What type of licensing is best for me?
Understanding FluidFlow Licensing Options
Quick Start: Find Your Best License in 30 Seconds
Most customers choose: Lease-Purchase with Network licensing (best long-term value)
Small teams (1-2 users): Network license (more flexibility) or Named User (lower cost)
Large organizations (25+ users): Enterprise/Unlimited
Need flexibility? Annual subscriptions
How to Choose Your License
Step 1: How many users need access?
| Team Size | Recommended License Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 users | 1 Network License | Most flexibility, all module options available |
| 3-9 users | 1-3 Network Licenses | Better value than Named User at 3+ users |
| 10-24 users | 4-8 Network Licenses | Scalable concurrent access |
| 25+ users | Enterprise/Unlimited | Simplified management, unlimited access |
Step 2: Choose your payment model
| Commitment Level | Best Option | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term (3+ years) | Lease-Purchase | Own after 3 years, save $3,070+ annually thereafter |
| Annual flexibility | Annual Subscription | No long-term commitment, predictable costs |
| Upfront investment | Perpetual* | Immediate ownership (*subject to qualification, requires multi-year SUM) |
Step 3: Select your module package
Complete Package (All Capabilities)
├── Liquid + Gas + Two-Phase + Slurry
│
Core Packages
├── Liquid + Gas + Two-Phase
├── Liquid + Gas + Slurry
├── Liquid + Gas (Most Popular)
└── Liquid + Slurry
Specialized (Lease/Perpetual Only)
├── Gas Only
└── Liquid Only
Module Requirements:
- Slurry requires Liquid module
- Two-Phase requires both Liquid + Gas modules
- Modules cannot be purchased separately
Availability by License Type:
- Network Licenses: All package combinations available
- Named User: Limited to Liquid+Gas base configurations only
- Enterprise: All package combinations available
Step 4: Choose your deployment method
| Installation Type | Best For | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Network (Server-Based) | Most organizations (recommended) | Central license server, concurrent access from any workstation, maximum flexibility |
| Named User | Individual users with basic needs | Local installation, license retrieved from server, limited module options |
License Options Detailed
Lease-Purchase: Best Long-Term Value (Network Licenses)
Own your software after 3 years with the most cost-effective path to perpetual ownership.
How it works:
- Pay annual installments for 3 years
- Full software access and SUM included during lease
- Automatically converts to perpetual ownership after Year 3
- Ongoing SUM required after Year 3 (at reduced cost)
Real Cost Comparison - Liquid + Gas Network License:
| Year | Lease-Purchase | Annual Network | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years 1-3 | $7,499/year | $5,950/year | - |
| Years 4+ | $2,880/year (SUM only) | $5,950/year | $3,070/year |
| 5-Year Total | $28,257 | $29,750 | $1,493 |
| 10-Year Total | $42,657 | $59,500 | $16,843 |
Perfect for: Teams committed to long-term FluidFlow usage
Available for: All module packages
ROI: Typically 2 weeks to 3 months
Annual Network Licenses: Maximum Flexibility (Recommended)
Concurrent access for teams with flexible annual commitment and full module selection.
How it works:
- One-year commitment with auto-renewal (30-day cancellation notice)
- Full SUM coverage included
- Each license supports up to 3 concurrent users
- Unlimited registered users
- All module packages available
Scaling Guide & Pricing (Liquid + Gas example):
| Users | Licenses Needed | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | 1 | $5,950 |
| 4-6 | 2 | $10,710 |
| 7-9 | 3 | $16,065 |
| 10-12 | 4 | $21,420 |
| 13-15 | 5 | $26,775 |
| 16-18 | 6 | $32,130 |
| 19-21 | 7 | $37,485 |
| 22-24 | 8 | $42,840 |
Why Choose Network Over Named User:
- Module flexibility: Access to all package options (Complete, Two-Phase, Slurry combinations)
- User flexibility: Share licenses among team members
- Scalability: Easy to add licenses as team grows
- Better value: More economical at 3+ users
Perfect for: Most organizations - provides maximum flexibility
Installation: Server-based network deployment
Available packages: All module combinations
Annual Named User Licenses: Budget Option for Small Teams
Individual licenses tied to specific team members - limited module availability.
Important Limitations:
- Locked to specific individuals - Cannot be shared or transferred between users
- Compliance requirement: Any unauthorized sharing will result in billing for the remainder of the annual term for each infringement
- Limited module selection - Available configurations:
- Liquid + Gas only
- Liquid + Gas + Two-Phase
- Liquid + Gas + Slurry
- Complete Package
- NOT available: Liquid only, Gas only, Liquid + Slurry
- Less flexibility - Cannot reassign between team members
Pricing Example - Liquid + Gas:
| Users | Named User Annual Cost | Network License Annual Cost | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,975 | $5,950 | Consider Network for flexibility |
| 2 | $4,482 | $5,950 | Consider Network for better value |
| 3 | $6,723 | $5,950 | Choose Network - saves $773 |
| 4 | $8,966 | $10,710 (2 licenses) | Choose Network |
When Named User Makes Sense:
- Very tight budget with 1-2 users
- Users need guaranteed individual access
- Only need basic Liquid + Gas functionality
- No plans to scale or share licenses
- Can ensure strict compliance with individual licensing
Note: Most customers find Network licenses provide better long-term value and flexibility, even for small teams.
