License Types

There is a variety of license options, and the steps involved when installing can differ depending on which license type you have acquired. No license type restricts usage to just one operating system but you are able to choose to install on either Windows, macOS, or Linux. A COMSOL Multiphysics model file saved on one platform can be opened on another. Certain license types come with restrictions; make sure you know which license type you have before proceeding with the installation.


	All COMSOL licenses allow for multicore/multiprocessor shared-memory computing. How many cores or processors you can utilize is only limited by your hardware configuration and operating system. In the COMSOL Desktop you control the number of processors from the File menu (Windows) or Options menu (macOS and Linux), under Preferences>Multicore and Cluster Computing.


	For a full description and definition of the different license types, see the COMSOL Software License Agreement. All of the license types may not be available in your region.

COMSOL Multiphysics

The following is an overview of the license types for COMSOL Multiphysics:

Named Single User License (NSL)

The COMSOL Multiphysics software may be installed and operated on up to four (4) individual computers, provided it is only accessible to, and operated by, a single licensed user designated by us as the Named User for that license and provided that the Named User may concurrently use the software on only two (2) of those computers at any given time. For each computer, there is no restriction on the number of simultaneous sessions that the Named User may run.

-Locked Single User License (CPU)

You can install the COMSOL Multiphysics software on one designated computer and different users can take turns using the software on that computer, one user at a time. There is no restriction on the number of simultaneous sessions that the one user may run. The CPU version of the software may not be accessed or used over a network or remotely.

Floating Network License (FNL)

Licensed per concurrent user, you can install the software on as many machines on your network as needed within your country or territory. The COMSOL Multiphysics software can run on local computers, with the network used only for license authentication. Alternatively, you can run the software on a remote computer over your network. Support for remote computing includes using Windows® Remote Desktop. In addition, this license type allows access to the COMSOL computational engine using a client. For example, you can run the graphical user interface on an inexpensive local machine, while offloading the heavy computations to a remote high-end machine. Cluster and cloud computing is supported on Windows® and Linux® platforms. For local use, there is no restriction on the number of simultaneous sessions that one concurrent user may run. With respect to cluster computing and cluster sweeps, a single model may be run on multiple compute nodes with no restriction on the number of compute nodes.

Class Kit License (CKL)

Up to 30 teachers and students can run the software for classroom purposes over the school’s network where they access the license on-campus or through a secure remote connection.

COMSOL Compiler

The COMSOL Compiler is available under the following license types: Named Single User License (NSL), CPU-Locked Single User License (CPU), and Floating Network License (FNL). All those license types are described in the section above on COMSOL Multiphysics.

The following is an overview of the license types for COMSOL Server:

COMSOL Server License (CSL)

Licensed on a concurrent user basis. Each concurrent user may run up to four concurrent applications. The CSL version of the software enables you to run applications built with the Application Builder. The CSL allows you to host and run those applications within your organization and also to those outside your organization who time share your concurrent user slots, worldwide. Applications can be accessed through a major web browser on a variety of operating systems or a COMSOL client for the Windows® operating system. See System Requirements for detailed requirements.

Academic Server License (ASL)

Licensed on a 300 concurrent user basis, each concurrent user may run up to four concurrent applications. The ASL version of the software enables you to run applications built with the Application Builder. The ASL allows you to host and run those applications for students, faculty, and staff of your academic institution or of any other academic institution, worldwide.