Understand licensing for NVivo

NVivo 12 Windows

Each client machine needs an NVivo license, and a license is also required to install NVivo Server on the server.

This topic describes the different types of licenses that are available for NVivo. If you want information on NVivo Server licensing, refer to Understand licensing for NVivo Server.

In this topic

About license keys

Each computer that runs NVivo 12 Windows software needs a license key. The first part of the license key indicates which platform it can be used on.

License keys that start with:

  • 'NV*12'  can be used to install and activate NVivo 12 Windows or NVivo 12 Mac.

  • 'NM*12'  can only be used to install and activate NVivo 12 Mac.

Each license key can be used on a limited number of devices. Refer to the End-User License Agreement.

To view the End-User License Agreement after NVivo 12 Windows is installed:

  1. Click the File tab, point to Help, and then click About NVivo.

  2. Click View your license agreement.

Perpetual licenses

A Perpetual license allows you to install NVivo on a maximum of two devices and use it indefinitely in conjunction with NVivo compatible products and supported operating systems. Each Perpetual license provides a single license key for each individual user.

Perpetual licenses can be purchased as either single licenses or multiple licenses.

Student licenses

Full time students can purchase annual subscriptions to use NVivo for educational purposes.

Organization licenses

NVivo licenses for organizations can only be purchased via the Lumivero partners or Sales channels. Currently, there are 2 types of organization licensing options available:

  • Per Seat License - A type of license requiring every person accessing the software have a unique login.

  • Concurrent License - A type of license that allows access to any number of individuals up-to and not-to-exceed the maximum number of licenses purchased. The number of active logins at a given time is limited to the total number of concurrent user licenses purchased.

Active organization licenses entitle you to free upgrades when new software is released.

NVivo Server licensing

NVivo and NVivo Server are separate software products. NVivo Server is a server-side application that manages NVivo projects in a centralized database repository—allowing users to work on the same project at the same time.

To work with NVivo projects stored on a server, your organization needs licenses for both NVivo and NVivo Server. Each client machine needs an NVivo license, and a license is also required to install NVivo Server on the server. Refer to Understand licensing for NVivo Server for more information.

NVivo editions

There are two editions of NVivo 12 Windows client software: Pro and Plus. Each edition features a different level of functionality to support a range of projects and research needs.

The client license key determines the edition—some licenses allow access to more than one edition. Users with access to multiple editions can switch between them in Application Options.