LicenseManager2026 guide
Top license management tools for Python in 2026
A factual list of license management tools for Python, with their SDKs, features and pricing.
We build LicenseManager, listed first. The others are ranked by their Python support, then by features. Prices and features come from each vendor's public pricing page and documentation, checked on 2026-10-25. Report an error.
The list
LicenseManager
Our productLicensing service
License keys for desktop apps, created from Stripe payments and validated with one request.
- Free tier
- Up to 100 active licenses
- Paid plans from
- €29 / month
- Fee per sale
- None
- Billed on
- Licenses active in the last 90 days
Best for: Indie developers and small teams selling desktop apps with Stripe, who want licensing without building a backend.
Python: Python SDK (API client)
- No fee on sales, payments go straight to your Stripe account
- Only licenses validated in the last 90 days count toward the plan
- Electron, Tauri and macOS (Swift) SDKs with keychain storage, offline tokens and clock tampering detection
LicenseSpring
Licensing service
A software licensing platform with SDKs for desktop, mobile and game engines.
- Free tier
- Up to 100 active licenses
- Paid plans from
- $199 / month
- Fee per sale
- None
- Billed on
- Active licenses
Best for: Companies licensing native or game-engine software, that need floating or air-gapped licensing.
Python: Python SDK (licensing SDK)
- Licensing SDKs for 9 platforms, Unity, Swift and Android included
- Floating licenses with a cloud or on-premise server
- Air-gapped licensing on Enterprise
Cryptolens
Licensing service
A licensing service from Sweden, now sold under the Devolens brand.
- Free tier
- Up to 10 active licenses
- Paid plans from
- €299 / month
- Fee per sale
- None
- Billed on
- Active licenses
Best for: Companies that need EU data residency, a reseller portal or on-premise license servers.
Python: Python SDK (licensing SDK)
- Data stored in the EU
- Licensing SDKs for .NET, Python, Java, Node.js, C++ and Go
- Floating licenses and on-premise license servers
Anystack
Sales, licensing and distribution platform
A platform to sell, license and distribute software, with a checkout on your Stripe account.
- Free tier
- No monthly fee, 15% per sale
- Paid plans from
- $39 / month
- Fee per sale
- 4% to 15%
- Billed on
- Active licenses
Best for: Developers who want checkout, licensing and auto-updates for Electron or PHP packages in one tool.
Python: Python integration (licensing SDK)
- Checkout, licensing and auto-updates in one tool
- Auto-updates for Electron through Squirrel or Electron Builder
- GitHub repository access for license holders
LimeLM
Licensing service
wyDay's licensing service, built around the TurboActivate and TurboFloat native libraries.
- Free tier
- Up to 10 activations in total
- Paid plans from
- $17 / month
- Fee per sale
- None
- Billed on
- Total activations
Best for: Native Windows, macOS and Linux apps, in languages like C++, C# or Delphi.
Python: TurboActivate (Python) (licensing SDK)
- Native libraries for Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD
- Guides for C, C++, C#, Delphi, Go, Java, Node.js, Python and more
- Paid plans from $17 per month
Polar
Merchant of record with license keys
An open source merchant of record for developers, with license keys as a benefit.
- Free tier
- No monthly fee, 5% + $0.50 per sale
- Paid plans from
- $20 / month
- Fee per sale
- 3.4% + $0.30 to 5% + $0.50
- Billed on
- Sales only
Best for: Developers selling subscriptions or digital products who want tax handled and an open source platform.
Python: polar-sdk (API client)
- Merchant of record: sales tax and VAT are handled for you
- Open source platform
- Customers rotate their keys and free their devices in the portal
Keygen
Licensing service
A licensing and distribution API, available as a cloud service or self-hosted.
- Free tier
- Up to 100 active licenses
- Paid plans from
- $99 / month
- Fee per sale
- None
- Billed on
- Licenses active in the last 90 days
Best for: Teams that need advanced licensing models, like floating or metered licenses, or want to self-host.
Python: through the REST API
- Floating, metered, user-locked and feature licenses
- Can be self-hosted, with an open source edition
- Hosts releases for Electron, Tauri, npm, PyPI, Docker and more
Lemon Squeezy
Merchant of record with license keys
A merchant of record for digital products, with license keys included.
