Vector CANoe and CANalyzer editions licensing describes how Vector packages its two best-known network tools. CANoe is a tool “for the development, simulation, analysis and test” of software components, subsystems, electronic control units (ECUs) and whole distributed networks, used for both software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop work.[2] CANalyzer is the analysis tool for observing, stimulating and replaying network communication.[4] Both are standard software products under Vector’s End User License Agreement. Their packaging has three layers, and each layer affects what a customer must hold.[1]
- The edition says where the tool runs (desktop, test bench or automation server) and so which license types are available.
- The variant sets the feature scope within an edition.
- Options add bus systems, protocols and special functions.
Catalog proof: CANoe editions, variants and options are licensed separately.
Editions
According to Vector, “Since 2023 the product editions have supplemented the previous product concept with its variants and options.”[1]
| Product and edition | Vector’s description | License types under the EULA |
|---|---|---|
| CANoe Desktop Edition (CANoe DE) | “the classic CANoe” for the developer workstation, interactive use with or without real hardware[1] | Device, Named-User |
| CANoe Test Bench Edition (CANoe TBE) | Test benches, production stations and test rigs with user interaction[1] | Test Bench |
| CANoe Server Editions (CANoe SE) | Automated testing in CI/CT environments, with or without real hardware[1] | CI Team, CI Agent, CI Volume |
| CANalyzer Desktop Edition (CANalyzer DE) | Local workstation, interactive and manual[4] | Device, Named-User |
| CANalyzer Test Bench Edition (CANalyzer TBE) | Test bench and production station, automated, remote and virtual[4] | Test Bench |
The mapping from edition to license type follows the EULA, which offers Desktop Edition products as Device or Named-User licences, Test Bench Edition products as Test Bench licences and Server Edition products as CI Team, CI Agent or CI Volume licences.[5] Vector states that CANalyzer DE and TBE have an identical feature set and differ in “the context of usage”.[4]
For work without real hardware, Vector says that customers need only CANoe DE “in the CANoe4SW Desktop Edition specification”, or the Server Editions in the CANoe4SW Server Editions specification.[1] CANoe Server Editions are “server‑based variants of CANoe that execute simulations and tests in automated, headless environments”, configured by script and YAML files without a graphical interface. Version 20 lists a Volume License among its highlights.[3]
Variants
CANoe variants are staggered feature scopes of the Desktop and Test Bench Editions:[1]
- Project Execution Variant: a graphical interface only, to run simulations and tests and view results.
- Runtime Variant: tests an ECU against a given remaining-bus simulation; configurations cannot be changed, but analysis is fully available.
- Professional Variant: the full range of CANoe functions, including simulation models in CAPL and .NET.
CANalyzer has an Expert Variant (/exp), which provides “nearly all functions” but does not support creating or running CAPL programs, and a Professional Variant (/pro) with all functions.[4] In the Vector License Client the variant and options are visible in product names such as “CANoe PRO” and “CANoe PRO Option .LIN”, each with its own version number.[6]
Options
Options “are available individually and can be combined as required” and are “available for all editions and their variants”.[1] The CAN option is included in CANoe and is the basis for J1939, ISO 11783 and CANopen. CANoe is also available for other bus systems without CAN support. Listed options include A429, ADAS, AFDX, AMD/XCP, CANopen, Car2x, Connectivity, DDS, DiVa, Electric Motor, Ethernet, FlexRay, EtherCAT, ISO 11783, J1587, J1939, LIN, Scope, SDC, Sensor, SmartCharging and Vehicle and Driver.[1] CANalyzer options cover CAN, Car2X, Ethernet, FlexRay and LIN, higher protocols such as CANopen and J1939, measurement (Scope) and avionics buses.[4]
For a licence position this means a CANoe entitlement is a set of separately licensed items. One base product (edition and variant) can carry several options, and each item has its own license type, model and maximum version.
Metrics
CANoe and CANalyzer use the general EULA license types; no product-specific metric was found. Two things matter in practice:
- Desktop Edition licences are personal or device-bound. A Device licence runs on one Physical Desktop and never on a Virtual Desktop or through a remote connection. A Named-User licence follows one natural person, who may use it on a Virtual Desktop or remotely.[5]
- Automation belongs to Server Editions. Desktop licences “may not be used on a compile server, build server or similar server types”. Server Edition licences cover servers, computing resources, cloud and Desktops.[5]
Catalog proof: Desktop licences may not be used on compile or build servers; CI Agent License: one Agent per running instance.
Counting / floors
No minimum quantities are published. A Test Bench licence allows one product to run at a time on one bench, and the bench may not double as a developer workstation.[5] A test lab with several benches therefore needs a Test Bench licence for each bench, plus Desktop Edition licences for the engineers who build the test configurations. Catalog proof: Test Bench License is a supplement, not a replacement for Desktop Edition.
Virtualization & partitioning
Vector’s system requirements list Windows 10 and 11 and, for both CANoe and CANalyzer, Windows Server 2022 and 2025 Standard, with a footnote: “Test Bench Edition (TBE) only. No other licenses possible. Use only as a single-user computer. No server operation with multiple users possible.”[2][4] The requirements also note that running in a virtual machine “is possible but not tested” and that virtualization may affect operation with Vector hardware.[4] CANoe’s software-in-the-loop environments can run on Windows and Linux computers, virtual machines or Docker containers in the cloud.[2] Whether that is licensed depends on the license type, not on the technical capability. Catalog proof: Windows Server only for the Test Bench Edition, as a single-user computer; Test Bench License: one physical bench computer or one VM at the bench.
Cloud / BYOL
Vector sells no hosted CANoe service. Cloud and container use of CANoe Server Editions is licensed through CI licences on a License Server, which may be on premises or in the cloud.[5]
Programs
CANoe and CANalyzer licences are offered under the general perpetual and subscription models and may carry restrictions such as Evaluation or Academic.[5] Vector also offers a free CANoe.SOVD Evaluation Package for testing with CANoe 20.[2]
Out of scope
- Prices, part numbers and the Vector feature matrix PDF, which was not used as a source.
- CANape, vTESTstudio, DaVinci and other tools, which use the same EULA license types.
- Vector hardware interfaces (VN series), which can act as license carriers but are sold under the hardware terms.