Dyalog Run-Time Licences
If you distribute or share applications built with Dyalog outside your organisation, you’ll need a Run-Time Licence. This page explains when one is required and outlines the usage-based and royalty-based options available, helping you choose the model that best matches how your application is deployed.
When Do You Need a Run-Time Licence?
- Dyalog is used to implement multi-user applications (multi-user applications are defined as applications where the same data is shared by or exchanged between two or more users).
- Dyalog is used as a platform for applications that are distributed outside the organisation which holds the Commercial or Basic Licence – whether or not the developer charges a fee for the application and irrespective of whether the application is single or multi‑user.
Usage-Based Run-Time Licences
The Usage-Based Run-Time Licence charges an annual fee that depends on how it is deployed. We recognise that it is not always straightforward to quantify the number of users (for example) – that’s why we offer a range of metrics for measuring application usage. Our goal is to find a metric that is easy for you to measure and for us to verify if needed. We also want to ensure that your licensing is appropriate for your system architecture and deployment.
Two examples of Usage-Based Run-Time Licences are shown below. If neither of these suit the way that your business is organised, please contact us and we can work with you to identify a metric that can be used to determine a fair price structure for the required Run-Time Licences.
Each Dyalog File Server Licence includes the necessary Run‑Time Licence for the specified number of clients/users.
Usage-based Example 1: User-Based Run-Time Licences
If the number of end-users accessing your application is straightforward to determine, a User-Based Run-Time Licence is likely the simplest option.
Pricing is based on the number of end-users, starting from 20 users. This gives you some built-in flexibility to add or remove users without needing to contact us unless a new threshold is reached (see pricing table below).
A User-Based Run-Time Licence covers all relevant fees for that deployment regardless of how the user is accessing the application. For Facility Management Applications, where an organisation is running a service on behalf of several client organisations, appropriate Run-Time Licences are required for each distinct customer organisation.
These Run-Time Licences are priced on an individual user basis. If it is not possible to determine the number of users (for example, an application within a container or virtual machine), then an alternative Usage-Based Run-Time Licence or Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence might be more suitable.
User-Based Run-Time Licences | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
Up to 20 users | £1,125 |
Up to 50 users | £2,250 |
Up to 100 users | £3,750 |
Up to 250 users | £6,000 |
Up to 500 users | £9,750 |
500 or more users | Contact Sales |
Usage-based Example 2: Cloud-Based Run-Time Licences
When your application runs in the cloud, counting individual users can be difficult but measuring computing power is usually straightforward. Cloud applications typically run in separate containers, and your cloud provider will already be tracking resource usage in their dashboard. We can use this as the basis for pricing.
Examples include:
- a service where an application, that runs in the cloud, provides services available to users for a fraction of the working year (for example, applications running Jarvis or MiServer).
- use of internal or external cloud resources to accelerate or automate the execution of a workflow on behalf of a controlling process, but without providing a service that other users could connect to or receive data from. Examples include the use of isolate servers running in the cloud for parallel computation, or the execution of continuous integration tasks on the cloud.
In general, you pay Dyalog Ltd the same amount as you pay your cloud provider for the computing resources used to run Dyalog in the cloud. If those costs are not easily identifiable – please contact us to discuss pricing.
Royalty-Based Run-Time Licences
A Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence might be appropriate if you can easily measure the gross revenue you generate from APL-related sales, consulting, and services.
Under a Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence, we charge 2% of gross revenue from applications and services built with Dyalog where that annual revenue reaches or exceeds £5,000. For significantly larger revenue streams, the percentage can be negotiated.
The Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence covers all required Run-Time Licences for users of services or software delivered by the Royalty-Based Licence holder. In addition, the royalty covers support and upgrades for the licence holder. The licence requires a current Basic or Commercial Licence, and includes access to all Dyalog development environments.
This model works particularly well for start-ups, consultancies, and software vendors who need access to up-to-date Dyalog tools before a reliable revenue stream is established. It’s designed to give you room to grow – you only pay more as your business does.
Note that it is the license holder’s responsibility to report annual revenue to sales@dyalog.com.
The Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence is our default runtime licence. If no other runtime license is in place, this is the model that applies.
In the absence of the purchase of a suitable Run-Time Licence, the Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence will be applied as the default licence.
Royalty-Based Run-time Licences FAQ
Who can use a Royalty-Based Run-time Licence?
Any holder of a developer licence.
How is the royalty fee calculated?
2% of gross revenue from sales, consulting, and support of your Dyalog-based applications, where annual revenue reaches or exceeds £5,000.
What does the Royalty-Based Run-Time Licence include?
All necessary Run-Time Licences for your users, plus support, upgrades, and access to all development environments.
What if I don’t purchase a different Run-Time Licence?
The Royalty-Based model applies by default if no other Run-Time Licence has been agreed. In this situation, it is the licence holder’s responsibility to contact Sales@dyalog.com with annual revenue information
Unsure which Dyalog licence suits your needs? Our licence guide will help you to determine the most appropriate licence based on your intended use. Whether for personal learning, research, or commercial development, we’ll help you to make an informed choice.
If you’re not sure which option is right for you, we’re here to help. Use our interactive Licence Guide, email us at sales@dyalog.com, call +44 1256 830030, or send us a message, and we will work with you to ensure that you have the most appropriate licence.
Jada Andrade, Administration Assistant