- Free tier
- No monthly fee, 5% + $0.50 per sale
- Paid plans from
- -
- Fee per sale
- 5% + $0.50
- Billed on
- Sales only
Best for: Sellers who want tax handled for them and only need basic license keys.
Python: through the REST API
- Merchant of record: sales tax and VAT are handled for you
- Checkout, file delivery and license keys in one place
- No monthly fee
Moonbase
Merchant of record with license keys
A merchant of record with licensing, built for audio plugins and desktop software.
- Free tier
- No monthly fee, 5% + €1 per sale
- Paid plans from
- -
- Fee per sale
- 5% + €1
- Billed on
- Sales only
Best for: Audio plugin makers (JUCE) and desktop developers who want a store and licensing from the EU.
Python: through the REST API
- Merchant of record: VAT and sales tax are handled for you
- JUCE module for audio plugins
- Offline activations
Gumroad
Merchant of record with license keys
A store for creators selling digital products, with optional license keys.
- Free tier
- No monthly fee, 10% + $0.50 per sale
- Paid plans from
- -
- Fee per sale
- 10% + $0.50
- Billed on
- Sales only
Best for: Creators selling small apps, plugins or assets, who want the simplest setup.
Python: through the REST API
- No monthly fee and a quick setup
- Merchant of record: sales tax is handled for you
- Audience and marketplace features
Python support
A licensing SDK runs in your app and validates for you. An API client is a typed wrapper of the REST API.
| Technology | LicenseManager | LicenseSpring | Cryptolens | Anystack | LimeLM | Polar | Keygen | Lemon Squeezy | Moonbase | Gumroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Python | Python SDKAPI client | Python SDKLicensing SDK | Python SDKLicensing SDK | Python integrationLicensing SDK | TurboActivate (Python)Licensing SDK | polar-sdkAPI client | REST API | REST API | REST API | REST API |
| REST APIUsable from any language | YesWith an OpenAPI document | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | YesWith an OpenAPI document | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pricing compared
| Tool | Free tier | Paid plans from | Fee per sale | Billed on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LicenseManager | Up to 100 active licenses | €29 / month | None | Licenses active in the last 90 days |
| LicenseSpring | Up to 100 active licenses | $199 / month | None | Active licenses |
| Cryptolens | Up to 10 active licenses | €299 / month | None | Active licenses |
| Anystack | No monthly fee, 15% per sale | $39 / month | 4% to 15% | Active licenses |
| LimeLM | Up to 10 activations in total | $17 / month | None | Total activations |
| Polar | No monthly fee, 5% + $0.50 per sale | $20 / month | 3.4% + $0.30 to 5% + $0.50 | Sales only |
| Keygen | Up to 100 active licenses | $99 / month | None | Licenses active in the last 90 days |
| Lemon Squeezy | No monthly fee, 5% + $0.50 per sale | - | 5% + $0.50 | Sales only |
| Moonbase | No monthly fee, 5% + €1 per sale | - | 5% + €1 | Sales only |
| Gumroad | No monthly fee, 10% + $0.50 per sale | - | 10% + $0.50 | Sales only |
Compare the cost
Monthly cost of each tool for your sales, with the cheapest plan that fits.
That's €2,450 of sales per month.
- With LicenseManager, you'd pay €11.42 less per month: LimeLM is 11% more expensive.
- With LicenseManager, you'd pay €270 less per month: Cryptolens is 3.7x more expensive.
Per month, excluding VAT. Assumes one-time purchases and customers using your app for 4 months, with Stripe's fees for the tools that aren't a merchant of record.