Installation: Local software with server-based license retrieval
Compliance: Licenses are monitored for individual use only
Enterprise/Unlimited: Large-Scale Solutions
Comprehensive licensing for organizations with 25+ users.
Features:
- Unlimited concurrent users
- Available as Named User or Network deployment
- Simplified license management
- Full SUM coverage included
- Custom deployment options
- Enhanced support terms
- Annual subscription model
- All module packages available
Perfect for: Multi-site deployments, large engineering teams, enterprise organizations
Contact us for custom pricing based on your organization's needs
Perpetual Licenses: Traditional Ownership
Important: Available only until October 31, 2025 for qualifying organizations.
How it works:
- Pay full price upfront
- 18 months SUM included
- Annual SUM renewal required to maintain updates, support, and activation entitlements
- Periodic reactivation required to maintain license validity
- SUM provides license replacement if needed (fair usage policy)
- Available as Network licenses with all module options
- Subject to qualification and requires multi-year SUM commitment
Consider this if: You have capital budget available and prefer traditional software ownership
Note: Lease-Purchase often provides better Total Cost of Ownership over 5+ years
Support, Updates & Maintenance (SUM)
What's Included with SUM:
- Technical support via email (48-hour response)
- All software updates and version releases
- Basic modeling assistance and troubleshooting
- Complimentary basic on-demand training
- License recovery protection (fair usage policy)
- License replacement if required
- Maintained activation entitlements
SUM Coverage by License Type:
| License Type | SUM Included | Ongoing Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Lease-Purchase | 3 years during lease | Annual renewal required after Year 3 |
| Perpetual | 18 months | Annual renewal required |
| Annual Subscriptions | Full term | Included in subscription |
Important: Maintaining active SUM ensures continued access to updates, support, and license activation entitlements.
Getting Started
1. Free Trial
Request a 14-day trial at fluidflowinfo.com/freetrial
2. Get Your Custom Quote
Fastest: Chat with Flow, our sales agent - get your quote in 5 minutes by email
Email: sales@fluidflowinfo.com
Web: Contact form
3. Same-Day Activation
Licenses typically delivered and activated the same day
4. ROI Timeline
Most customers see ROI within 2 weeks to 3 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Before Purchase
Q: Is there a free trial?
A: Yes, 14-day trial available at fluidflowinfo.com/freetrial
Q: Will FluidFlow work on Mac?
A: Only with Windows via Parallels or similar virtualization
Q: Are there modeling limitations?
A: No node limitations - only limited by your machine's memory
Q: Can I add custom data?
A: Yes, add your own or request additions to master database
Choosing a License
Q: Why do most customers choose Network licenses?
A: Network licenses offer all module packages, user flexibility, easy scaling, and better value for 3+ users. Named User licenses are limited to basic configurations.
Q: Named User vs Network - which should I choose?
A: Network licenses are recommended for most users due to flexibility and full module availability. Named User is only cost-effective for 1-2 users who need basic Liquid+Gas functionality only.
Q: Should I choose Lease-Purchase or Annual?
A: Lease-Purchase if planning 3+ year usage (saves $3,070+ annually after Year 3). Annual for flexibility
Q: When do I need Enterprise licensing?
A: For 25+ users or multi-site deployments requiring simplified management
Q: Can I buy individual modules?
A: No, Slurry requires Liquid; Two-Phase requires Liquid + Gas
Q: Why are some packages not available with Named User licenses?
A: Named User licenses are our budget option with limited configurations. For full module flexibility, choose Network licenses.
Q: Can Named User licenses be shared?
A: No, Named User licenses are locked to specific individuals. Any unauthorized sharing will result in billing for the remainder of the term for each infringement.
Q: Do perpetual licenses need periodic reactivation?
A: Yes, perpetual licenses require periodic reactivation to maintain validity. Active SUM ensures smooth reactivation.
After Purchase
Q: Can I transfer licenses between computers?
A: Yes, all license types transferable. See knowledge base for instructions
Q: Can I upgrade my license later?
A: Yes, upgrade packages or add licenses anytime. We recommend starting with Network licenses for easier upgrades.
Q: What if I lose my license?
A: Active SUM provides free recovery (fair usage). Without SUM: 60% of list price
Q: What happens when SUM expires?
A: Perpetual/lease-purchase licenses require renewal to maintain entitlements and activation. Annual subscriptions auto-renew
Q: What if my annual license expires?
A: Calculation functionality stops, but you can view and edit existing files
Q: Can I install on multiple computers?
A: Network licenses allow installation across multiple machines with concurrent usage up to license limit. Named User licenses can be installed on user's machine with centralized license management.
Special Programs
Q: Educational discounts available?
A: Yes, for students, teachers, and researchers
Q: Non-profit pricing?
A: Yes, contact sales for special non-profit pricing
Q: Consulting services offered?
A: Yes, tailored to specific project needs
Q: How can I resell my license?
A: Transfers permitted for company takeovers. Contact us to discuss
Contact Sales
Ready to improve your fluid flow analysis?
Get your quote in 5 minutes by email via chat with Flow
Email: sales@fluidflowinfo.com
Chat: Talk with Flow, our sales agent
Web: View pricing | Contact form
We'll analyze your needs and provide:
- Three licensing options with ROI analysis
- Payback period calculations
- Custom recommendations based on your workflow
Last updated: October 2025 | All prices in USD | Terms subject to change