Decision Factors
The decision of which license to get depends on the four key factors, outlined below. Each of those are explained in greater detail further down this page.
| #1 | Subscription or Perpetual | amCharts licenses can either be perpetual (purchase once, use forever) or annually-renewed subscriptions. |
| #2 | License type | There are four license types available: Basic, SaaS, OEM, and Extended OEM. Refer to the sections below for a detailed description and comparison table. |
| #3 | Products | Which products do you need? |
| #4 | Number of developer seats | How many people will be working with amCharts libraries at the same time? |
Subscription or Perpetual?
License as a Subscription
Subscription involves an initial fee and renewal fees every year. It can be cancelled and resumed any time.
When subscription is cancelled, your users can still use the stuff you created while it was still active. However, you may no longer use amCharts product for development, i.e. make any changes to existing things, or develop new ones.
For example, you purchased a subscription to add charts to a public website. The website was created and published within 6 months. No further changes are planned to website’s functionality. amCharts subscription can be safely terminated, as no further development work is planned that would require using amCharts product.
While subscription is active, you are also entitled to all upgrades we release to the product, including major versions.
Most license subscription (with the exception of Basic license), also come with an amPlus support service subscription at no extra charge. This means that as long as you have the subscription, you will also have access to the technical support. (this does not apply to Basic license, for which support service is an extra subscription if needed)
Choose subscription if:
- You need to minimize initial/ongoing license costs.
- Your project is time-limited.
- Ensure you always have the latest version of the product.
- Need a constant access to technical support.
Perpetual License
Perpetual license is purchased with a single fee, and never expires. Purchase once – use forever.
Once purchased, it gives the licensee a lifetime of development usage in their projects.
It also comes with a 1 year worth of free major version upgrades as well as lifetime of minor upgrades.
Most perpetual license types (except Basic license) include 1 year of complimentary subscription to amPlus technical support service. Once the initial 1 year runs out, you can either continue subscribing to the support service, or let it lapse – it’s completely optional.
Choose perpetual license if:
- You need a fixed fee, without recurring license fees.
- You have a long-game project, or multiple projects coming in the future.
License Type
amCharts offers 4 type of licenses that are tailored for various common scenarios:
- Basic
- SaaS
- OEM
- Extended OEM
The following paragraphs will describe each of those in greater detail. In case you’re not a big fan of reading, skip directly to the comparison table below, or contact us.
Universal non-limitations
All amCharts licenses have no limit on a number of servers, websites, products they are used in, as well as no limit on a number of their users.
Basic License
Basic license is meant for basic public websites users don’t have to log in into.
Example: A company’s corporate website, that displays info with charts – the same for all users.
Purchasing a Basic license will enable you to use amCharts product(s) in any number of such public websites that you develop.
SaaS (Software as a Service) License
SaaS license is meant for websites and web apps that require users to log in.
Examples: An online CRM tool. A company intranet.
Once purchased, you can use amCharts product(s) for any number of SaaS web applications as well as public websites.
OEM License
This is an all-inclusive license which allows using amCharts product(s) for any number of projects, including public web sites, closed web applications (SaaS), as well as any other type of application.
It allows using amCharts in redistributable apps, e.g. mobile apps, web apps that are sold to end-users, bundling as part of software for original hardware equipment, etc.
Examples: Mobile app sold in app stores. A BI app that is sold and installed on client’s servers. Management software for a hardware device.
Extended OEM License
This allows everything OEM License does, with addition of three other things:
- License coverage extends to licensee’s group of companies, i.e. it’s wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliated entities where licensee is a majority shareholder.
- amCharts products can be used in “white label” software products, where software developed by the licensee is sub-licensed to a 3rd party, who sell the software as their own.
- Use amCharts libraries in software development tools, i.e. tools that are used to generate other generic software, e.g. compilers, CMS, etc.
| Basic license | SaaS license | OEM license | Extended OEM license | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use in public websites, where users don't need to log in. | Use in SaaS (Software as a Service) websites, where user logins are required for access. | Use in redistributable mobile, desktop, or web apps. | Extend your OEM license to affiliates and 3rd party / whitelabel OEM products. | ||
| Usage limits | |||||
| Users | Unlimited |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Pages / Instances | Unlimited |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Public websites (Do not require user login) |
Unlimited |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| SaaS websites (Requires user login to access) |
- |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Redistributable Mobile, Desktop, or Web (SaaS) applications (SaaS - Software as a Service) |
- |
Single App or SaaS website license
- |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Physical servers | Unlimited |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Development, testing or staging servers / environments | Unlimited |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Subdomains | Unlimited |
Single App or SaaS website license
Unlimited |
OEM license
Unlimited |
Unlimited | |
| Individual developers working with the library | 1 |
Single App or SaaS website license
1 |
OEM license
1 |
1 | |
| Support & Upgrades | |||||
| Months of amPlus subscription included with purchase | - |
Single App or SaaS website license
12 |
OEM license
12 |
12 | |
| Access to amCharts support staff | Available to purchase |
Single App or SaaS website license
Yes |
OEM license
Yes |
Yes | |
| Included support hours | - |
Single App or SaaS website license
12 (per seat) |
OEM license
30 (per seat) |
90 (per seat) | |
| Free minor version upgrades (e.g.: V5.1 > V5.2) |
Yes |
Single App or SaaS website license
Yes |
OEM license
Yes |
Yes | |
| Free major version upgrades (e.g.: V5 > V6) |
While subscription is active. | ||||
| Includes previous versions (V4, V3) | Yes |
Single App or SaaS website license
Yes |
OEM license
Yes |
Yes | |
| Other | |||||
| Removable amCharts branding | Yes |
Single App or SaaS website license
Yes |
OEM license
Yes |
Yes | |
| Includes source code | Yes |
Single App or SaaS website license
Yes |
OEM license
Yes |
Yes | |
| Upgradable to other license type (by paying the difference in retail price) |
Yes |
Single App or SaaS website license
Yes |
OEM license
Yes |
Yes | |
| Extended Usage | |||||
| Use in software development tools | No |
Single App or SaaS website license
No |
OEM license
No |
Yes | |
| Can be used by purchaser and its affiliates | No |
Single App or SaaS website license
No |
OEM license
No |
Yes | |
| Use in 3rd party rebranded software | No |
Single App or SaaS website license
No |
OEM license
No |
Yes | |
Products
Currently amCharts offers three products:
- amCharts: Charts – Library, needed to create all basic and advanced chart types like XY, Pie, Radar, Gauge, etc. Product info.
- amCharts: Maps – Library, needed to create interactive geographical maps. Product info.
- amCharts: Stock Chart – Library to visualize stock as well as other time-based data, including analytical tools. Product info.
All products are standalone. Choose only those products that you will actually use for your project.
Developer Seats
Licenses
All amCharts licenses are “per developer seat”.
This means that each developer working with amCharts products will need a “seat” license for the amCharts product they are working with.
Example: You have a project building a SaaS tool that needs XY and Pie charts. There are tree developers working on the project. You will need 3 developer seats of amCharts: Charts product.
At any time, extra developer seats can be purchased and added to existing license subscriptions, or additional seats purchased for perpetual licenses.
Support
The per-seat approach extends to support service subscriptions, too.
License types that include complimentary support (SaaS, OEM, Extended OEM), the same number as license seats will also apply to number of people who will be able to contact amCharts support.
Still not sure?
Still not sure about which one to go with? Contact us.