Feature by feature
| Feature | LicenseManager | LicenseSpring | Cryptolens | Anystack | LimeLM | Polar | Keygen | Lemon Squeezy | Moonbase | Gumroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offline validationThe app can check a license without reaching the vendor's servers, usually with a signed file or token. | YesEd25519-signed tokens, checked offline | YesAir-gapped workflows on Enterprise | Yes | Not documented | Yes | NoKeys are validated with an API call | Yes | NoThe License API validates online | YesOffline activations, counted once per device | NoKeys are verified with an API call |
| Machine activation limitsA license can be limited to a number of devices, enforced by the service. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | YesOptional activation limits | Yes | YesActivation limit per product variant | Yes | NoThe verify API returns a uses count, your app enforces the limit |
| TrialsTime-limited licenses to let users try the app. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not documented | YesVerified trials | Yes | Yes | YesFree trials on subscriptions | Yes | YesFree trials on memberships |
| Perpetual licensesLicenses that never expire. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Updates for a limited timeCustomers keep the versions released while their license was valid, after it ends. | YesCustomers keep the last version released in their period | Not documented | Not documented | YesAccess limited to the latest release at expiry | Not documented | Not documented | Yes | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| Customer portalA page where customers find their keys and manage their devices on their own. | YesCustomers find their keys, free machines, cancel for a refund and manage their subscription | YesUser portal | Yes | YesCustomers activate and revoke their own devices | Not documented | Yes | Not documented | Yes | YesCustomers manage activations and downloads | YesCustomers find their purchases in their library |
| Money back guaranteeCustomers cancel a license on their own during a set period: it stops working and their payment is refunded. | YesSet in days on each offer, refunded through your Stripe account | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| Subscription licensesLicenses that renew with each recurring payment and stop when the subscription ends, without code on your side. | YesRecurring Stripe prices, valid while paid, every update included | YesRecurring Stripe prices create subscription licenses | YesRecurring billing module, extends licenses on each Stripe payment | NoRecurring packages are announced as coming soon | NoYou update an expiration field from your payment processor | YesLicense keys revoked when the subscription ends | NoYou renew and suspend licenses from your own Stripe webhook handler, or Zapier | YesKeys stay active while the subscription is, and expire with it | YesRecurring price variations, with a grace period on failed payments | NoThe verify API returns the membership's status: your app enforces it |
| Stripe integrationLicenses are created from Stripe payments with no code on your side. | YesEach Stripe payment or subscription creates a license and emails the key | Yes | Not documented | Yes | YesAlso PayPal, FastSpring, Skrill and authorize.net | NoPayments are processed by Polar | NoThrough Zapier, or your own webhook handler | NoPayments are processed by Lemon Squeezy | NoPayments are processed by Moonbase | No |
| Merchant of recordThe vendor sells on your behalf and handles sales tax and VAT for you. | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in checkoutA hosted checkout page sold with the tool. | NoUses your Stripe checkout or payment links | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AnalyticsDashboards of licenses, usage or revenue. | YesActive machines, versions, platforms, revenue, MRR and churn | Yes | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not documented | Yes |
| Test modeA separate environment or sandbox to build the integration. | Yes | YesDev environments | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | YesSandbox environment | YesCustom environments | Yes | Not documented | Not documented |
| Audit logA history of what happened to each license. | YesEvents on every license | YesFrom Business Plus | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Yes | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| File hosting and downloadsThe vendor hosts your installers or packages. | No | Not documented | Not documented | YesElectron, Electron Builder, Composer, npm and PyPI updates | Not documented | Yes | YesDocker, npm, RubyGems, PyPI, Tauri, Electron and binaries | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Outgoing webhooksYour server is notified of license events. | No | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not documented | YesPing notifications |
| Floating licensesA pool of seats shared by several machines, checked out and released. | No | YesCloud and on-premise floating server | Yes | Not documented | YesFrom the Plus plan, trials only below | No | Yes | No | Not documented | No |
| Usage meteringLicenses that count consumption, like API credits. | No | YesFrom Business Plus | Yes | Not documented | No | YesUsage quotas on license keys | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| SSO for your teamSign in to the dashboard with SAML or another identity provider. | No | Yes | YesSAML and SCIM on Enterprise | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | YesSAML on Ent tiers | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| Self-hostingRun the licensing server on your own infrastructure. | No | No | YesLicense Server add-on, for offline environments | No | Not documented | Not documented | YesKeygen CE (free) and Keygen EE (paid) | No | No | No |
| Open sourceThe service's source code is public. | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
How this page is built
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See if LicenseManager fits your app
Up to 100 active licenses for free, every feature included, no credit card.