Licenz vs Wibu CodeMeter
The same enterprise security as CmDongle, delivered in software. No USB dependencies, no lost keys, no 5-minute lockout penalties.
The Anti-Dongle Manifesto
Lost & Damaged Keys
Small USB dongles disappear. Replacements mean downtime.
USB Port Issues
Disconnects every 60 seconds. Hub conflicts. Boot hangs.
Security Lockouts
5-minute lockout after too many auth attempts. Work stops.
Shipping & Logistics
International orders. Customs delays. Inventory management.
Built for air-gapped manufacturing
80-90% of industrial CodeMeter deployments still rely on hardware dongles.
There's a better way.
Factory Floor Ready
Your CNC machines, PLCs, and production lines shouldn't stop because someone misplaced a USB stick.
True Offline Security
Hardware-bound licenses that work completely offline. File-based activation for air-gapped networks.
Auditable Security
Open source client means your security team can verify exactly what's running on your systems.
15+ Year Lifecycle
Software licenses are future-proof. No dongles becoming obsolete as form factors change.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Licenz | Wibu CodeMeter |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Requirements | ||
| USB Dongle Required | No | Optional (CmDongle) |
| Hardware Inventory | None | Dongles to track |
| Shipping Logistics | Instant digital | Physical shipping |
| USB Driver Issues | No issues | Common problem |
| Security | ||
| Hardware Binding | ||
| Encryption Standard | AES-256-GCM | AES-128 |
| Signature Algorithms | RSA + Ed25519 | ECC 224-bit |
| Open Source Client | ||
| Time-Tampering Protection | ||
| Air-Gap / Offline | ||
| Full Offline Operation | ||
| File-Based Activation | ||
| No USB Dependencies | ||
| Developer Experience | ||
| Setup Complexity | Copy binary, run | Runtime + config |
| Runtime Service | None | CodeMeter daemon |
| Documentation Quality | Developer-first | "Not very vocal" |
| Integration Time | 10 minutes | "Initially difficult" |
| License Types | ||
| Perpetual | ||
| Subscription | ||
| Floating / Concurrent | ||
| Feature Flags | ||
Stop paying for hardware you don't need
Every dongle is a liability, not an asset
Wibu CodeMeter Costs
- SDK (SDK+) €1,000 / 6 months
- CmDongle Hardware $20-50+ each
- License Central (Hosted) €/month based on tier
- Annual Maintenance 12-25% of license
- Dongle Replacements Ongoing cost
Licenz Costs
- Enterprise Plan From $12k/year
- Hardware $0 (not needed)
- Hosting Included (or self-host)
- Maintenance Included
- Replacements N/A (no hardware)
Already using CodeMeter?
Same license models. Zero hardware baggage.
Map Your Licenses
Single, floating, named user, subscription - we support the same models
Transition Gradually
Run both systems in parallel. Migrate customers at their next renewal.
Retire the Dongles
No more USB inventory. No more replacement shipments. Just software.
"We had dongles get lost on factory floors, dongles that failed after 2 AM shifts, dongles stuck in customs. Switching to Licenz meant our customers could activate instantly, and we stopped getting support calls about USB port problems."
Ready to ditch the dongles?
Enterprise security without the hardware headaches.