Installations from that date on do not start a trial.[2] Monitoring server-OS devices is commercial use in any case. Catalog proof: Pre-17 September 2020 Windows Server installs are permanently commercial (backs Pre-17 September 2020 Windows Server installs are permanently commercial).
Virtualization & partitioning
The free-use rules do not depend on the platform, except for server operating systems. Monitoring devices that run a server OS is classed as commercial use.[2]
Cloud / BYOL
The Free Version comes with no service commitment. Free-licence holders cannot demand TeamViewer’s Server Services, which TeamViewer may discontinue or change at any time. The software is provided as-is with no maintenance or warranty. Under the rest-of-world terms, liability is limited to intent and gross negligence.[1]
Programs
- Free Version for non-commercial use (EULA effective 2026-07-27). Concluded for an unlimited period, and either party may terminate at any time. Continued use counts as acceptance of the EULA, even if the user states disagreement.[1]
- Trial License. The commercial evaluation route.[5]
- Non-profit and education discount. Eligible organizations are non-governmental or educational institutions that serve a local or global community and uphold non-discriminatory values.[8] The Knowledge Base describes the discount as relative to the current list price, granted after an application that includes the organization’s registration number.[9]
Out of scope
- Whether a particular use is commercial in a specific case. TeamViewer’s specialist team decides reset requests.[2]
- The mechanics of detection, which TeamViewer does not publish.
- Paid plan entitlements. See TeamViewer Remote licensing.
Catalog rows
Catalog rows for this article, grouped by table.
- Programs
- Rules
- Free Version is for personal, non-commercial use only
- Home office and server administration are commercial use
- Non-profit use is commercial where staff are salaried
- Commercial-use flags apply to IDs and accounts and need a reset request
- Pre-17 September 2020 Windows Server installs are permanently commercial
- Technical usage monitoring and self-declaration on request